Embracing my imperfections

I’ve lost 1.2kg bringing my total weight loss to 7.2kg.

Over the past few weeks lots of people asked me what eating and exercise programme I follow. Most people expected me to give them a rigid list of everything I have to eat from Mondays to Fridays as well as my gym schedule.  I was one of those that always looked for a perfectly planned diet programme. It had to tell me exactly how many strawberries I could eat and when I should eat it.I would follow the diet step by step and as soon as I deviated I would stop, start my binge eating and start with the diet again a few weeks later.

This was the vicious cycle I followed.I had this obsession with being perfect in everything I do. The clothes in my cupboard must be packed in a certain way, the files in the study must be a certain way and the pillows needed to be stacked a specific way.

It was my kids that taught me that life is not perfect. Each one of them had their own peculiar way of doing things and I had to accept it. I had to learn the difference between seeking perfection and striving for peace.This was a starting point in my life realising that there can be beauty in imperfection. My peace came from realising its okay not be perfect. I need to let go and allow myself to be imperfect too. It’s okay to have my chocolate that I craved for so long and just making sure my next meal is a healthy one again. I don’t need to be perfect. My perfection comes from knowing I am always open to empowering myself and being comfortable with the choices I make.

 

I now understand why I have always been interested in Yoga. I started doing yoga and meditation classes. The mediation classes taught me how to quiet my mind and focus on the important things in life. Meditation helps me to live a life of gratitude.  My yoga teacher often tells us not to push your body and only do what it allows you to do. There is no perfect way. I often drive back from yoga classes and laugh with Zina at the funny things I did in yoga class but I am enjoying it because I learnt to embrace my imperfections.

I have learnt to do the things I enjoy. The eating plan I follow is a healthy lifestyle that does not have a specific worked out plan but counts calories. I have chosen to follow

It’s a free online website that tracks my calories and fitness on a daily basis. It is a wonderful website with lots of motivational stories. One of the stories that impressed me the most was that of Katie. She wanted to be healthy and still enjoy her occasional cookies

 

I am of opinion that we as women put too much pressure on ourselves. We have to learn to let go of our desire for perfection and embrace who we are.  I love the detail and still strive for order, that’s who I am and I am comfortable with it but I‘ve also learnt to let go and embrace my imperfections which I have in abundance. Learning this and accepting myself is what drives me more this time than any of the other time I’ve tried to lose weight. This time I realised I want to enjoy being healthy and living a life filled with love and happiness.

Our yoga teacher Anja, is filled with so much love and has inspired me in so many ways. She always ends the class with the words Namaste. I found the meaning of it so profound and would like to end my post with the same words….

Have a week filled with love, joy and gratitude.      
Melanie

Melanie