Fact/Meaning

The fact is that I am overweight. The meaning I have attached to this fact is that I am lazy, unworthy, and unsuccessful. The results I have created in my life by believing this meaning include remaining overweight, feeling uncomfortable in my own skin, and believing I will fail at trying to change my weight because I'm not worth the effort anyway. This carries over into the rest of my life because I hold back from participating in many activities because of my weight and hide behind knowledge and experience in other areas, such as work, to take the attention off of my weight. This results in loneliness and lack of any close relationships.

Reading these thoughts is very emotional to me. I have lived with these meanings for longer than I care to admit and the only recognizable reward has been that I get to be right.

I know today that I have choices! The fact that I am overweight is still true, but I can change the meaning of this fact to whatever I chose that will better serve me and help me reach my goals. I can add to the fact of being overweight that I am strong and getting stronger. I know this is true because I can do 30 push-ups on my feet now (3 sets of 10) and 8-9 months ago I could hardly do 2 push-ups on my knees. I can lift and swing higher weights than I would have even thought of trying 9 months ago.

I am overweight, and also strong and getting stronger. The meaning I choose to attach to this fact is that I am making small changes to release the extra weight I am carrying around and have many tools and great support available to help and encourage me. I am capable of improving my fitness and being more active and will push through the feelings of discomfort and enjoy my progress as it comes. I will stop hiding behind other accomplishments and develop honest and trusting relationships with others by being vulnerable and bold.

I am a trusting, bold, worthy woman and this new meaning to the fact of being overweight will better support me in stepping into who I know I can be.