My self-esteem took a nosedive when I tried on a pair of shorts and they were too tight! Can you relate? In about 3 seconds my inner critic was on my case.
“Just look at that fat belly! You need a new diet and a better exercise program!” Yikes! She always thinks a diet and more exercise is the answer. It’s hard for me not to listen to her. She’s been ranting and raving in my mind for years.
But I know she lies to me all the time!
How about you?
Does your inner critic insult you too? She says stuff to us that we would never say to our daughter or our friend.
She’s just nasty!
I’m sad that a few extra pounds of belly fat can shake my self-esteem like that. Does that ever happen to you?
I write this blog because I struggle just like you do. I’m not the expert.
I have those days when I don’t feel good about how I look. I have days when I listen to my inner critic way too much. She wants me to believe that if I write about health and well being that I have to be perfect and never wrestle with my weight, self-discipline, or self-esteem.
So what do I do? How do I shut up that nasty inner critic? I tell her the truth!
A new diet is not the solution! Diets don’t work! I eat nutrient-rich foods that fuel my body.
I don’t need a new exercise program. I do however need to be consistent with my daily walks and strength train twice a week.
My self-worth is based on who I am as a woman and the skills and abilities that God has given to me. Not on my weight or my appearance.
I accept my body. It is healthy, strong, and fit. As a 60-year-old Grammie, I have the energy and stamina to keep up with a busy 2-year-old all day long! I am thankful that my body can do that!
The size of my shorts does not define my self-worth. I will buy a size larger and be comfortable.
I’ve never been through a worldwide pandemic before! I am coping the best way I can.
The pandemic has added to my stress. I have learned that high or chronic stress causes cortisol levels to remain high. When cortisol levels are high it leads to an increase in belly fat. I am pretty sure that is what caused mine. So I won’t beat myself up about it.
I chatted with my daughter-in-law, Charity, a certified nutritionist about this belly fat. She agreed that it is probably from low-grade stress and high levels of cortisol. She said that when my stress goes back down I can expect my belly fat to go down too.
I remember these good words, “ Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” Galatians 6:9
That’s the core Bible verse for my ministry.
I keep making healthy choices because they add up.
Today’s little step: Remember your self-worth is not based on the size of your clothes. Shut your inner critic up with the truth!
Remember every little step makes a difference!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Little Steps to Health
Featured Image by NatureFriend from Pixabay
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