A Life Less Overweight

So this week has been parent-teacher conferences for me, and also I happened to have an IEP meeting for a student the same week. Last year was a terrible year for this boy, and this year has been a huge improvement. At the meeting, the mom was talking about this, and how she attributes his social growth to me and my style. She was full of compliments, which are of course always nice to hear. But then she said something that probably was the nicest, most meaningful compliment I have gotten in a long time, and one that I feel is an amazing measure of progress for me mentally. She said her son “has done so well this year because Mrs. M. has shown him that it’s ok to be yourself. She’s clearly comfortable in her own skin, and it shows, and that’s a great example for him.”

Comfortable in her own skin. Wow. That is something I have been fighting for for a very long time. Throughout my childhood, teens, and 20s, I was never comfortable in my skin. I had confidence- I have always liked who I am- but comfort with myself otherwise was never easy for me. What a long way I have come that others perceive me that way, and that it is the truth as well.

When we think about all the things that go on in life, and all the things that we battle with internally, it really comes down to being comfortable with yourself, as you are. That acceptance is the crucial piece to weight loss. I found that until I was ok with myself at the weight I was, I wasn’t going to lose anything, ever. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but I believe it’s true. My decision to lose was not because of how I wanted to look, but because of how I wanted to better my life and health, and that’s when I began changing, both inside and out.

This is indeed a journey in finding yourself. I hope that you too can find comfort in your own skin.