a success story: self-perception

Here's a funny thing:  I find myself feeling better about my body more and more.

I haven't made great strides toward my goals, and although I've been faithful in my routines (exercise, skin brushing), I haven't lost any dress sizes just yet.  Don't worry, I'm not discouraged.  I'm mostly feeling good about how I'm eating, though of course no one can eat perfectly all the time.  At present things are holding pretty steady - my efforts as well as my waistline.

But here's the interesting part.  It seems that the more tender care I take of my physical self, the more I am able to overlook the flaws I still see reflected in the mirror.

Take skin brushing, for example.  Each morning I am taking a few minutes to tend to my skin.  To go through a specific routine, to cater to my feet, legs, stomach, etc.  As I work my way through...it almost feels like a love letter to my body.  It's as if I'm saying: "You're worth it.  I believe in you.  I want to take care of you."  Perhaps it seems far-fetched, but as I take the time to do this, and the other things I've made a priority, I'm  growing an appreciation for my tangible form.  For my shape.

I suppose maybe it's something like praying for one's enemy.

But my body is not my enemy - although it has seemed so at times in the past.  It's a part of my human self.  It has served me well; it continues to serve me well.

It's true that I am seeing some differences.  The brushing is helping, and so is the regular exercising.  I see toning where there was scarce before; I can feel that I am stronger.  And when I make wise choices about the foods I put into my body, I feel better on many different levels.  There is progress here - slow, steady, but not altogether intangible.

And so, I believe I've had some success.  Not so much in hard, cold numbers - the scale, the measurements, the figures on the tags of my clothing - but in my attitude.  In my heart.  In my level of acceptance, appreciation, and ...yes, joy.   I am learning to take joy in my shape again.

It's all so worth it.  Maybe I will be a success story after all.

on skin brushing

In yesterday's post, I mentioned that I've taken up the habit of skin brushing.  It later came to my attention that I neglected to give any details about how I do it, or with what kind of brush, etc.    So here's a humble follow-up post with a few details filled in.  You are so welcome!

Please do keep in mind that I'm certainly no expert; I've only been doing this for a few weeks, myself.  But the more I read, the more I realize that it really is a "done thing."  And I am really seeing results!  I wish I'd taken photos before I began skin brushing - but I truly was so skeptical that I didn't think it was worth it.  Happily, I was wrong.

The Brush
Over and over I see references to a natural bristle brush.  They're available from Amazon.com, but I found mine at the local natural food store New Seasons.   Mine has a long handle...but I almost wish it didn't.  It rather gets in the way.  A short handle or no handle works great too.  Here's the one I have:

The observant reader will notice that I'm missing one "plug" of bristles.  I blame our cats.  Or one of them anyway.

The Routine
I heard about this crazy skin brushing thing through Teresa Tapp.  HERE is the method I've been using.  She also has a kit you can purchase on the T-Tapp website which includes instructions and several other items, but I'm doing the budget-conscious version.

It would seem that it's best to brush when your skin is dry, and follow up with a shower - to wash those sloughed skin cells away.  I have looked at a few different sets of directions, and from what I understand, the main thing is to brush from the extremities toward the heart.  For problem areas (referring to cellulite) you can move the brush in a circular motion, but one should always finish with long strokes.  Use several repetitions in each spot.


That's really all I know.  As I've stated, I am a skin brushing novice - but also a convert.   That being said, I next plan to purchase a facial skin brush.  If skin brushing can make such a difference on serious problem areas, I can only imagine how it might impact the face and neck.  Here's hoping, anyway!

be kind

Why are we, as women, so cruel to ourselves?

The other day I spoke with a woman, and in the course of our conversation, she referred to herself as "chubby." I'm telling you, friends, this lady did not have ten pounds to lose. I would describe her as willowy...slender...slim. But she didn't see herself that way. Not at all.

For the past few months I've been mulling over the issue of women, weight, and society. The subject came up because the women's Bible study group I'm part of is doing Beth Moore's Esther study. It is phenomenal. The full title is "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman."

And boy, is it ever. Especially when we measure ourselves against society's standard instead of God's.

In the study book, she talks about the young girls gathered in Persia (Esther 2). They're described as "beautiful." So...beautiful. Young. And then what? They're given 12 months of beauty treatments. Bear in mind that these young ladies were already beautiful. They weren't the girls who needed "help." Alright...maybe they could've benefited from a new hairstyle. Perhaps their feet were a bit calloused...everybody can use a nice foot soak, right? But really...12 months? It seems rather excessive.

Perhaps the Persians suffered from the same quest for perfection which we modern women do. There is such pressure on us: often pressure we heap upon our own over-processed heads.

So, when I heard the word "chubby," that day, I immediately thought, "Why are we so cruel to ourselves?"

This is not a foreign concept to me. I've been plenty cruel to myself over the years. When I lost 60 lbs from 1998-2000, I did it through cruelty. I deprived myself. I didn't let myself eat anything that was truly delicious. And worst of all, I was mean. I called myself names. If I slipped up on my diet, I was merciless. No personal trainer could've shamed me more than I shamed myself.

And that's been so much a part of my relationship with my body, with food. When I "messed up," I would shame myself. If I wasn't the size I wanted to be, I would shame myself. Maybe if I was ashamed enough, I would shape up. Maybe if I was ashamed enough, I would behave myself.

It worked, sometimes. But the thing is, it didn't really work, not in any way that counts. Because in treating myself that way, I devalued myself. I treated myself like something - a thing - which must be beaten into submission. Instead of what I am: a vessel shaped by the hands of the Potter.

Health is important. Absolutely. America is in a health crisis. We need to seek health, to take care of these bodies we live in here on earth...no doubt about it.

Still. Let's learn to be kind to ourselves. To love ourselves. Let's give ourselves some grace. For the sake of our children, let's be gentle with ourselves. Ladies, I challenge you to go stand in front of a mirror. Start at the top, and spend some time thanking the Lord for his wonderful creativity. The way He created our eyelashes. How our joints work. The intricacy of the human hand. Thank Him for the way your body has supported your children - both before and after they were born. Thank Him for the ability to hold hands, stroke a cheek, embrace someone you love.

With all their "flaws," our bodies are amazing.

There's nothing wrong with putting your best foot forward. Accentuating your best features. Playing to your strengths. Yes, be healthy. Nourish yourself.

But please...accept who you are a precious child of God, exactly the way you are. Right now, in this moment. Not a few pounds down the road. Not just before you had the baby. But right now.

Sister, you are loved. Cherished, precious, exactly as you are. You can rest in that promise.