I generally don’t listen in on other peoples conversations, but I was glad I did the other day.
I was at a cafe seated near a group of 30 something women.
As I sat at my table I overheard them talking about the new diets they were on. One was going vegan, another was on a caveman diet, someone was counting points and another mentioned cutting out sugar.
I didn’t think much of it, as I tend to avoid conversations like that.
Fifteen minutes later, I overheard them again…still talking about diets.
Really!?!?!
They appeared to be amazing women. Surely they had more to talk about than food and the last few pounds they want to lose before summer.
Each of them must have huge hopes and dreams and goals for themselves and those that they love. Each of them must have a hope for the world.
How much time is being wasted thinking and talking about food and weight instead of living life and making dreams come true?
I wanted to walk over to them and say “It’s not about the weight or the food. That is not what you are really upset about. No diet plan will make you happy – not really. Please stop focusing on the numbers on the labels and on the scale – they are just distracting you from doing the real work that you need to do to get free and happy.”
I get it though. I have been at that table.
I missed out on so much when I was consumed with thoughts of calories taken in, calories burned, minutes logged in the gym, and driving down the numbers on the scale.
I missed being a supportive big sister to my little brother when he was a teenager – a time that a big sister could have been really helpful.
I missed the “Freshman in college” experience because I was busy sitting alone in my freezing cold dorm room searching the internet for recipes that I would never make and thinking about if I should or shouldn’t eat a blueberry muffin the next morning.
I missed so many potential friendships, professional opportunities and once in a life time adventures.
Please do not feel sorry for me. I don’t. I am grateful for every experience I’ve had and haven’t had along the way.
I felt it all and let go of the guilt and shame a long time ago and replaced it with thanks and inspiration.
Had my past not been what it was my present could not be what it is now.
And, my present rocks….a lot. I am so grateful.
One of my big wishes for the world is that everyone can truly heal their relationships with food and their bodies and love themselves, not in spite of their pasts, but because of them.
By doing so everyone would have so much time! Time that could be spent having fun, feeding passions, fulfilling dreams, creating real change in their lives and in the world.
Doesn’t that sound way better than worrying about if eating a piece of cake will end the world as you know it or beating yourself up about craving potato chips?
I think so. I hope you do to.
I want to hear from you. What do you want to spend your time thinking about, talking about, and doing?
What is more important then calories and pounds?
Leave a comment below or tag me in a post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and show me what you are up to. Get your friends involved next time the diet talk starts. Change the conversation. Change your life.
I really love seeing what you are doing and helping to support you in any way that I can.
Much love,
Katie