Blog
Being critical and upset with my body
by Amy Riley
October 26, 2011
A couple of week ago I ran the Chicago marathon. It was my first marathon. Overall, I’m quite pleased with myself for accomplishing such a feat! And…at the same time, if I’m completely honest, I was also somewhat disappointed with my body. I thought I could run it faster than I did. I wasn’t as “good” as I hoped I could be.
Since acknowledging the disappointment I felt and living in a body that was really sore and had knots ALL over, I saw how easy and natural it was for me to be critical and upset with my body. I realized how I had immediately gone to seeing the “lack” – what I didn’t achieve, what my body couldn’t do. Instead of feeling strong and proud (that I had just run a freaking marathon!!), I was feeling discouraged and weak.
Well, after a good couple days of wallowing, I decided to put an end to that! I am now appreciating all that my body has done. I’m intentionally looking at all it has accomplished. The list of achievements is pretty significant, and I’m now feeling great about my body’s abilities.
This whole experience reminded me of how hard we can be on ourselves, and especially on our bodies. It’s easy and natural for us humans to be critical of how our bodies are looking and performing. We hear so many complaints about our bodies: “I need to lose weight.” “My body is getting old and can’t do what it used to.” “My knees are bad.” “I have allergies.” And so on… We hear all this, yet the truth is that our bodies handle a great deal for us and serve us in many ways on a daily basis.
I encourage you to take a moment to be aware of how you’re being critical of your body. And then look at how you can shift your thoughts to ones that are more positive and appreciative.
What do you see for yourself? Are you being too critical of your body? And…what can you acknowledge your body for?
HI Amy, Thanks for a great blog and your honesty about what happened after you ran the marathon. It is so easy especially in our culture to be critical and judgmental of our bodies. I appreciate your reminder to pause and appreciate our bodies and all that they do for us – they carry us through life after all! I appreciate my body for being here for me day in and day out even when I am not nice to it with my thoughts and actions. I am remdinded by your words to treat it with the care it need and deserves. Congratulations to you on the HUGE accomplishment of running a marathon.
Thank you dear Amy. Wow, a marathon and what a marvellous insights. You inspire me to make myself a really tasty and healthy sandwich – right now – and pause/take the time to eat. I will visualise the treat it means for my body and celebrating how well it’s doing and working for me, with her 52 1/2 yrs of age.