Stop tying weight loss with happiness.

Are you waiting to lose 10, 20, 30 or more pounds? Waiting to fit into that special dress, bathing suit, or pair of jeans? Waiting to be "happy" with your weight, that ever elusive specific number you've set in your mind? 

If your health and fitness goal is weight loss, and you are unhappy now with yourself/your body, my question to you is this: 

Why aren't you allowed to be happy right now, instead of when you've lost weight?
Acceptance of ourselves, and allowing ourselves to be happy NOW is necessary to make any progress. 

I struggled for years on diets, calorie counting, and excessive exercise. I tried every diet out there, reduced my food intake to 1200 calories or less a day, and lived my life by a long list of food rules. Then, I would binge on all my restricted foods, feel sick, guilty, and berate myself for being "weak." Obviously, nothing worked, which just made me feel completely hopeless as I gained more and more weight. 

I had to learn to respect my body and be content in my skin. This process began when I read

the book Within: A spiritual awakening to love and weight loss, and then therapy. I am happy with the way I am now. I know that sometimes I have to make healthier lifestyle choices, but also allow myself to enjoy delicious foods, without guilt or berating myself. 

If this sounds familiar to you, get professional help. You are not lazy; you are not alone. You have a mental health issue that needs treatment. It was like a weight lighten from my shoulders that I felt had been there my whole life. 

We put so much pressure on ourselves to lose weight - like everything is riding on it.
Be happy NOW, content in your skin. 

Think of your very best friend. Do you love her for her abs? Do you love her for the amount she weighs? We don't love people for their abs, because they have long legs, or for the amount shown on a scale. We love them because of who they are, their kindness, their love, the way they treat others; the fun and laughter we have when they are around us! 

Might we need to make healthier lifestyle choices? Maybe. Let's let go of tying weight loss with happiness. 

Who's with me?