My Body Image

I have been working lately at changing my body image.

No, I am not changing how my body looks.  Well...I am, but that's because I am pregnant and by body is growing and changing on it's own.

But more and more I am focusing on mentally accepting my body for what it is and appreciating its beauty.  Moving beyond what the media says is "ideal" and appreciating my own normal.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I want to throw caution to the wind, eat everything I desire and sit on the couch watching my favorite shows.  For me, part of my love of my body has come from knowing that I am treating it right - making healthful choices and staying active. If I know that I am taking care of my body, I feel more at ease with the shape that it gives me.

Part of the reason that I have been working on changing my mental "ideal" is for me.  I want to be happy "Being Sara."  But another, bigger reason that I want to accept myself is that I want to teach my children that there are many types of beauty - and that's okay.  Most of all, I want them to have a mother who is confident in the way that she looks and feels about herself.  I am hoping that in the long run, I can set an example and help them build their own confidence.

A few days ago, I posted on my personal Facebook something that my son said to me.  I was bending over to pick up a few toys and he stated, "Mom, having a baby suuuuuure makes your bum big."

It was a cute little anecdote from my kiddo that points out the honesty of children.  I really thought it was quite amusing. 

However, what I didn't post was my response.  I straightened up, turned, looked at him, and smiled.  I said, "You're right, it does!  Look at how big and soft and squishy it's becoming."  At this point I actually squeezed my bum.  "It's going to be so soft and comfy for the baby when it comes out.  Isn't it beautiful?"

My son nodded and smiled and then innocently asked, "Can I feel how squishy it is?"

"Sure!"  I let him squeeze it a few times and he giggled.  It WAS kind of silly, but I think it made a good point.  "Don't you think the baby will like that?" I asked.

He once again nodded vigorously.

"Yup, daddy likes mommy's bum too.  He thinks it's big and soft and beautiful.  Right daddy?"

At which point my husband chimed in that he absolutely loved my bum.

I'll admit, a few years ago I don't think I would have responded this way.  It probably would have hurt my feelings and I would have told my son that it wasn't a kind thing to say.  But this isn't the first conversation that my son and I have had about bodies and sizes.  In this last year I have been much more generous about myself when we discuss bodies and I must say, I like the new approach so much better.  It not only helps my child have a healthier understanding of bodies, but it helps me feel better about my own in the process.

I have seen this approach pay off in little ways.  Not long ago, my husband was getting ready to go out walking.  "Why are you going for a walk?" my son asked.

"Because I'm fat," my husband responded.

My son frowned, "Fat's not a nice word, daddy.  You are big and soft and beautiful."

I was so proud of him at that moment!  I can only hope that the things we discuss now will stick with both him and my daughter throughout the years.  I hope that I can even provide a least a tiny bit of a buffer for them through life when the world will often tell them that only one type of beautiful is acceptable.  And I hope to continue working with myself on my own acceptance.

Today I challenge you. Sometime this week I want you to look in the mirror at yourself.  Really look.  Notice the gentle shapes, the curves, the angles.  I want you to find 3 things that you find beautiful.  Then I want you to go further.  Find 2 more things - things that you hadn't really thought of as beautiful before - and try to find their own unique beauty.  Perhaps it's a bum that's big and soft and squishy.  Maybe it's the gentle curve of your shoulder or the smoothness of your back.  Or it could even be the excess flab on your tummy, full of stretchmarks, that speaks of babies being grown and cared for.

Have you every really noticed how amazing your body is?

Because it is. 

It is remarkable and beautiful all in its own way. 

YOU are beautiful.

The Power Of Habit

Last week I posted this link on our Spank the Pounds Facebook page.  I follow this blog, Afford Anything, regularly and while it is, in fact, about finances, the author made a great point concerning food consumption and habits.

I found this rather interesting.  What habits were causing me to eat more sweets?  You should all know by now that sweets are my big temptation.

For the last week I decided to track my habitual cues every time I craved something sweet.  I found that most of my factors also fluctuated, but the factor that was most consistent for me was preceding action.  Here are the top three things that signal sweet time to me:

Spying Sweets. This was a big one.  Every time I walked into the kitchen or opened a cupboard and saw something sweet, I instantly thought, "Oooh, that sounds yummy."  I also found Pinterest to be a big pitfall because I cannot seem to log on without spotting a delicious dessert of some kind or another.  The solution?  Stop keeping sweets readily available.  (And maybe un-follow a few Pinterest boards.)

Completing meals.  I can definitely see the habit in this.  Our family consistently has a "treat" after almost every meal.  My sister-in-law once remarked to me that her family never had treats so regularly and, once she married my brother, she found it easy to fall into desiring a treat after every meal.  It's now a habit.  The solution? Find another, healthful option to signal the end of meal-time.  Perhaps some fruit?

