Changing the script of my life
Picture this:
Saturday night, the Fertilehealthy household. Craig and Hanlie sit down to a delicious pasta supper. Few words are spoken while they eat. These two take their food seriously. They both go for seconds, as is their habit. After two bites of her second helping, Hanlie looks up with a puzzled expression and says: “You know what? I’m actually full.” After picking his jaw up from the floor, Craig cautiously says: “Then stop eating!”
Hanlie looks at her half-full plate, briefly thinks of all the starving kids in Africa and wonders if she’ll be struck down by lightning for wasting food. She makes up her mind and says: “I think I will.” And she does! She takes her plate and throws her food in the compost bin.
Now, I know that this mundane scene would probably be cut from any blockbuster movie, but in my life this is HUGE! I don’t think that I’ve ever really been full in my life. I can’t remember ever stopping eating before my plate was empty unless there was something I didn’t particularly care for (and there’s not much of that in the world)
Of course, being the analytical person that I am, I have to examine what had prompted this extraordinary breakthrough. My friend Charlotte, the hot babe who has recently lost a lot of weight, visited me on Saturday afternoon. Once again we chatted about our emotional journeys. She helped me see how far I’d come. We spoke about our anger, our fears, our obstacles, our identities, our failures and our hopes and dreams. Just speaking about this with someone who intimately knows what I’m talking about provides amazing comfort and a sense of release. It doesn’t matter how close you are to your other friends, your spouse or family, if they have not been fat, they will never understand the issues.
Charlotte helped me see the many victories I’ve had on my journey. We have to not only acknowledge, but celebrate our victories! I have learned so much this last year. Healed so many old wounds. I understand my issues so much better. I know my strengths and my weaknesses and how to work with them and through them. I am so much better equiped to finally bring my lifestyle in line with my beliefs about health and nutrition, to start being active every day and to heal my body and my fertility.
Now that is change I can believe in!
hanlie on November 3rd 2008 in Heart, Soul and Mind
Felicia responded on 03 Nov 2008 at 5:03 pm #
Thats awesome! YOU GO GIRL!!!
*huggles*
=0)
Donnalouise responded on 03 Nov 2008 at 5:27 pm #
Great post!! Be proud of yoruself for stopping…I have a hard time not finishing everything on my plate. You go girl!
DaDivaStreet responded on 03 Nov 2008 at 8:15 pm #
Kudos on changing the script! Stopping when full… Awesome!
DaDivaStreets last blog post..VOTE 2008!
Sybil responded on 03 Nov 2008 at 9:31 pm #
It’s a very odd place to find oneself in - when we are actually recognizing how our body feels and then act accordingly. I have been trying to only eat when hungry and after years and years of just stuffing my face because the food was in front of me, or I ‘needed’ it to quell an emotion - it’s a very strange and bewildering thing - this listening to my body business.
I still find myself eating when not hungry - eating more to a schedule - but the times I am able to wait for actual hunger, or listen and stop when I’m full - those are amazing, almost awe-inspiring times. It’s like a lesson I never learned before.
I’ve missed your blogging. I’m glad your back.
Sybils last blog post..It’s time for a change
gin responded on 04 Nov 2008 at 1:43 am #
That is fantastic!! What a wonderful feeling, knowing that you can make the change to stop when you’re full! I remember the first time happened to me on a diet. I was struck by the feeling and will never forget it!
gins last blog post..Fare thee well, my Lady
ordinarylife responded on 04 Nov 2008 at 8:27 am #
wooo hooo!!!!!!!
ordinarylifes last blog post..Back in the water
Diana the Scale Junkie responded on 04 Nov 2008 at 2:02 pm #
WOW, what a fabulous NSV! I know sometimes life just gets so crazy its hard to slow down and learn to listen for that voice. Its easy to drown that voice, now that you’ve found it, turn the volume up so you never miss it again. You ROCK!
Diana the Scale Junkies last blog post..A Different Kind of Exercise
Cammy responded on 04 Nov 2008 at 6:08 pm #
Huge victory! I’m so happy for you!
Cammys last blog post..Another Unexpected Benefit of Weight Loss
The unpregnant mother responded on 04 Nov 2008 at 6:16 pm #
Cool!
JM responded on 05 Nov 2008 at 12:44 am #
Woohoo! That realization moment is an awesome one. I still struggle with the whole thing of the world isn’t going to end if I don’t finish my plate, but it’s a great thing to go by how full you are rather than what’s supposedly expected of you.
Sandy responded on 05 Nov 2008 at 1:29 am #
You go girl! Keep up the good work!!!
Sandy (HYC)
Evita responded on 05 Nov 2008 at 4:10 am #
Wow - that is fantastic Hanlie. Every step, no matter how big or small towards our goal is very significant!
Evitas last blog post..November is National Health Food Month
Netjane responded on 05 Nov 2008 at 12:31 pm #
Well done!
Netjanes last blog post..Net vir die nuuskieriges
MizFit responded on 05 Nov 2008 at 12:44 pm #
and isnt it amazing how often we need HELP seeing our victories when we can see them so readily in others.
MizFits last blog post..An Apple A Day…
Amy responded on 05 Nov 2008 at 9:15 pm #
That’s great! Good for you!
Manuela responded on 06 Nov 2008 at 1:31 am #
This is so true for so many of us! And, I just love the little cartoon you added at the end, thanks for the smile
Manuelas last blog post.."Bring Back that Losin’ Feelin’"