Karla’s Korner: Seeking Balance

Seeking Balance

Every once in a while I find myself in need of pulling out my proverbial “soap box; it’s every once in a while. For those who follow my writing know that I made a significant lifestyle change 23 months ago. That lifestyle change I believe saved my life and made me a better person physically and spiritually. Losing nearly 100 pounds in those 23 months has been nothing short of hard work, sacrifice and digging deep within my soul finding a degree of mental toughness that I didn’t know I had. Knowing that this lifestyle change is not just about weight loss but rather a combination of work that involves the mind, body and soul it is I believe necessary to acknowledge that there are sometimes adverse effects of that weight loss. Those adverse effects, I believe, are outweighed by the positive effects brought on by physical weight loss.

After reading a somewhat disturbing article this week by a woman who finds deep sadness in her significant weight loss documenting her stretch marks, leftover flappy skin and the way her unclothed self looks I found myself a bit angry; not exactly sure why it bothered me the way it did. Deciding to dig a bit deeper, search for others who have gone public with their stories and whether they suffer from the same feelings, I was surprised to find that there are more with the same mindset. Sitting in the quiet of my writing corner I began to make a list of the pros and cons of the near 100 pounds I have lost in nearly two years. What I found within myself is that yes, I share some of the same struggles and as I listed each one on the “con” side of the paper I listed even more on the “pro” side. It is a fact of life that we can find good and bad in just about everything we do; what matters is how we deal with each one.

When the journey to transformation, health and wellness began a dear friend shared with me that the number on the scale would take care of itself, that the weight is a bi-product of what was happening on the inside; as the spirit strengthens, deepens and grows the weight will become secondary. Taking time to nurture our inner self is as equally important as it is to nurture our physical self. You cannot successfully have one without the other. As with any element of life it is necessary to find balance, create stability and surround yourself with positivity, productivity and perseverance.

Life is much like the weight loss process in the sense that sometimes we must figure out how to shed the heaviness of what weighs down our spirits creating balance between the good stuff and the not so good stuff. When we find ourselves struggling under the heaviness of life’s responsibilities we feel stressed, out of control and overweight in our spirits. Taking time to shed the heavy stuff focusing on our inner selves our load will be lightened. Much like our physical bodies and the need for a proper diet and regular exercise, our spirits must be exercised and “fed” appropriately as well. Feeding our spirits through mindfulness and authenticity we will become spiritually fit. When we combine proper physical care with proper emotional/spiritual care we become the best version of ourselves possible.
In her blog, “Half Size Me” Heather Robertson interviews Josh Hansen shared his journey to losing 180 pounds. Hansen says that when he started to shed his emotional weight he found success in his emotional weight loss as well. It is truly more than physical weight loss.

This week I encourage to seek out the balance between physical and emotional well-being. Take time to spend in quiet with your own thoughts allowing yourself to feel deep within your soul. Ask yourself what it is that makes you truly happy and then do it. Shed the unnecessary emotional weight and your physical self will benefit as well. Body image consultant Golda Poretsky once said that “Health isn’t about being “perfect” with food or exercise or herbs. Health is about balancing those things with your desires. It’s about nourishing your spirit as well as your body.” Exercise your body. Exercise your spirit. Dig deep. Love hard. Laugh often. Be well.

Peace,
Karla

I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

Read more Karla’s Korner, also please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.

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