Putting the kids to bed. Hmmmm, treats are apparently my way of finishing things up. In this case, it is a reward for a job, well...done.  Once the kids are in bed, I want to relax and do something for me.  The solution?  Once again, find another, healthful option to signal I'm done for the day.  Maybe a short round of yoga?  Some cold cucumber water?  Warm milk with a bit of honey?

This was an interesting exercise for me.  I have identified my own personal triggers and can now hopefully come up with some solutions that will help me form new habits.  I will have to think more on the actual habits I want to replace sweets with.  In the meantime, I think I will take myself off to the library and check out Charles Duhigg's book for more information.

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

I found this recipe in a magazine.

Sadly...I can't remember which one.

It was either Cooking Light or Clean Eating.

I'm leaning toward Clean Eating.

Either way, both of these magazines are great resources for some healthy recipes.  They typically have the calorie content included with the recipe so that you know what you're getting yourself into.

Here's one I tried today which both my husband and I loved!  Here is how I prepared it (slightly different than what they had).

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup grainy mustard (I used normal mustard...I don't like it grainy)
7 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp thyme
pinch cayenne pepper
2 lb chicken
2 tbsp almonds (I didn't have any, so I left this off)
2 tbsp fresh parsley (again...didn't have any)

In small bowl, mix garlic, mustard, honey, thyme, and cayenne.  Coat chicken with mixture and refigerate 8 hours.  (They had you leave off 1/3 of the mixture and add it to the tops later.  I skipped this step and it was still quite flavorful.)

Arrange oven rack in the highest position.  Line baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray.
Remove chicken from marinade.  Shake of excess marinade and transfer it to the baking sheet.

Broil 7-10 minutes till the tops are golden.  Turn and broil 3-5 more minutes.

Sprinkle with almonds and parsley.  Serve.

One small chicken breast = about 123 calories

Recipe - Honey Lime Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Need a new meal idea?

Here's one that I tried and it was yummy and healthy!

First, I made this Honey Lime Chicken. (Yum!)

                      I cooked up 3 chicken breasts (264 calories each).

To assemble:

Grab a romaine lettuce leaf (3 calories).

Layer on 4 or 5 cucumber slices (7-8 calories).

Add a sprinkling of mozzarella, about 1/8 cup (45 calories).

Take 1/2 of a chicken breast, shred it, and add to the top (132 calories).

Then just roll up your lettuce leaf and enjoy!

Each wrap add up to about 188 calories.

Not too shabby.

I just threw this together with what I had in my kitchen, but make changes as you like.  Maybe add some peppers?  A different cheese?  Tomatoes?

Mmmm, so many possibilities!


*calories are approximate

Saturday Suggestion

So you want a good workout, eh?

Well, I have one word for you.

Zumba!

Oh my goodness, do I love Zumba. I had heard people raving about how fun it was so my friend, Jen, and I found a local class at Starlet Dance Studio. It was priced reasonably and not too far from where we live.

Last week we went for our first Zumba experience.

It. was. amazing.

Not only tons of fun if you like to dance (I seriously had a big ol' goofy grin on my face the whole time) but it is an excellent workout.

At one point I was tired and running out of breath and was thinking it may be close to over so I glanced at the clock. Nope! I had only been going 25 minutes and it was an hour long class!

I kid you not, by the end I was dripping with sweat.

I told myself it was not the gross kind, but the sexy, spritzed body, damp hair, healthy glow look.

Yeah...we'll go with that.

Anyway, if you have a local place that offers it I definitely suggest trying a Zumba class.

(I also hear the video games are rather enjoyable)

Plus, it's just fun to say.

Zumba! Zumba! Zuuuuuuummmmmbbbbbaaaaaa!!!!

A Must Read

For all women, especially!

Head on over to Beauty Redefined and read THIS article. It gives some great insight on "healthy" weight and BMI.

It definitely gives me a new perspective as I continue on my weight loss journey. I'm so grateful that I'm taking the time to do it the right way so that I can gradually develop healthful habits, rather than simply worrying about a number on the scale.

Saturday Suggestion

I decided to share a little about my workouts.

I simply can't afford a gym membership at this point, so I do most of my workouts at home in my living room.

But I didn't go buy a bunch of workout DVDs.

So what do I use?

NETFLIX!

That's right, I stream my videos online. They have a nice little selection of videos which allow me to mix it up and try to avoid getting bored with my workout.

Here is one I tried this week for the first time:

This is a fabulous workout! The 50 minute video breaks up into five 10 minute, high intensity workouts. And let me say, they really are high intensity! I find myself sweating before the end of the first 10 minutes! And I have not yet been able to complete more than 30 minutes at a time before my legs are shaking and I'm completely out of breath. But the great thing about these 10 minute series is that you can do just that- 10 minutes at a time.

There is a lot of jumping and leaping, which can be slightly problematic for a busty gal like me. But since I'm in the privacy of my own home, it's not too traumatizing.

As far as workouts are concerned, I would highly recommend it. I would even give it 5 out of 5 stars. If you get the chance, try it and tell me what you think.