The Weight of It All
In a culture where we cannot escape the concept of weight, dieting, portion control, body image, etc. it’s no wonder we have a screwed up relationship with food and our own bodies. We have in essence lost a sense of what it means to be nourished.
I have a phobia of scales. Just the thought of going to the doctor sends me into a state of panic, and not for the actual exam, but because of the preliminary step of taking my weight. It is so extreme I put off going to the doctor when really I need to. I know that in the long run this tiny act of stepping up on that scale pales in comparison to the big picture of why I’m there, but I can’t shake the fear-gripping feeling in my gut. I have read countless articles that boast weighing yourself on a regular basis as one of the best tools to keep your weight in check. Maybe that works for some, but I am a case where this is not helpful and on the verge of harmful. I’m not advocating ignoring your weight all together, but this type of obsessive monitoring is part of a bigger problem that leads to a lack of awareness of our bodies and can eventually lead to a negative relationship with food. When we reduce our self to a number on the scale we run the risk of losing a deeper connection to our body. I realize not everyone feels the same way I do, and maybe you think my phobia is crazy, but this is an issue that exists.
According to the American Dietetic Association, each year more than half of all Americans try to either lose weight or maintain a recent weight loss. As well intentioned and sensible as some food regimens are, the majority of them tend to keep us trapped in the physical dimension of existence, ignoring a deeper hunger that dwells within each of us. Unless we are driven to nourish this place within ourselves, regular disciplined food choices will continue to elude us. In Hale Sofia Schatz book, “If the Buddha Came to Dinner” she talks about this idea of nourishment as a discipline: “The gift of nourishment is that we have to do it everyday. We just don’t say: “Well, I don’t feel like feeding myself today. I think I’ll take the day off!” Each time we feed ourselves is an opportunity to practice self-love, compassion, and reverence for our spiritual nature. The willingness to engage in this discipline doesn’t mean that a lifetime’s worth of patterns will change overnight. No, I can assure you that the myriad food choices, pressured schedules, and emotional associations will all be there tomorrow. That’s okay. Be compassionate with yourself no matter where you are in your relationship to feeding yourself.”
In a culture where we cannot escape the concept of weight, dieting, portion control, body image, etc. it’s no wonder we have a screwed up relationship with food and our own bodies. We have in essence lost a sense of what it means to be nourished. There is cause for concern given the more recent rise in obesity rates in America, but with the constant bombardment of weight loss ads, books, pills and regimens it’s challenging to decipher what and how much we actually need to feed ourselves. How do we know fact from fiction? When looking for diet and fitness advice there are a few key questions you should ask of the source: Does the author have nationally recognized credentials? Does the product being advertised promise quick increases in physical performance? If something is extremely expensive or contains a secret ingredient that cannot be disclosed make sure to get more information before trusting the product. Is there data to back up a product’s promise? Is it too good to be true? Bottom line, trust your gut. And remember, there is never a one size fits all solution when it comes to finding the right foods to nourish you. Be patient with yourself and accept the ups and downs as part of the process of finding a balanced relationship with your food and body.
It would be great if we could trade out our bodies for a newer model with all the features we desire, but of course we can’t. This is our one body. This is our life. Instead of trying to change yourself and live in a state of want, try providing yourself with a loving discipline. You are the only one that can ultimately take care of you. Nourish from the inside out.
