Friday, April 18, 2008

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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18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for that post. It really hits home right now, since we are probably going to lose our home due to the pathetic economy. I never thought we would be a statistic. I am embarrassed, ashamed. We work so hard to have what we do, and now it's all going away. But, I'll take off that shameful coat today!

Sister Sassy said...

anony, I can totally empathize. We didn't lose our house but through many awful circumstances all happening at once we ended up selling it as a short sale. Short sales were new and I didn't know what it meant, it wasn't even that short, maybe a few thousand....

Needless to say that has followed me because it looks much like a forclosure...ugh... I felt like such a failure, which was so disappointing because I thought I had avoided it when we did the short sale. Not so. We can't purchase a home now until Sept 2009 because of that short sale. We've even offered to pay back the amount we were short, they just don't care.

Take care, don't let this reflect on you. This stuff is happening to everyone everywhere. It doesn't define you and it won't beat you. Just like with us, it make knock you down but it can't keep you there.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Sassy! Your kind words mean alot.

Ashlee said...

Honey Bunch...you always write the best posts {YOU too Sassy!}. Loving the warm fuzzies today. Really needed it. I think my coat says "freak" on it. :0) And everyone knows it.

In all seriousness...this 8 Week Challenge kept me from some serious emotional eating yesterday as I wore my freak coat.

We are defined by how we see ourselves and how we carry ourselves. Unfortunately, that's the hard part. Self-image.

Sister Sassy said...

Heck yeah Ash, thats why I love this new spin on frump. I don't care how good you look outside because if you don't feel good inside you'll feel like garbage. Btw, I love me some freaks, but I tend to lean that way myself. So, even in your freaky moments, just think "Sassy would still hang with me in my basement cause she likes freaks". Now take off that coat girl!

I'm glad the challenge is helping you, we're here for support if you need it, in any way you need it.

My coat... Im taking of the coat called... Rhymes with Spitball.

This week has been hard for me since I have let my old mistakes come at me full force for some reason. It hasn't resulted in bad goal acheivement but in feeling like crap about me. I will NOT let my misteps have me!

Valarie Lea said...

This is a great post, I think I will take of the coat of avoidance. I tend to put things off or just plain ignore it so I don't have to deal with it. I am going to try to stop putting things off.

Also I am feeling better physically now that I have added more water into my diet, and getting back to making better choices in the food area. :)

saintseester said...

I must be wearing several coats. Most of which relate to me net feeling good enough about myself somehow.

On the goal, yesterday I popped into the coffee shop for a skinny (90 cal) drink. Then I added a brownie. Later when I went to eat the brownie, I took a bite and realized, it wasn't that great. So I threw it away. I am not going to eat something just to be eating it. KWIM? It needs to really be worth it or it won't satisfy the dessert craving. I didn't replace it with anything else either. The need for the sweet went in the trash, too.

Baby steps.

Oh, and I put an extra pair of tennis shoes in the trunk, so I can walk at work.

Mackenzies Momma said...

I want to shed a coat this week! I'm trying to shed the coat of 'unwanted' I have been feeling really dumpy as lately it seems the only person with a Y gene interested in me is someone i can't stand. So I'm going to go out and shamelessly flirt! (since i'm single and can do this)

(oh by the way i updated my Ftf)

Woman in a Window said...

Oh no! I'm a fraud. How did I get into your contest? I made anti-goals if I remember correctly and I didn't even post about it. I get sidetracked very easily. I however am taking part of a study in Canada on women and mothering and I've just realized on day one of the study that I do not believe in myself. So, if anything, I'm going to make an effort to believe in myself more. Not so easy, is it? But please, don't let me ruin your contest. You've got some really worthy entries. (There I go again!)

Sister 7 said...

Good post. We need to try and not let our feelings of failure keep us from fullfilling the plans God has for us, and if we aren't sure what those plans are keep praying for guidance and God will take you through each step and will help you take off each coat.

Sister 7 said...

To Anonymous: I am a certified financial counselor, (free) let me know if I can help you. I may be able to show you a different view.

PhotoChick said...

What an awesome post - great words of advice. I know I've worn my fair share of shameful coats. Right now though, I'm wearing a coat of immense pride and joy... A coat that simply says, "Mother"

GREAT post! Happy Frump Fighting! Much love and God Bless

Anonymous said...

This was SUCH a great post--very very insightful and inspiring. You motivated me to get back on track and post my goals for the week!

becky said...

Great post...my pastor always says, The me I see is the me I'll be". I am so thankful the God sees me through the blood of the cross and I can choose to view myself through His eyes!

Unknown said...

Awesome post! Great encouragement, and I needed it today! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This whole message seems to make all of my personal goals that much more achievable. Very powerful message. I'm so glad that you shared it. I guess I can take off that 'guilty' coat now! ;)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this awesome message! It was EXACTLY what I needed to read today. I don't get on here daily (I wish I could), but when I do, I just LOVE everything!! You girls are the best. I feel like I've known you sisters my whole life :) LOL.

Anonymous said...

Good Job! :)