Fasting, Food and Undies (It’s all good)
While I recognize that this is not the most important topic of discussion, I do believe there is some merit in bringing this up.
Has anyone else noticed that the lines on a stick of butter are “off” lately? For years, they were right on target, letting me know when one tablespoon stopped, and another tablespoon started. Now, they’re practically running off the end of the stick!
So, I’m left to either guess or get out a ruler and measure them. Right…who has time for that? So, some of my Thanksgiving dishes were a little more butterier (no complaints) and some were probably a little less buttery (but again, no one complained).
The odd thing is that when I see this, I feel like my B/P goes up.
I mean, you have one job to do, put the label on the butter stick. And so, I find I’m standing in my kitchen, mad at my butter. Let me tell ya, butter doesn’t stand a chance. There’s no coming back from this one! And to be fair, I don’t often hold back forgiveness….to others (and things like butter and the butter label people). But isn’t that the way most people are?
Yes, we may get upset with others, maybe even staying mad over a couple of days. Eventually, tho, we forgive and reconcile.
Oh, but not so with ourselves!
This I find to be true in my practice on a daily basis.
The woman sitting across from me (or on the screen in front of me) is far more likely to forgive others than she is to forgive herself. She holds herself to very high, and might I say, unrealistic expectations.
Others can make mistakes, but not her! She comes down on herself HARD! As a Coach, it’s painful to watch because I know that this is likely a lifelong pattern.
Her-I goofed up and ate way too much at Thanksgiving,
Me- Did you enjoy your food?
Her- I fell off the wagon and ate past my window (of eating) 3 times last week.
Me- Ok, sounds like you extended your window.
(and besides there is no “wagon” with intermittent fasting)
Her-I chewed out my daughter this morning.
Me-What do you think was behind that?
Her-I haven’t worked out in weeks.
Me-OK, so pick a day you can go this week. Just one.
Her- I came out of the bathroom with my dress caught up in my undies.
Me- OK, I’ve got nothing for that one.
But seriously, can we just laugh about it?
Maybe that’s the thing. We take ourselves so seriously!
Let’s start laughing a bit more: smiling at the butter, giggling a little about the undies show we put on and just flat out forgiving ourselves when we don’t follow through with “the plan.”
I guarantee you, you’ll feel a lot better if you can let yourself off the hook. Other people love to be around someone who can laugh at themselves. Not in a self-deprecating way, but with honesty and authenticity.
You’d be surprised (or maybe not) how often things like this come up in a coaching session. It’s all part of it. I’m the face and voice of feedback, but also the voice of reality, all in the context of loving and caring for women.
Need a dose of that?
I’m here for you, too.
Reply to this email if you want to set up a 20-minute phone chat to see if Coaching is right for you.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I’m returning to the teaching circuit!
If you would like me to speak to your group (work, church, book club, neighborhood, or just a group of women you put together, etc), you can fill out the Contact Form on my website. These events are a great way to get a lot of information without spending a lot.
No space to host something like this? I have space in my beautiful office (you can check a bit of it on my website as well).
Here are some of the topics I cover when I teach:
When to Eat, What to Eat and How to Move in Middle-Age
Life is Sweet: Step Away From the Sugar Bowl (all about you and sugar)
Pill-O-Fight: Overcoming the Battle For Sleep
My Dear Reader: Merry Christmas!
Let’s agree to laugh a bit more this season.
You can do it. Turn those corners of your mouth up!
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
I’ll do the same.
Let’s connect again in 2024!
Take good care,
Renee