Dear Readers, Within the last two years I have begun to care more about my body and this has led to healthier eating and regular exercise. It started with my husband finding and implementing the paleo diet in our lives. It should not be work to love yourself just as you are, but given my childhood and upbringing and the constant echoes of “if you would just lose the weight, you have such a pretty face” Even now, I feel a hot tear starting down my face as I type that but I am casting this demon into the light and sharing in hopes that it will be terrified of the light and scamper off like an unwanted cockroach. For starters, does this look like a child with a weight problem to you? 
I have not been practicing this art very long (*2 years in the span of 38 is not even a third of one’s life) so to truly believe it will take time and the forming of a habit. I decided to go for it this week and just eat exactly what I wanted to eat.
Why am I telling you this? I hopes my honesty with a difficult subject will help you be honest with yourself and love yourself more. In a culture that constantly tells men and women to feel bad about ourselves, or to strive to look better or do better or exercise more, I really want to accept myself just as I am. It’s an ongoing quest in the battle for love of self and the end of food shame.
I am not saying that I am going to stop eating well altogether or exercising but after a refresher from the book, “French Women Don’t Get Fat” by Mireille Guiliano, I am reminded of the importance of her main concept which is “bien dans sa peau” which roughly translated is feeling well in your own skin.. or loving yourself as you are.
Much like the title character in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, “Eat, Pray, Love” I am not going for obesity but am DONE with the guilt. Now I have to keep saying that to believe it.
So I will not be beating myself up for the last week and rather call it what it was. “Vacation from Health” and now the new normal is eating healthy and no longer thinking or calling myself fat at all. I AM NOT FAT! I know that I am not the only one who struggles with this so please give me your best tips and tricks and ideas to share.. I am eager to hear YOUR stories and about YOUR journey with this issue.
Please comment below or email me at jenniferhastonsays@gmail.com
Haston Helping Hands 
I’m on the paleo diet myself, and I’m so sick and tired of people assuming I’m a nut for it.
The point of the Paleo diet is, and I feel some people forget this, to not only diet, but to eat delicious foods at the same time. It’s the only diet I’ve come across that cuts out food groups, yet still focusses on everyone’s need to eat great food.
I’m a real foodie, and would not survive on any other diet, but Paleo has been very good for me. I’ve written about one of my favourite cookbooks: http://cookbook-reviews.net/review-the-paleo-recipe-book/
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Thanks Katie! That is a great point!!! I appreciate your insight and sharing the article with me! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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this is a powerful article and thanks for sharing this struggle, as i’ve experienced it too. about 4 years ago i lost 45lbs through changing up my lifestyle and eating healthier with of course working out. not only do i feel WAY better emotionally but also physically.
one thing that really bothers me is when i choose to select healthier options at restaurants or decline the second cookie, some people have said “oh you don’t need to lose any more weight, chelsea!”
people can be making healthy choices without trying to fit in a certain size or be a certain weight. will power is something that IS NOT easy for me but i know by making healthier choices, i feel better so it’s frustrating when people assume i’m trying to eat healthier to attempt to lose weight. it’s a tricky thing. blah. let’s just love ourselves as we are 🙂
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Thank you Chelsea!! This is exactly what I mean- Everyone has their own reasons for their food choices- don’t judge or try to talk them out of it!
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