Comments on: Of self-image, and images of self. http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/2010/01/21/of-self-image-and-images-of-self/ Sugar, spice, and really rather a lot of mud. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:22:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: dw http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/2010/01/21/of-self-image-and-images-of-self/comment-page-1/#comment-162 dw Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:34:06 +0000 http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/?p=598#comment-162 Um. Ok. You have just described me. Or, me three years ago, more specifically. I am "allergic" to photos, as I am not terribly overweight, so much as just really un-photogenic (double/triple chins? oh yes). I hurt my back several years ago and all desire to engage in physical activity simply died. I went on like this, gaining weight veeeeery slowly, until I peaked at 175 pounds (I am 5'-2") and started having to wear my husband's pants (34" waist). That's when I decided that it was ENOUGH. I was not going to be my mother (who is zaftig and has spent much of her adult life fighting weight gain) and I was not going to be disabled at the age of 27. I took up ashtanga yoga. I was frightened and I was intimidated, but the minute I walked in the door, I felt AT HOME. My body became my own, again. Do you remember being 6 years old and running in the playground and swinging on the monkey bars and not questioning what your body could do? You know, that "I'm sure I can be faster than the boys, I just need to TRY a liiiiittle bit harder" feeling? THAT'S how this yoga makes me feel. Invincible. Strong. Young. Fast. Energized. I weigh 152 pounds, now. Without really trying, I've lost over 20 pounds. Just eating less, only eating sweets or junk once a week (one treat meal). I don't have any more back pain. I was in a car accident 3 months ago and walked away, KNOWING (not just hoping) that I was going to be just fine and that I wasn't really hurt. Three years ago, I started out not being able to bend over and reach my ankles. Now, I can do this: http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-sequences/primary-series-yoga-chikitsa/item/kukkutasana/ I am not afraid anymore. I don't care what the scale tells me (the only reason I know how much I weigh is that I recently had a physical exam and the doctor told me). I know what I need to do to feel good and I WANT to do it. Feeling good is more important to me than anything else, right now. I am Celiac and I respect that. I don't eat anything processed and if I can't find a healthy, gluten-free snack, I don't snack. I have a cup of tea, instead. I'm sorry to hijack your comments section, but this really strikes close to home for me and I just had an overwhelming urge to chime in. I completely understand your struggle and I can empathize in every way. I offer you my support and my best wishes. If there's any way that I can help (how? I have no idea..), please don't hesitate to drop me a line. You can do it!!! Um. Ok. You have just described me. Or, me three years ago, more specifically. I am “allergic” to photos, as I am not terribly overweight, so much as just really un-photogenic (double/triple chins? oh yes). I hurt my back several years ago and all desire to engage in physical activity simply died. I went on like this, gaining weight veeeeery slowly, until I peaked at 175 pounds (I am 5′-2″) and started having to wear my husband’s pants (34″ waist). That’s when I decided that it was ENOUGH. I was not going to be my mother (who is zaftig and has spent much of her adult life fighting weight gain) and I was not going to be disabled at the age of 27.

I took up ashtanga yoga. I was frightened and I was intimidated, but the minute I walked in the door, I felt AT HOME. My body became my own, again. Do you remember being 6 years old and running in the playground and swinging on the monkey bars and not questioning what your body could do? You know, that “I’m sure I can be faster than the boys, I just need to TRY a liiiiittle bit harder” feeling? THAT’S how this yoga makes me feel. Invincible. Strong. Young. Fast. Energized.

I weigh 152 pounds, now. Without really trying, I’ve lost over 20 pounds. Just eating less, only eating sweets or junk once a week (one treat meal).

I don’t have any more back pain. I was in a car accident 3 months ago and walked away, KNOWING (not just hoping) that I was going to be just fine and that I wasn’t really hurt.

Three years ago, I started out not being able to bend over and reach my ankles. Now, I can do this:

http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-sequences/primary-series-yoga-chikitsa/item/kukkutasana/

I am not afraid anymore. I don’t care what the scale tells me (the only reason I know how much I weigh is that I recently had a physical exam and the doctor told me). I know what I need to do to feel good and I WANT to do it. Feeling good is more important to me than anything else, right now. I am Celiac and I respect that. I don’t eat anything processed and if I can’t find a healthy, gluten-free snack, I don’t snack. I have a cup of tea, instead.

I’m sorry to hijack your comments section, but this really strikes close to home for me and I just had an overwhelming urge to chime in. I completely understand your struggle and I can empathize in every way. I offer you my support and my best wishes. If there’s any way that I can help (how? I have no idea..), please don’t hesitate to drop me a line. You can do it!!!

]]> By: Earthenwitch http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/2010/01/21/of-self-image-and-images-of-self/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Earthenwitch Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:29:13 +0000 http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/?p=598#comment-39 Hello thar, and thank you for the de-lurk; you're quite right, of course, about the chocolate, and also about the need to shake things off; it can take a while, but hopefully I'm on track... :) Hello thar, and thank you for the de-lurk; you’re quite right, of course, about the chocolate, and also about the need to shake things off; it can take a while, but hopefully I’m on track… :)

]]> By: bring me sunshine http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/2010/01/21/of-self-image-and-images-of-self/comment-page-1/#comment-38 bring me sunshine Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:00:53 +0000 http://www.earthenwitch.co.uk/?p=598#comment-38 Hello, Ally sent me over this way a while back, thought it was high time I delurked and said hello. I completely agree about the influence that our parents' habits have on us as children. I'm still trying to shake off my mother's bad habits, even though I left home over a decade ago. But it sounds like you're taking the right approach, identifying the problem and all that. PS - there's nothing wrong with enjoying chocolate. That's why it was invented :D Hello, Ally sent me over this way a while back, thought it was high time I delurked and said hello.

I completely agree about the influence that our parents’ habits have on us as children. I’m still trying to shake off my mother’s bad habits, even though I left home over a decade ago. But it sounds like you’re taking the right approach, identifying the problem and all that.

PS – there’s nothing wrong with enjoying chocolate. That’s why it was invented :D

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