28 Day Wellness Program Completed

We completed the 28 day Wellness Program a few days ago. I found it to be an amazing experience in kindness to myself and my body as well as a wonderful time to investigate my relationship to myself. I feel much, much better eating well. My moods are more stable and my energy level. I was very impressed by the results after 28 days.

Weight
BEFORE: 187
AFTER: 177
CHANGE: -10 lbs

Waist at Belly Button
BEFORE: 44 in
AFTER: 43 in
CHANGE: - 1 in

Hips
BEFORE: 47 in
AFTER 45 in
CHANGE -2 in

Here are some photos:

FRONT:
BEFORE

AFTER


SIDE
Before


After



FACE
Before


After

I plan to continue to eat in Week 1 of the plan since it supports me to feel better and to enjoy my life more, and I would like to continue to work towards my goal weight. Since we finished, I have eaten a few things not allowed on the program (pizza, potato chips), but still most of my meals have been in line with the plan. It has become sort of a habit, which is helpful. I am also noticing a relationship between success and a desire to compulsively eat, which seems to be fueled by this long standing story I tell myself about how I don't deserve to have the life that I want and to define success on my terms. A better person martyr's and sacrifices herself for others. I am slowly learning to no longer believe that story. It doesn't work. In fact, I am better for others when I take care of myself and can share the best of myself.

Overall, it is really nice to know who good I can feel, and that it isn't too hard to make what I eat a priority. Also, it is the first time that a goal weight of having a healthy BMI, which for me means weighing under 150, feels like it could be a reality. As I write that I can feel the fear that I have around "being small".

It is time to re-frame that. The size of my spirit and my life is not in direct proportion to the size of my body. In fact, I imagine it works the other way -- the healthier I am, the larger I can be. I think this idea works with my work as well. My coach was telling me that I get paid as the director of two programs to "make smart, heartfelt choices for a bigger purpose". Framed like that, self-care becomes an essential part of my work as well, since I need to do everything I can to support my ability to continue to do that.