I've been in the Weight Watcher's camp, I've been in the low carb camp, the paleo camp, the calorie counting camp. Lately I feel like I'm stuck in a camp consisting of the confluence of the HAES, Body Positivity and Mindful eating camps.
The problem I'm having is that having so publicly stated my allegiance to this camp makes me kinda feel like I'm not allowed to think for myself any more.
The specific thing I am struggling with is that it feels like if you are a body positive advocate, you can't be actively trying to change your body. You are just have to accept that if you eat mindfully and get some exercise your body weight will stabilise where it is supposed to (people will disagree with me on this and that is fine - this is just me stating how I feel).
The more reading I do the more stuck I get, for every argument for HAES there is one against it, for every person saying there is pretty much no point in trying to reduce your body fat there is another saying that it is possible. It's exhausting!
Can't you accept your body where it is but want to change it as well? Isn't there some middle ground?
This is what I have decided that I want to find out.
The thing is, that all of these camps actually have something to offer. The all encourage you to really think about what you are eating, some of them encourage eating mostly whole foods, some of them encourage moderation and balance.
I really struggle with moderation and balance and I think it's because I've been stuck in extreme camps for so long. This is what I loved about Go Kaleo when I first started reading her stuff - she's all about the moderation.
I've said before that overeating really just feels like a habit to me now, it's feels hard to have to think about and plan what I am eating and easy to just eat whatever! I feel like I've come a really long way towards accepting myself and now I am ready to move into the next phase - really putting what I've learned into practice but also tweaking it to be what works for me and what supports my goals.
I want to be a body positive advocate, who also advocates for moderation and balance with food, I want to advocate for your body being you business, I want to encourage you not to be a fanatic but to do what works and feels right for you. I want to get fitter and I do want to be lighter - not because I hate myself or I think there is anything wrong with me, but because I want to be able to run again, I want to be as fit as I can be, when I go for my black belt in 2016 I want to step on that mat knowing that I am ready and that I am the best version of myself that I can be.
What's the point of this post? I guess I am trying to tell you that you should think for yourself. Yes, read, learn, experiment - find out what works for you! It's ok to take a bit from each camp and make it your own. Following someone else's ideals is what keeps you stuck. I'm moving into camp Lauren!
Hooray Lauren! I think that is the best camp for anyone. The unique set of feelings, acceptance, behaviors towards dreams and goals that best resonant with each one of us. For me, body acceptance means accepting where I am without hating myself. As you say, it doesn't mean that I can't want to make tweaks to progress in certain ways. A non weight related example is my singing. I practice scales to strengthen my vocal cords, my breathing capacity etc. I'm much better at singing now than when I began lessons 4 months ago. But I would like to become a better singer. So I celebrate my progress and admire where I am, while evaluating what it takes to go further. My weight is the same. I'm learning to accept and love the body I have and evaluate how it feels, and then decide what do I want to do today in order to move in the direction I would like when it comes to living in this body of mine. This includes how I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. I admire you for authentically sharing your journey and am inspired by your progress.
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