I Should Be Skinny Before I Color My Hair

The latest Insider Story from Andrea ties nicely into the concept of acceptance. Acceptance means seeing things as they actually are and in the present moment.

Acceptance in this sense argues that rejecting what already is, is madness.

This madness creates feelings of inadequacy, fear, and rejection of the self. That said, acceptance does not imply defeat or resignation to your current state of being. In fact, acceptance is the first step in the process of change. When we accept things as they are, such as our body weight, the process of changing becomes easier because we have a clearer view of our actual starting point.

The change process is no longer filled with a sense of fear and urgency. Your weight begins to drop because you can now make rational food and exercise responses to your conditions rather than irrational and counterproductive reactions. It short, you respond rather than react.

If you are overweight or inactive or emotionallly eat, accept these conditions as truths. Surrender to the facts and accept them. Surrender is not a weakness, but strength.

In addiction treatment, one must surrender to the condition before they can recover. Are the behaviors of those struggling with emotional eating, inactivity and self-acceptance any different?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Here is Andrea’s latest inventory submission at week 4 of the Healthy Weights program.

Yesterday I went out and bought a hair color.  This is significant to me because it is one of those things I was always going to do "when I lost the weight".

I have been holding off on doing my hair for years thinking I should be skinny before I color my hair. 

Sounds crazy, I guess, but true!

Drew, you had told me to learn to like myself now...otherwise I will be disappointed when I "lose the weight" so I am trying to do things as rewards for small goals reached instead of waiting till I reach my end goal.

My hope is that this can build my self confidence while making it easier to stay motivated.

And maybe, just maybe I can learn to like myself just the way I am.

More Insider Stories are available here. Share your thoughts and words of encouragement for Andrea in the comments section below.