Truth . . . I am Not as Thin as I Used to Be!

Truth … All the women in my family struggle with their weight … the men too!

Truth … I eat for hunger, for pleasure, for sorrow. And I know when I’m doing it!

Truth … I’ve never been happier, more content, more aligned with who I really am, and more grateful!

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That’s the truth!

I look back at my pictures—from even six or seven years ago. I see leaner arms, a smaller waist, thinner legs, younger skin. I’ll smile. “Boy, I looked good!”

I’ll look at pictures of other really fit women—even women my age or older. Occasionally it bugs me, but most often I simply say, “Good for you! I truly hope you are happy and that looking that way doesn’t consume you, pressure you, or disempower you!”

For me, looking “that fit” did consume me . . . even disempower me! Looking perfect was all-consuming—so strict on my diet then beating up on myself if I ate “badly”, measuring my waist, stepping on the scale, analyzing my skin. It robbed me of so much potential, so much energy . . . so much power! I even worried more about how I looked when I was going on TV than about what I said!

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Now, when I look in the mirror, I smile . . . but for another reason.

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I see a body that is strong and athletic. I see body fat—a little extra cushioning. I see wisdom, love, and good memories. I see organic vegetables, along with a few too many glasses of wine shared over decadent dinners with people I love. I see powerful muscles, along with too many old injuries! What my body is not . . . is lithe, willowy or frail.

What my body is . . . is powerful, healthy, consistent, and pretty darn amazing! I teach yoga five days a week, I can run 10k in under fifty-five minutes, and can sit in the lotus position for hours! I’m slimmer than some women and fatter than others.

I am and was so much more than my body, my skin, my wrinkles, my waistline!

Could I be better? Sure!

Could I be smaller? Sure!

Could I be thinner? Absolutely!

Could I be happier? Absolutely Not!

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If a smaller, thinner body could make me happier,

why am I happier NOW than I was before?

The answer: Self-love!

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I’m not suggesting that we should hurt our bodies by reckless gluttony or abandon our exercise routine and drink the winery. What I am suggesting is that we should honor ourselves, honor life, and honor whatever body-type God has given us. I have friends who are “tiny” who would be deeply offended to be called “skinny”. I have friends who are short, tall, old, young. The “short” want to be taller, the “tall” want to be shorter, the “skinny” want to be fuller, and the “older” want to be younger.

Isn’t it all so self-defeating? So pointless?

But just imagine if you had this “self-love” thing figured out and you could just relax and enjoy yourself, your body, your life—at all the different stages, ages, shapes and sizes?
Well, that’s what my work is all about. It’s about living life NOW—today; not 20 pounds from now, $20,000 from now or 20 years from now. It’s about learning to love all of you—the good, the bad, and the “supposed” ugly and realizing that “perfection” isn’t all that its “caught up to be!”

It’s time for you to recognize your own unique talents and gifts—in other words, what makes you “YOU”!  This small shift in thinking will change the way you see yourself—all for the better.

I’d love to share more with you – but for now I want to invite you to receive my 7 FREE mp3’s to help you Crystalize Your Dreams and fall back in love with you and your life! Visit http://www.crystalandrus.com for your free gifts!