There are very few times in life when I feel the need to brag. Typically I would rather share life's special moments with a few of my closest friends and move on with my life. Today, however, I kind of feel like I have earned bragging rights so I am taking full advantage of this rare opportunity.
Yesterday, after three weeks without being weighed and the day after returning home from vacation, I had to step on the oh-so-dreaded scale. Keep in mind the last time I went on vacation, my weight did drop a few pounds, making this a somewhat nerve racking weigh-in. Luckily, to my surprise - cue the bragging rights - my weight was exactly where it was supposed to be.
This is a big deal for several reasons:
1. I didn't count a single calorie for 9 days straight.
2. I could have easily restricted, but with the help of a supportive friend, that wasn't even an option.
3. I was much more active on this trip than normal, which meant I somehow compensated for the burned calories without even knowing it.
4. We ate ice cream twice a day and faced plenty of other Vacation Triggers.
5. Does this mean I can trust my hunger cues?! Maybe not 100% just yet, but I am getting closer every single day.
I will treat my body with respect and kindness.
I will feed it, keep it active, and listen to its needs.
I will remember that my body is the vehicle that will carry me to my dreams.
I have this quote on a sticky note next to the speedometer in my car and after a 12 hour road trip over the weekend, it is now permanently stuck in my brain. That sticky note has been in the same spot for almost a year now. Sometimes I take the time to stop and read it, but sometimes I completely forget and carry on with my day.
As I drove home from my therapist's office yesterday, I reread the quote I stared at for 12 hours straight on my dashboard and smiled. For the first time in nearly a decade, I am effortlessly treating my body with respect and kindness, exactly as the quote suggests.
Progress.
As I drove home from my therapist's office yesterday, I reread the quote I stared at for 12 hours straight on my dashboard and smiled. For the first time in nearly a decade, I am effortlessly treating my body with respect and kindness, exactly as the quote suggests.
Progress.
LOVE THIS KELSI! you deserve to brag about it. It is an AMAZING accomplishment! So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carly! :)
Deleteso amazing Kelsi! it's just proof of how far you've come! i long to get to that place one day myself.
ReplyDeleteAllie - you will absolutely get there someday very soon. I have complete faith in you. <3
Deletemmm... Ice cream twice a day. Om nom nom.
ReplyDeleteThe trick is staying active. Whether on vacation or not, if you engage in your body, your life, your surroundings, your body will regulate itself to what is healthy for it. The mind often ends up just getting in the way of those natural, instinctual, responses.
And some forms of physical activity are better than others, wouldn't you agree?
DeleteWow! I love this post! Your recovery is just getting stronger every moment! I think that anorexic mind makes us very repetitious because we feel safe in our own rules and structures, but if we actually do something different, our mind and body function better. Doing the same exercise and activities bore us mentally and physically. Doing life means opposite. Then, our bodies will stay in the range that it is supposed to. I have found it out for myself that when I am not weight conscious, it falls into a certain range. Anyway, my logic means little here, because you are just doing amazingly! Don't need logic or reasons. Yay! <3
ReplyDeleteYes, I think getting out of my comfort zone and challenging most of my daily routines was one of the best things I could have done for my recovery. It was definitely scary in the beginning, but living life and enjoying the company of others became much more important than worrying about food. No logic, I agree haha. <3
DeleteCongratulations, Kelsi!! Your body and mind thank you. As, I'm sure do the friends who were able to see you shine while on vacation. You're living the life you want, and that is SUCH a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteSo incredibly proud of you and inspired by you. xo
Thank you so much, Chels! I would definitely say the people I was with brought out a side of me that I haven't seen in... forever. It was a beautiful thing. :)
DeleteIt was kinda beautiful to watch. She didn't even realize the progress she made over the week until now I think :)
DeleteDon't put that side away... ever :)
I think you might be right about that. It's amazing how much can change in 1 week when the right people (and/or dogs) are placed into our lives. :)
DeleteHow great! I'm so glad you shared this victory! Our bodies do a marvelous job of regulating themselves when we give them a chance! I love your sticky note, and what a good idea to put it near your steering wheel. I think I need to make some sticky notes about a variety of things and put them in a prominent place like that! --Alison
ReplyDeleteP.S. do you have a favorite flavor of ice cream?? :)
Sticky notes can be very powerful tools if you want them to be! It's always nice to have little reminders on those days when you don't really feel like trying. My favorite ice cream flavor? It's almost impossible for me to pick just 1 flavor, but something with raspberry and dark chocolate always makes me happy.
DeleteNothing else to say except CONGRATS!!! That is amazing. I know for a while you were afraid you would never feel comfortable going off meal planning/counting, but it seems like you are getting closer all the time. This is HUGE progress :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing that out, Lindsay. It's almost like I am getting away from meal planning without even realizing it... WHAT?! I never thought this day would come haha.
DeleteThis post makes me so so so so so happy and relieved for you!!!! You are phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristi!! That really means a lot to me! <3
DeleteThis post made my whole day.
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks Aunt Judy. :)
DeleteGreat words on that sticky note...nice post, thanks for sharing. And oh...first time on here.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Thanks so much - Glad you enjoyed it! :)
DeleteGreat words on that sticky note...nice post, thanks for sharing. And oh...first time on here.
ReplyDeleteCheers!