Let It Go

This post has nothing to do with a popular Disney song except in name only. And this one image.

Let’s start with a simple premise, people can be mean. People can be really, really mean. I really do hate to admit it, because I believe in the idea that humans, when push comes to shove, are generally good. But I also realize that they can be big jerks. This journey is difficult by itself, and a lot of times, other people will try and sabotage you in some other way. I won’t sugar coat this, because otherwise I might shove that into my gob as well.

People are going to try to sabotage you in many subtle ways (so subtle they might not even realize they are doing it). They will warn you about lifting weights because you might accidentally get “too bulky.” Which is an absolute myth. It takes years of focused, dedicated work to look like a bodybuilder, and it is a conscious choice. My wife, a dedicated lifter who can (as a percentage of body weight) lift more than me, doesn’t look bulky. Lifters like Arnold, Kai Greene, or Dana Linn Bailey train hard and work day in and day out to achieve that specific look. The average person who lifts weights won’t even come close to looking like them unless they work for it. Which, if that is what they want to do, is their choice. But one shouldn’t worry about looking like that.

People are going to try and give you food that can’t fit your diet, or doesn’t work with your long term goals. They will ask you if you really NEED to lose weight. Or they will look shocked when you say you haven’t hit your goal weight. They might even say that you are getting too skinny. They are going to question every decision that you make with YOUR body. And you know what, they are totally wrong. Only one person in the world should make decisions about your body, and that’s you. Small disclaimer: a caveat could be made for people with unhealthy habits such as bulimia or anorexia. If you are struggling with an eating  disorder like that please go speak with someone. We here at Tips of the Scale care far too much about you to see you hurt like that.

When this happens, you need to let these words wash over you like water. Your journey is your own, nobody else’s. You need to let go of what other people are telling you, what they are thinking of you, and embrace your change. What you are doing is good for you, healthy for you, and in the end, nobody knows your body better than you. If somebody is trying to dictate your change, your life, don’t get confrontational. Smile and nod, but don’t take their words to heart. Let their words go, and get on with your life. You are strong, you are powerful, and you got this. I believe in you. Everyone here at Tips of the Scale believes in you. And your true friends, they also believe in you. But most importantly, more important than anything else, you believe in yourself.