Fear and Loathing...

Let's face it: women are naturally judgmental. We size up our neighbors, our co-workers, our family members, and virtually anyone else who comes in our path. It takes about 0.2 seconds and we hardly even notice that we're doing it. It's ingrained.

"Bless her heart," a southern lady might think to herself. "She has really gained some weight in the last few months."

"Oh no. That hair is NOT working."

"Does she think she's 16? Why is she wearing pants that tight? / a skirt that short? / a top that does not cover up those giant (fake) boobs?"

We are hard on people! Unforgiving. Ruthless. Catty.

But I've noticed something else lately. As hard as we are on other people, women are even harder on themselves. Brutal, even. When it comes to looks, weight, and bodies, I know some women who would be hard-pressed to find anything good to say about themselves.

Maybe we feel okay about ourselves in our 20s. Then we get married, have a baby, and put ourselves on the back burner while we care for a newborn, a toddler, a pre-schooler. Then it's back to work and the schedule gets even crazier. Drive thrus become a food group. And all the while the negative voices are getting louder and louder.

"I cannot believe I gained 10 pounds this year."

"Look at that belly. It's disgusting."

"Why did I eat that cake? It's only going to make me fatter than I already am."

Then it gets personal.

"Why would anyone even want to be with me?"

"I will never be able to change the way I look."

"I am just gross."

We belittle ourselves so much and so often that it becomes our own personal truth. It's a merry-go-round of self-loathing, fear, and lies that keeps us from taking charge and making change.

It has to STOP.

We are more than our body. We are more than the way we look.

Our body is a miracle. It brought forth children and it's the place where we live for as long as we're on earth. We have to stop punishing ourselves for the past and start acknowledging that we are in control of our own future.

We can change our habits. We can start thinking about food as fuel, and giving our bodies the type of fuel needed to operate at peak performance. We can make movement and exercise an enjoyable part of our daily routine. We CAN.

Our brain, like any other muscle, can be trained out of a negative thought cycle. Just like any other exercise,  though, it's hard work and takes time. You have to start by recognizing the fact that you're having negative thoughts, checking yourself, and then reframing that negative thought into a positive one.

If it takes wearing a rubber band on your wrist and snapping yourself every time you have a negative thought, then do it.

Don't make perfect the enemy of good. Celebrate and acknowledge the small steps. Don't be attached to the outcome. Enjoy the journey. Be nice to yourself. Get your swagger back.

Can you do that?

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P90X Yoga