Learning to Love Myself!

Hey @Oaktree , sounds like you've found some great things for you going forward ❤️ I really love the idea of eating our colours! This thread has also helped me a today, so thank you everyone ❤️

And thank you @Bow for these words. I definitely needed the reminder today. It's taken me a really long time to get to "body neutrality", but it has been really life changing for me. And the idea that food doesn't have a label, like good or bad, has also brough so much joy to my life!

Also just a little guidelines reminder for @Christheart and @Oaktree! To keep everyone super safe, our safety guidelines are that we don't mention recommending diets or descriptive weight loss/gain strategies. You can refresh on the guidelines here if you'd like.

I'm wondering which ideas from this thread you'll find useful which fit with these guidelines?

Big hugs,

TuxedoCat

Take care, @Oaktree. Just use common sense and take it slowly.

Hi @Bow

Thanks for your thoughts. So sorry if I have triggered you. Yes I think I do have disordered eating in that I am addicted to food. I believe that this is because my Mother constantly had me on diets even though I was a normal weight. I learnt to crave foods that weren’t healthy for me and I used to think about all the things I would eat when I was no longer controlled by her. It set up a very unhealthy pattern in my life. I too have a daughter and have never made weight an issue with her. I have never put her on a diet or made food good or bad. As a result she is of normal size. I am glad that I have broken the cycle with her.
I have never heard of body neutrality but it’s something I definitely think I will work on. It seems more reachable than the need to love my body. It’s not just my body that I don’t love though, it’s me in general. I feel like I am a nice person and a good friend but I just don’t like myself. I think I need to make changes. I need to practice some acceptance.

I was thinking not of restricting myself from any particular kind of food as I think you are right, that just leads to trouble later. I was going to go with the more Mediterranean type style of eating. That doesn’t cut whole food groups out and I might allow myself one treat per week as well.

Thanks for your response,

Love,

Meggle

Hi @FloatingFeather

I will try and come up with 5 things that I like about myself but it might be hard. Let’s try now hey?

1) I like my dark blue eyes ( they made my husband fall in love with me)

2) I like my smile and dimples (is that one or two things?)

3) I like that I am able bodied and can walk and get around easily

4) I like my laugh (it seems to be infectious)

5) I like that I am strong and fairly resilient

oh boy those last two were tough! Took a while to think of.

Thanks for this challenge!

lots of love,

Meggle

Hi @hanami

Thankyou for your support. Yes the diet industry has a lot to answer for. It causes a lot of problems with many people I suspect.

Kind regards,

Meggle

Thankyou @Christheart

I would love to try and cut out sugar but it seems to be in everything and the idea is just too daunting. My best friend has cut out sugar because she is allergic to it and it gives her terrible headaches. She cooks most things from scratch. It just seems like a lot of work. Maybe I will just try reducing it.
Thankyou for reminding me to treat myself as I would a friend of mine. I think that is useful.

Thanks so much for your response.

love,

Meggle

Hi @Former-Member

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes we do sail awfully close to the guidelines don’t we? I was mindful of them when making my post as I don’t want to get into any bother.
I have found so many things that other forumites have said to be useful. Body neutrality definitely being one of those. I think the others on this forum have so much wisdom and personal experience. It’s great to get such a wide range of input.

Thanks for being part of our discussion.

With much respect,

Meggle

It can be tricky can't it @Oaktree but I LOVE this thread. There are so many useful, positive things in here. So thank you to everyone sharing, and keep it coming ❤️

@Former-Member @Oaktree

Oh no I'm sorry 😞

I think we are fine @Christheart

They take down anything that offends the rules and sends them back to you for correction.

Don’t feel bad.

sending love and light,

Meggle