I Accept Myself. No, For Real.

I recently read this article in Elephant Journal in which a yoga instructor discusses her path toward learning to accept herself for real. As an early developing, athletic girl, she always considered herself “fat,” until she finally stopped pushing herself to workout due to guilt, at what her body wanted, and lost weight. Even then, though, the instructor felt she accepted herself only due to her new slimmer waistline. Years later, she suddenly gained 20 pounds but, rather than attempt to lose it, she finally accepted that the new weight was where her body wanted to be, and decided to try to accept herself regardless of her weight.

This story resonated deeply with me. As someone who has struggled with body image for the last decade, I’ve finally started to experience the liberation of valuing health over weight. In the last year, I’ve started eating healthfully and I’ve stopped obsessively counting calories and depriving myself of critical nutrients. And I’ve gained some weight. I knew that would be the case, and I also know I’m happier and healthier now than I ever was when I was counting calories. But even as recently as a few days ago, I considered going on a “quick” diet. It would only be for a week or two, I told myself, then it would be back to my regular, healthy eating habits. It is very tempting to go down that road, but I know where it leads. Letting that critical, obsessive voice back in could be my ticket into relapse. And even if that’s not the case, even if I actually did only diet for a week, that would be a decision made out of self-judgment and an inability to accept and value myself for who I am. And as difficult as it is to resist temptation, I know I deserve better.

Read more: Beauty, Body Image, Guidance, Inspiration, Self-Help, Spirit

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

J.L. A.

8:18AM PST on Mar 8, 2012

And then one must remember that muscle weighs more than fat, too

send a green star

Kari K.

1:56PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

Thanks!!

Kath R.

6:27AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

Repeat each day "I accept myself, just the way I am".

Sue M.

5:43AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

thanks

Becca M.

5:59PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

Thanks for sharing!

Emil P.

6:14AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

Thanks for sharing

Brittany F.

5:24AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

Thanks!

Lara K.

4:42AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I accept myself too, but I still want to lose weight (and quit smoking and drinking). I know I am slightly overweight for a variety of reasons. Accepting yourself doesn't necessarily mean not trying to improve in areas where you need to improve, I think it means being sensible and not beating yourself up for things that are out of your control, but changing what you can.

Vicky P.

1:40PM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Cindy B.

11:38PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

YES... I accept myself too. Problem is, there are several "me's" on the doing side, and several "me's" on the judging side. Some of those "me's" have been mightily influenced by what society expects, how it reacts, how it judges, what it deems worthy of rewards. A lot of that stuff I internalized years ago, so I react to myself and judge myself the same way society does, even though sometimes I'd sure rather not. And even if I hadn't internalized those values/expectations, I'd still notice the pure cause-and-effect dynamic. If I want certain rewards in life, I know what I have to do -- even if it seems unfair, cruel, shallow, "not the real me," etc. If I truly want 'em, but somehow can't or won't do what's necessary to get 'em, then yes, I do judge myself rather harshly.

Other "me's," of course, know all the worthy, interesting, charming stuff about me and can't help loving me for it.... so screw 'em if they can't take a joke!

As I said: YES -- I accept myself too. But it's getting the right pair of "me's" together at any given time that's the challenge!