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"Hidden Benefits of Body Size" (whoops, kind of long)
Sorry if this posts twice, but it is not appearing for me -- it showed up
for a minute and then said it was no longer available on the server. So I am trying again! I was intrigued with the idea when I first heard it a few years ago (from Dr. Phil, I think) -- that we remain overweight for some "payoff" reason that is usually unconscious. I had a hard time with that one, feeling as though I would do anything to be thin, and hated being fat. Yet despite *22 years* of trying to get below 200, making more effort toward losing weight than anyone else I knew, I couldn't do it. Now that I'm reading "The Solution" by Laurel Mellin, I'm reminded of this concept because there's a section in there called "The Hidden Benefits of Body Size." I found it intriguing enough to quote here and hope it will spark some thought and conversation: "Maintaining a body size larger than our biologic comfort zone is how we send wordless messages to others. Even if we spend years dieting and sweating off pounds, this voice will express itself through a relentless sabotage that results in weight staying rock solid. "Little or none of this is conscious. We don't *purposely* sabotage our healthy eating and scuttle our exercise plans to keep our weight high, *but it may still be happening.* We seem to spontaneously regain the weight without really knowing why. "What is our challenge? To give that voice words and sound so that it can speak directly and stop expressing itself through extra weight." Then it goes on and gives examples of case studies of people who used their weight to say, "I don't want you to know me. Stay away." or "I feel powerless. Taking up space gives me power." or "Don't expect too much from me." None of these reasons was realized consciously, and some of the people were "aghast" to find out what they were using their weight to say. There's also a box with many common messages people use: "What does your weight say for you? "Don't notice me. I am not important. I am powerful. I feel powerless. I am a good mother. Feel sorry for me. I don't want sex. I am stable and dependable. Don't mess with me. Don't expect too much of me. I am not perfect. Stay away from me. I feel angry. I am afraid to be all I can be. I am not worthy. I have given up. I am loyal to my family. I don't want to grow up. I don't want you to judge me. I reject you. I need space. I need love." I immediately recognized, "I don't want to grow up," and perhaps "I need space," as well as "I need love" and a few more. I want to examine more of these and see which apply -- indeed that's what the author suggests: "Obviously, our weight speaks to the world in paragraphs, not just sentences. If you maintain a slight distance ... saying to yourself, "I wonder what my weight says for me now?" you'll probably come back to this question over and over again, and come up with a different answer each time. All the sentiments that your weight communicates for you can be brought to your awareness and expressed verbally. Each time you use words, not your weight, to express yourself, you'll *need* the extra weight less. Then it becomes easier and easier to attain the weight you've determined is best for your health and happiness." If this rings a bell for any of you, I highly recommend borrowing this book from the library. Again, it's "The Solution" by Laurel Mellin. Mary M 325-163-145 |
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