the announcement post
Posted: August 11, 2010 at 8:01 pmI think I have alluded to the things going through my head and what I’ve been planning out (with God’s help) enough. Now it’s time to officially get this show on the road. I’m admittedly nervous. Okay…make that very, very nervous. Why? Because I care about this A LOT. It has been put on my heart for awhile now to do something to bring us closer to fully loving ourselves. Self- love is such a difficult thing for many to grasp and truly believe. I’m still a work in progress and always will be. However, I know I have made tremendous strides in past years. A lot of that came from participating in what I am about to propose here. Bear with me as I go through a bit of background and then get to the nitty gritty details. Kay?
The Background
Many of you know, I struggled with binge eating in my past. I can vividly recall times driving home from work where I would stop at the store to pick something up to shove down my throat to hide other emotions and a strong feeling of worthlessness in the process. Or staying home “sick” from work to have a day to just wallow with food. I hid it for years. From early 2004 until the very end of 2007. I can recall my first binge in detail as well as my last one before recovery.
How did recovery happen for me? I stopped expecting to just be able to suddenly make that change and finally decided to take a long hard look at myself. I took time every morning to reflect on things about life and how to appreciate myself more fully. For me, this time was prayer to God, but I also believe any personal reflection would have helped in the process to save me from myself. Even after conceiving little M, which solidified my efforts in becoming binge-free, I depended on that personal reflection. Lately, wonderful friends – from church, from everyday life, from blogs (LISA!!) – have mentioned time and time again how my decision to use prayer and self reflection to overcome my personal image issues also helped them. My original thinking was simply, “Cool! I’m glad it helped”. Then, in no other way to describe it besides God working through me, I couldn’t deny that I could share this in a more widespread manner. So here comes the details…as short and pain-free as possible. I know this post is uber-long.
What: 30 Days of Reflection for Self-Love
Who: Anyone!! Literally – pass this along to whoever. Share it on your blog or with people outside of the blogosphere. Everyone can participate. This is NOT a prayer or Christian only cause. It is for every person who wants to take time to love him or herself and gain a new perspective on their value. Call it prayer, meditation, self reflection, quiet time…whatever. It is for EVERYBODY!
Where: Here on Faith, Fitness, Fun with a very short post published every morning with the brief message to reflect on each day.
When: I will begin the daily reflection posts on September 1 and they will continue for the 30 days of the month of September. Take literally 5 minutes sometime throughout each day to reflect on the topic.
Why: To help us all learn to love ourselves more and to uplift one another in the process. To begin to realize our true beauty and value. To battle the inner dialogue that strives to bring us down.
I fought taking this step. Purely out of fear. That no one will care. That no one will see the point. That no one will participate. Then, I came to the realization, it doesn’t matter how many this helps. It matters if it helps just one person understand their worth more. I trust God to reach who He wants to reach. And I pray that you fabulous ladies help support this. If you know you want to participate and feel like this can reach others the same way I believe, look for a special (SHORT) post in the morning strictly for stating your interest. It’s not a huge commitment, but could be one very worth each of our while. Let’s do this together - sharing a community of love and recognizing just how wonderful each of us are!
Tags: binging, self-love reflections
I just found your blog and I’m IN! I’ve been fighting self-hating demons non-stop for a long time. I’m a binger, a triathlete and a perfectionist and looking to break FREE of my compulsions.
I’m actually on a work-related mission to find health/fitness blogs on behalf of Luna Bar, for whom I work on a part-time basis; we are searching for northeast-region bloggers to send promotional Luna Bars to. I can’t find anything on your blog about your location. Are you in the northeast?
Anyway, I plan to follow your September 30 Days of Self-Reflection for Self-Love, regardless. It is a wonderful thing you are doing!
I’m so glad you came across my blog! I really hope this helps you out like it did for me. I think this is going to be so great for us all to do together.
And unfortunately I live in Georgia. Otherwise I would certainly be interested. Especially since Luna Bars are a favorite of mine.
Oh, too bad! But I’m glad that you like Luna Bars! They really are a great convenience food, and the company is wonderful to work for. Looking forward to 30 days of positivity.
I’m in. This is a great step for all of us. You know I’m in. This helped me tremendously and I BELIEVE in it! 🙂
Thanks for being you Tina :).
Tina! I love this idea. You’re such a passionate and caring person and I can’t wait. 🙂
I’m in!!!
What a SUPERB idea and one that makes a POSITIVE difference in the world, starting one person at a time:) I know my sweet husband will be happy that I do this because he often says I don’t love myself enough. I’m hard on myself a lot and often don’t forgive myself for things said or done in the past and I want to love myself more so that I can love others better, too. I also want to focus on the positive and not the negative in my life, starting with how I view myself. Maybe I’ll be able to see myself as God sees me. That’s what I’m after- to see God’s reflection through me and for others to see Him through my eyes.
God bless your beautiful heart! 🙂
Those are all things that will be included as topics throughout this journey. I really hope it helps others like it did for me. I still benefit from it. I’m so excited!!!
Girl, you KNOW I’m in!! 🙂 I’ll do whatever I can to support this. You are fabulous and you make such a difference in the lives of so many people, I hope you realize that.
I’m getting teary reading the comments. Thank you so much for your support, Em. You are a true friend.
How can you not love self love?!
I think that should be the new motto for this. LOL
Congratulations on taking such a wonderful step for yourself and all those who will be helped by you! It sounds like a really beautiful project!
you are amazing and have the biggest, most beautiful heart. i’ll respond in the AM too, but count me in 🙂
What a GREAT idea, Tina!! I know my posting has been very sporadic, but I am definitely going to try and attempt to join! You are such a wonderful person and I just know you’ve helped so many people with your words and your story so far…I know you are not “finished” yet! 🙂
I’m totally in! Thanks for doing this, Tina!!
