The Dreaded Picture

By
Mindy
Published: August 18, 2010Posted in: General/Miscellaneous, Health and BeautyComments: 12Tags: , ,

I’m fairly certain that most everyone has experienced this at one time or another.

How about you?  Ever been featured in a photograph in a not-so-flattering manner?  And upon discovery of said photograph a shock of shivers (and not the fun kind) trickle down your back at the realization that members of the public have not only seen you looking like this but it is now forever in existence thanks to digital media, a’la Facebook?

For some, perhaps the picture showcased a particularly unkind double-chin.  For others it could have been a visual red-flag revealing one’s need to permanently remove a collection of turtleneck sweaters and acid-washed denim jackets from one’s wardrobe.  Or, quite possibly, that small-rod perm you swore would transform you into an America’s Next Top Model jumps off the photo paper with a less than attractive effect.

For me, the picture only solidified a pressing feeling I’ve been unable to permanently tamper down.  And God knows I’ve tried.

The picture reminded me (in a not so kind way) that I have got to drop some pounds. I’m talking serious butter here, people.

The denial by which I have heretofore managed to utilize as a replacement for any real commitment to dieting has now forever been squashed due to the mental image now imprinted on my brain.

The dreaded picture.

So, you might be asking yourself, Mindy, haven’t you already made such revelations in previous blog posts, such as this?  And, didn’t you, in fact, enlist your husband to act as your Weight Watchers weigh-in coach?  My answer would be a resounding yes.  And that was a big fat ton of fun.  Not.  Weight loss is a process, people.  Apparently, for this suburban wife it’s a long one.

So, what am I going to do with this newfound motivation-via-humiliation?

Well, I plan on taking a big, deep look at why I overeat and what I can do to work on that problem. And I also plan on finishing my recent Amazon purchase, the book, “If I Am So Smart, Why Can’t I Lose Weight?” by Brooke Castillo.  I’ve only read a couple of chapters thus far but I really like the tone of the author’s writing and her attempt at bringing humor to an otherwise depressing topic.

And I’m all about the humor.  I’m also all about finding the positives in negative situations.

Yes, I’m a bit of a chunky monkey.  And, yes, I like to eat Cheezits.  Lots of them.  A weakness.  But, I’ve got a host of other attributes that make up a whole lot more of who “Mindy” is than my pant size.  Which, admittedly, is a little bigger this year than last year.  But, this is why they make yoga pants.  See?  I’m all about the positives.

And I’m learning that it’s a lot more effective to focus on your attributes than to dwell on your negative characteristics.  It makes much more sense to remind yourself what’s particularly “kick-ass” about you and once you’ve mastered the whole “loving” yourself situation, the rest will fall into place.

I admit that this post has been a bit therapeutic with some psycho-babble thrown in, but in true “The Suburban Life” form, I’m telling it like I see it.

Changes are afoot, my friends, and when I’m able to crop a proud “After” picture beside it, I’ll share the Dreaded Picture with you all.

P.S.  Happy Birthday to my mom!  Love you tons (no pun intended.)

Mindy


Related posts:

  1. Desperate times…my hubby is my WeightWatchers coach.
  2. New Year Goal Number One
  3. Weight Loss Woes – How many epiphanies can one actually have?

About the Author