In today’s Podcast I share a very personal story about how, when I am feeling raw and cut to the quick, I unconsciously numb with unhealthy food choices. I also share how I have just recently become aware of what my triggers are. Inherently an athlete and someone who likes to be active, I have spent the last third of my life on a hamster wheel of doing right by myself only to seek solace in a slice of pizza when I feel feelings of abandonment and loss.
I became aware of ‘unconscious numbing‘ when I became exposed to Brené Brown’s books. In The Gifts of Imperfection, she talks about how you can’t selectively numb. When you do things to try to numb the painful and/or negative emotions you feel, you also are numbing joy. Everything becomes dull, not just the painful parts.
So many people think that when you are a coach or a teacher, that you have to be perfect and impeccable in all areas of your life—and at all times. That’s not the case at all! Because I devote a lot of my time to empowering women and girls, it doesn’t mean that I am 100% free from feelings of fear or that I never self-sabotage. What it DOES mean is that I might falter, but I own it, I become acutely aware of it, and then I course-correct. Empowerment and awareness share an intimate relationship, one that many are uncomfortable with. I’m extremely effective at what I do, despite not being “perfect” in my personal life.
Much of our “baggage” and our stumbling blocks in life are rooted in childhood experiences. In my case, those experiences trigger me to seek comfort and to block out any pain I might be experiencing in an unhealthy way. Not drugs, not alcohol…but food. Food is my drug of choice. Is it yours too? If it is, let’s become consciously aware together. Let’s empower each other and help each other feel what we need to feel—fully, in High Definition—and then let’s move on by making better choices.
Awareness is key, and in this Podcast, I share some tips for how to become fully aware and some pretty basic (yet effective) Life Hacks for how to be healthier. I’m holding myself accountable…will you join me?
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Vulnerably yours,
Jenn
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I realize this podcast is about 2 years old now, but I listened to it for the first time today while I was driving. I felt like it was my story told my another person. For many years I was an avid Coca Cola drinker and I hated the fact that I felt controlled by something so ridiculous. I had tried giving it up many times but always seemed to fall back into the pattern. I think drinking Coke had an emotional tie in my life, and I craved the sweet bubbly perfect drink when I got stressed, which of course felt like I always was. Anyway, a few months ago I decided that I needed to do something about my weight which had ballooned over the last few years and so I joined a weight loss group and we meet every month, weigh in and discuss our successes and set backs. The dietitians and RNs that are in charge of the group give us all feed back. (I really only needed someone to consistently weigh me in and hold me accountable for my actions, I couldn’t seem to face my scale on my own). 5 weeks ago I finally decided it was the right time to give up drinking Coke, and so far it has been a success. Since I made up my mind to make this lifestyle change I haven’t really had to deal with too many cravings, which was surprising to me since all the previous attempts were riddled with this problem and better yet, I never got a caffeine withdrawal headache. Although, I haven’t seen the weight fly off like I thought I would have by now and I don’t feel miraculously more healthy, I am pretty proud of myself that I was able to shake the habit. Needless to say, your podcast made me smile. I have no doubt that may women can relate to your story and I appreciate the fact that you spent the time to post it. Thanks for the encouragement!!