Tina, have a truly amazing soul! What a beautiful idea/project! I can’t wait to hear more about it, and of course, you can count me in 🙂
This is going to be fabulous. Bring on September!
Oh I am so in! I am so glad that you put this out there. It needs to be said and heard by all. And like you said, it doesn’t matter if it only impacts one person, that still is enough. I’ve been feeling convicted lately about praying more often throughout the day. This just pushes me right in that direction. God is using you Tina for the benefit of His kingdom!
I really just go where He leads me. It’s been a crazy path, but I could not imagine my life any more fulfilling than it already is. I know it can be though…because He is AMAZING!
I love this idea!! We really should take time out each day to love and appreciate ourselves and the lives that we are blessed to have 🙂
This is a beautiful idea and totally inspiring! Good for you for spreading positivity through self-acceptance and self-love! 🙂
Tina, this is awesome. I’m so glad that even though you fought it, you decided to inspire the rest of us. 🙂
awwwweeesssommmeeee 🙂 you are, and so your message will be too!!
What a wonderful idea!! I’ve struggled with bingeing for several years. I’ve recently regained control, by not putting restrictions on myself. It helps out tremendously!
What a lovely idea! I definitely struggled with self-love for YEARS during my binging days, and I feel like negative-talk still affects so many of us!
Looking forward to September! 😀
Yay! I finally realized that my issues with self-love were a big part of my binging issues. This helped me so much and I can only hope it does for others. I’m super passionate about it!
I think it’s a great idea, Tina. 🙂 It’s important to love yourself for who you are- I think that’s the underlying theme a lot of us try to convey through our blogs one way or the other.
TIna, this is a wonderful idea! I will definitely be reading your reflection posts in September. I can’t wait 🙂
This is an AMAZING idea!!! You are an amazing gal!!! I am posting this on my OB post tomorrow!
aw, i love this post! when i read your story about God working through you, right away i remembered “it’s not by might…but by my spirit..” sooo good. thanks for sharing 🙂
Tina! I would love to participate and share your message on my blog. I am constantly struggling with being happy with my self and proud of my body. I am so excited to share in this journey with you! Thank you for always being such an inspiration!
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I love this idea and I posted about it on my little blog. I am totally going to be taking a part in it and I will make sure to refer all of the people that might read my blog to come and check out this time for self-love! 🙂
Thanks again for the link love and the support. You are awesome!
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if I didn’t mention it earlier, you are seriously incredible. of course I will participate! I know I’m a new reader, but your passion (and compassion) is seriously inspiring. thank you for being you!
You are such an inspiration to me and I would be more than happy to join in!
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As part of my challenge to myself, Tina, I’d LOVE to join in! I turn 28 on the 30th of this month, and since the beginning of July, I’ve been on a mission to makeover my lifestyle, rid myself of negative thinking, etc. before I start another year of my life. So far, it’s working! This’ll be a great way to do so!
Hope you and your baby are doing well!!
Love how you plan on changing your life for the better. Too many people think “Oh, I’m turning ___ years old and need to lose weight to look my best by then”. Love your approach! It will be much more fulfilling I’m sure.
Count me in on the reflection 🙂
I just found your blog and I think what you’re doing it AMAZING so count me in!
Now it’s time to play catch up and read your previous entries! 🙂
What a great idea! Can’t wait for September!
What a great idea!
This is a great idea! It would be amazing if you had an icon or something we could put on our blogs to direct people to your site. If it is ok with you I would like to direct people to your blog today when I post.
Elizabeth
The hubs and I made a button last night for it. The code to copy and paste for your site is on my next post title “Are you in?”
Thank you for your support!
I’m in! I just recently found your blog (about a week ago) and I’ve really enjoyed reading it! AND I’ve been SEVERELY neglecting my blog, so this gives me motivation. AND what a GREAT topic to reflect on – it’s something I could definitely use in my life.
Thanks for the idea and invite – I’m excited!
This makes me so happy to read. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words.
What a great idea!! I really love this 🙂
I LOVE THIS GIRL!!!
I am so glad that you started this- WOW what a servant! thank you for being obedient and doing this!! God LOVES it when we can reflect on HIS creation. I LOVE THIS!! I am so in girl! you are awesome!
Tina bravo to you for revealing this…i can imagine it feels like such a huge weight off your shoulders. I am so happy for you to be able to trust in yourself knowing this was the right decision AND of course for your progress and of course for your faith. I think your 30 day challenge is wonderful and I know it will be a big hit with everyone!
Thx for your support too 🙂 as moms, we need to make family #1, all blog stuff is #2. And safety first, too of course!
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you make me excited. this is fantastic. i LOVE it.
Thank you I’m new to your blog and I’m In. I’m currently in the process(4 years and counting) of re-training my brain to be positive about myself and others, but it’s real hard too when my foundation is built on judging. 🙁 So I’m all up for it.
I’m so happy to hear your excitement! It does take time to continuously be more positive, but certainly is worth the effort. Hope to continue to see you around the blog. 🙂
i just found your blog, and i’m in! i love that it’s open to everyone. thanks for being so open and honest on your blog!
I can never keep it all in. I love to share! From the tough to the silly to the uplifting. Thanks for the kind words and I’m glad you’ll be participating. I added you to my list. 🙂
I was sent to this page by Sherris minor… I am totally in! What a great idea! I already have a morning practice and this small addition will be a wonderful gratitude exercise for me. I am enthusiastic to participate and connect with everyone!
Lauren Sheehan
http://www.femininerhythm.com
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thank you so much for this! i am definitely in!!