Let's Get Fit! Week Tres

We have completed TWO weeks of our Eight Week Challenge of getting FIT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I am beyond thrilled with the number of people participating in the challenge and cheering each other on.

Make sure you go over and check out their goals and their progress. Ashlee Valarie Jen Erin Jane Kspin Saintseester Sandy Paperjunk Kendra Montay Doodles The Other Jen and Becky are all doing an amazing job.

When Sassy posted her mid-week check-in Tuesday, she included a contest with a prize. You still have time to enter by leaving your weekly goals in the comments here. Do it. Now. Well, not now. After you read this fascinating and life-changing post. Mmmm'k?

I have been attending a Beth Moore bible study and she said something a couple weeks ago that really hit home. So I'm going to share, because I am a giver.

Beth called several women on stage and had them put on a coat with a word written on the back. That word described how a person may feel about herself and how she carries that identity wherever she goes.

I was fired from a job a few years ago. The shame from that situation became a part of how I see myself. I lost a lot of confidence in myself. I started expecting less for myself. "Fired" was an ugly word written across my back for everyone to see.

And they could see it in the way I carried myself, the way I spoke, the jobs I interviewed for. But that is NOT who I am. I am not "Fired". I was fired. And it is a new day, and I am a different person. I do not need to identify myself by that experience.

Another woman may have been abused. It has damaged her confidence, her zest for life, her ability to build new relationships. She is NOT an "abused" woman. She is a woman of value and greatness and beauty. She needs to take that coat off and never see herself as a victim, as "less than", ever again.

This was such a valuable lesson for me to learn. We do not need to identify ourselves by our faults, by our mistakes, by terrible things that happened to us. We need to see ourselves as God sees us. As our friends and family see us. As beautiful and amazing men and women.

Are you wearing a coat of shame? Do you consider yourself "lazy" or "fat" or "weary"? Have you been "bankrupt" or "addicted" or "molested"? Have you switched jobs a few times and fear that is all someone will see when you interview for a new position?

If so, make that part of your goal this week. Take your coat of shame off and don't ever wear it again.

My goals for the week are to continue exercising. Make it become a part of my lifestyle. A part of my identity I can be proud of.

I am also going to continue with my intuitive eating. Eat what sounds "right" for my body. And have a salad as a meal each day.

I am also going to start taking off some coats. I am going to work on seeing myself as I truly am and not as the mistakes I have made and the situations I have endured.

What are your goals for the week? Are you going to be taking off a coat too?

Remember to head over to Fussy for some Frump Fighting tips today.
















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