When self-indulgence is self-sabotage more than “self-care”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’m writing this email on Valentine’s Day and seeing lots of discussion about LOVE. It’s bringing me back to this question of whether self-indulgence is self-love and self-care, like I used to think.
Indulging in the most tasty, pleasurable food and drink became a big part of my life. In many ways, I geared my whole life around indulgent meals and adult beverages as my “reward” for working so hard.
It felt really important to me. I even framed it as “self-care” and loving myself.
However…
My life wasn’t feeling as full of “love” as it should have with all that daily self-indulgence!
I was very overweight—in fact, according to the BMI chart at the doctor’s office, I was obese.
I was very uncomfortable in my body, had chronic insomnia, pain and inflammation, miserable hormone symptoms.
I couldn’t even walk very well any more.
And I’ve learned over the years that just checking my thinking can be very helpful for improving my life.
So I reflected on this belief:
“My self-indulgences with food and drink are very important to me. They are a way I treat myself with love.”
I asked myself “How’s that (belief and behavior) workin’ for ya??”
I had to admit, it wasn’t working out so well for me!
But, then, did that mean I would have to sacrifice? Because that doesn’t sound appealing to me at all!
I hated the idea of sacrifice.
Responsibility, caring, dedication– yes.
Sacrifice– no.
But check out this definition of sacrifice:
An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.
Okay, let’s face it, we do that all the time!
Me. My friends. My clients.
We have all sacrificed plenty.
I found this quote from Mark Lawrence worth pondering: “Anything you cannot sacrifice pins you. Makes you predictable, makes you weak.”
I had to admit, wine, chocolate, and chips were all making me weak.
I decided to become more curious about how those foods, drinks, or “food-like substances” might actually be affecting my health.
Was it possible that, without truly realizing it, I was sacrificing my healthy, active life for those daily boosts of pleasure?
Was it also possible that I could begin to feel much better, help my body be much healthier and more functional, if I sacrificed those “treats?”
I decided to research these questions– what’s the TRUTH about how the indulgent foods vs. the nutritious foods actually affect our health?
Well, you know my story… The “sacrifice” of changing my approach to eating has given me a vastly healthier, happier life back. And I’m so grateful, I want to share it with you!
My Slender for Good clients tell me all the time, “I thought it was going to be harder changing my eating this way. I find I love the way I eat.”
As one client said this week, “I’m surprised at how much I appreciate all the colorful nutritious foods I’m eating. And I feel so proud of myself every time I give my body the nutritious, life-giving foods. I’m not feeling hungry or deprived at all like I thought I would.”
“Sacrifice is part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to.” (Mitch Albom)
When have you sacrificed something lesser in order to get something greater?
How can that victory help you take the next step forward for healthy eating and weight loss?
Wishing you loving care and sacrifices that pay off!
