Apples and Oranges Don’t Add Up
By Laura Kelly-Pifer
As I sit here typing out my post for today, I’m reminded how far I’ve come in my journey to become healthy and fit. Let me share some things with you.
Growing up, I hated my body and that feeling didn’t change even after I had become an adult. I felt fat even when I wasn’t. I didn’t like my curves and most all, my butt was too big and my boobs were too small. I heard about it and all through school. I thought that maybe if I looked like Jennifer Anniston or some other fit female that I would feel better about myself. Did that work? No!
These feelings of not being perfect took control of everything I did. How did I try to create what I thought was the perfect body? I lived on popcorn. And when I tell you that, I am not making it up. I really did. It’s all I ate unless we were headed out and then I’d binge eat burgers and tacos at 2 am. Eventually, I broke that cycle but started a new one. And, just like the first, it wasn’t healthy.
Cycle 2 began with a move away from family and friends, starting my own family, being lonely, my diagnosis with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia and I chose to turn to food for comfort. What a 360!! That lasted years; actually, let me be honest, it was more like a decade. I hated the way I looked still and that I couldn’t fit into anything I tried on. But, even more so what stuck out in my mind was…. Would my husband still love me and find me attractive or was he just stuck with me because he said “I do?” I had packed on over 50 pounds since we had met. And the answer to my question was yes. He did love me, including all 50 plus pounds and more and not just because he was stuck.
It took the help of my Beachbody family, the support of my husband and to one of my Coaches, to help break it down for me. I can’t compare myself to anyone else. I have to LOVE me and be who God designed me to be. My weight loss has been a true journey; It’s been one in which I’ve lost, gained, lost, gained plus and then lost and completely got off ALL my medications. So, instead of focusing on who I think I should look like and what I think others perceive me as, I’m focusing on how I can live better. I LOVE my curves and I LOVE my big butt. And you know what…It feels pretty damn AWESOME to say that. Am I still working on losing weight? Yep, I am. I’m headed to a healthy weight for what feels right to me and with what I’m comfortable with.
So, my point today is just this… don’t compare yourself to others but instead work to be your personal best. Apples and oranges don’t add up; they are two different things. And remember, that no one has permission to make you feel inferior or inadequate. You are in control.
Wishing you good health!
Laura
Laura Kelly-Pifer is a Fitness Coach who strives to help others by giving hope and support to those that are dissatisfied with their current situation. Whether you are lacking physically, emotionally, financially, or nutritionally she is here to help you see REAL RESULTS!
Keep being you! Comparing yourself to others just makes you miserable! Great post!
Thanks Jessica! I’m definitely going to take your advice and keep being me. Have a great day!
Thanks for being so transparent. Sometimes people just need to know that they’re not alone.
Thanks Stacey! This was something that I really felt I needed to share with others. Have a great day!
Laura,
Another great post! This couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I have ALWAYS struggled with comparing myself to others and because of that I got frustrated very easily and found myself giving up telling myself that I could never look like them. This one really sits close to my heart. It’s comforting knowing that I am not alone when it comes to this. It took me a long to figure this out. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jack. This was something I just had to share. Have a GREAT day!