Navigating “Comparisonitis” to Meet Our Bodies Where They Are

Do you ever compare your previous body to your current body?

That's what I found myself doing earlier this week when I saw the picture in my Facebook feed. My body has changed since this picture was taken in 2013. At that time, I was an avid cyclist, Spin class “junkie” and smoothie drinking vegetarian. I didn’t realize at the time that I was likely orthorexic (obsession about eating “unhealthy” foods) but that’s a story for another time. ⁣
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To be honest, for a moment I lamented that I’m not as thin or as physically fit as I was at that time, but it was truly momentary. ⁣I knew that was diet culture talking.
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While I may not be at the same fitness level or weight I was then, I’m now moving my body for different reasons and I still feel great doing it. I'm also way more grateful for all that my body is able to do.

During my recovery, I've learned that if I allowed myself to get stuck in "comparisonitis" by focusing on how my body used to be, it could easily lead to depression and INACTIVITY. ⁣Over the years, I’ve heard many of my clients say that they don’t like exercise because they cannot do X anymore because of an injury, they're "too lazy", or because of their own internalized weight stigma.

When we gently explore more, they begin to see that the comparisonitis is often about perfectionism to do movement in a certain way, fear that they will start and quit, and self-sabotage because they create unrealistic demands setting themselves up for failure. ⁣

I assure you, it can be different though. Like most aspects of recovery, creating something different requires that beliefs be rewritten. This rewriting clears the emotional cobwebs and "shoulds" making room for a new and improved relationship with movement allowing them to meet their bodies where they're at now, instead of where they were 5, 10, or 15 years ago. I've experienced this personally and seen it with my courageous clients!

Imagine how your life could improve if you met your body where it's at now?

Interested in movement but not sure where to begin? My Joyful Movement at Last! program creates the space for you to recreate a healthy relationship with movement wherever your body is now. It also offers support in a dedicated Facebook group. Join us!

Why Losing Weight for Medical Reasons Still Isn’t the Answer to Getting ‘Healthy’

Time and time again I hear clients and read comments in online spaces about people feeling that they need to lose weight for 'health' reasons.

Some may have even been told by a medical professional that weight loss is the only way to correct their declining health issues.

Years ago, when my cholesterol was consistently going up and my high blood pressure was undiagnosed, my doctors had recommended weight loss too, so I understand how concerning this can be.

If you've been told you need to lose weight because your metabolic health (i.e., blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar) is declining, I want to share a few important points as a reframe.

First, you've done nothing wrong to make any of it happen despite what you may have been told or what may have been implied. Remember that a previous history with dieting, genetics, movement, and stress play a significant role in this equation.

Second, instead of blaming your body, thank and appreciate it for giving you some important information that you can now address and begin to heal from.

Third, remember that even if weight loss was going to solve all your health issues, how would you maintain that loss without engaging in deprivation, food restriction, and compensatory exercise habits?

Fourth, while I know that research isn't very 'sexy', there are plenty of research studies indicating that following intuitive eating/Health At Every Size (HAES) often helps to normalize metabolic health naturally without dieting or restricting.

Fifth, I get that the knee-jerk reaction is to immediately think that losing weight is the answer that will solve all your worries, research also shows that weight loss is not sustainable long-term and also that weight stigma plays a significant role in overall health outcomes.

Sixth, reflecting on your own experiences with intentional weight loss will remind you that it's not typically sustainable and even when it is, it's with tremendous effort and often leads to poor emotional health. Let's remember that our mental health is equally as important as our metabolic health.

The bottom line...

If you want to work toward rediscovering balance in every sense of the word, my professional advice is to stay on your intuitive eating/HAES path. A recent diagnosis or health scare is NOT the time to diet (nor is any other time). Instead, it is the time to start or continue cultivating more compassionate, self-care focused habits that are sustainable. Over time, that is what will very likely bring your levels back within a normal range again and also improve your emotional health.

Helping women to cultivate more compassionate, self-care focused habits like giving themselves full permission to eat without the emotional restriction (guilt, worry, etc.), integrating gentle nutrition into your daily life, and rediscovering movement without slipping back into diet mentality is my jam.

Schedule some time with me so we can have a conversation around this so you can finally stop worrying! You don't have to do this alone. Getting this sorted out will make a difference in your life.