Well done ladela! With the cold weather I've been going for the stodge too; it's so great not feeling guilty about it.
Lilred, try ebay or amazon marketplace-- you can usually find one for about 1/2 price.
Hippo, I'm really sorry you're feeling so down on yourself. I know the feeling; it's hard to look at a stretch-mark riddled overhanging belly (and I didn't even have a c-section) and send it love and approval. I think accepting and approving of yourself as you are is really important to the programme though so we'll have to work on it! The last few days I've been trying to make an effort to fix myself up every day** and I've bought a few clothes that I think are flattering (not too many as I'm hoping not to need them for long!)-- I'm trying to pretend I'm already my thin self, who would never think of leaving the house in some of the sad sacks I've been in, and it gives me a little boost. I also thought this exercise, from later on in the journal, might help you out:
A lady came to one of my weight-loss seminars determined that this time it would be different. Whatever the programme was, she was going to follow it to the letter until she'd lost every pound she'd gained since her last baby was born. But when I asked her to look in the mirror and approve of herself as she was, she wanted to leave the room. "I've never approved of myself," she confessed. "I'm not sure I know how!"
Here is all you need to do:
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Begin by sending approval to your big toe, or any part of your body about which you are indifferent. Simply tell it that you are approve of it and are willing to love it as it is right now.
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Work your way through every part of your body until you can love and approve of EVERYTHING. If you've really never done this before, it's OK if it takes a few days or even weeks.
Remember, approval doesn't mean you won't change-- it just means you won't be in terrible emotional pain when you do!
And here is day 5 as well. Keep up the good work everyone!
Day 5
Close your eyes and vividly imagine it's a year from now and you have had your best year so far. What must have happened for that to be true?
Be specific about each area of your life: your health, your career, your relationships, your finances, your spirituality.
Remember it's very important to be clear. If you put vagueness out you will get vague results back. So take a few minutes and imagine your life has become outrageously better.
Then, at least five times today, spend a few moments thinking about how good your life can be!
**so far this extends to brushing my hair and putting on a necklace.