Saturday, January 28, 2012

...eX fAt GirL...


I've done it for so many years that it seems second nature.  I've called myself an ex-fat girl, and I AM in fact an ex-fat girl.  It's a label and persona I've given myself that I realized has done 2 things for me.  It has served as a badge of honor and it has acted as a really sneaky excuse of sorts and a "security blanket" at times.  The badge of honor part has always been apparent.  I went from someone with no real confidence that was scared of everything...to a woman that still gets scared but knows I can face any challenge.  I went from overweight and UNFIT; trapped in a body I hated...to a person that is fit and can be proud to walk down any beach in a bikini.

As for the other part...well it's the part that not many people see; the part that is hidden by confidence that is sometimes real and sometimes fake.  It is the sneaky part that lives in my head and takes up space that could be better used.  You see, I realized lying in bed this morning that as long as I keep thinking of myself as an ex-fat girl...it gives me an excuse to settle...because ANYTHING is better than where I was right?  WRONG.  It's been 8 YEARS since I started that journey and frankly, I don't know why I keep that girl in my head and heart.  "She" does nothing but bring me down and make me see things in the mirror that are not there!   "She" makes me afraid and "she"allows me to settle.  I don't like that.


It's like climbing a mountain.  You want to look up and focus your energy on rising rather than constantly looking back at the ground below.  There's a reason that when you are high up, they tell you not to look down.  It scares you and makes you start thinking about "what ifs" rather than taking it one foot upward at a time.  I don't think this is any different.  I'm afraid that I have lowered my expectations in some ways and been too hard on myself in others.  Sounds confusing, right?  You should live it.

It's time to tighten the harness and look UP.  It's time to let go of the past and all the hurts and disappointments that got me fat in the first place.  It's time to fight for even better and believe that I deserve it it.  I think of my ex-fat girl as a 70lb weight pulling me down slowly...making it harder for me to continue to progress and be truly happy and strong.  It's like Robert Deniro's character in one of my favorite movies, "The Mission", where as penance he is forced to carry heavy things strapped to his back as he and the Catholic priests hike up the side of a mountain and cross rivers to teach the natives Christianity.  Even after he has done his part, he will not let go until the priest cuts the rope for him.  There's no one to cut the rope but me and it's time to find a knife.


 Don't drag old things with you.  It saps your energy and drains you of you true strength.  Let go of past hurt...of the old you...and move forward with greater ease.  Allow yourself to reach new goals and stop letting those things be a silent excuse to be less than you want to be.  Look up, not down and allow yourself to be strong.

22 comments:

  1. Love this!! I needed this today! At times, I too think of my 70 LB heavier me and it pains me and screws with my head. I need to let go of that mess and focus on the NOW. Here's to looking up and always forward!!! :-)
    Brenda Glidden

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  2. Truly inspirational! I've been following the Facebook group for some time but haven't been to the blog site until now.

    You've just motivated me to get back on my workout routine. Thanks, and great job!

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  3. Truly inspiring words. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  4. I'm an ex-fat girl too. I see your point in not dragging the hurt along with you but I'm not quite as mean to my old self because I know my old self is looking ahead at the new me saying, "you go girl, you rocked it!"

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  5. Oh, I can so relate to this! 2 years ago I lost 120 pounds through diet and exercise. Yet, in the back of my mind, that other person is there waiting to sneak out. She haunts me at times and as you say, I sometimes use her as my excuse. I came out of fear and no self-confidence, to capable and confident. Thank you for sharing! Deb S.

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  6. Wow Marsha! Thank you for sharing. I think that so many of us don't have the courage to just let go of that girl but I am so with as an ex fat girl in transition. WE are all beautiful and it is time to let our lights shine from the inside as well as the outside. You are an inspiration.

    Kristin

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  7. Wow ! What an inspiration you are! I too am an ex fat girl still constantly trying to improve! Love your blogs and posts! Keep it up!

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  8. Marsha -
    Thank you so much! I often used to refer to myself as a fat girl stuck in a skinny girl's body. Even though I lost the weight, got strong and fit, I still have those same fears, and often feel my "fat self".
    Thank you for sharing, and helping me to remember to be strong and skinny and proud!

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  9. Wow! If I were alone right now I would be crying! I am not an EX fat girl...yet. Because of this I plan on skipping that phase so I don't waste any more of my life on this!
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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  10. Thank you for posting this. And reminding me that I really do have to "look forward". I am on a path of health, and I need to remember to look ahead, at where I'm headed. I need to keep that focus in mind, instead of thinking of where I came from. Once again, thank you!

    -Kimelah

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  11. Right on, Marsha! The inner work is just as difficult and maybe even more important then the outer work! xo Sarah, a fellow work in progress

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  12. I have lost 98lb and your talking abut me right??? I feel just the same, I am so grateful to know others feel like this so thanks so much for posting. The SINS angels inspired me to start a blog and I have done that today. Maybe a step towards putting the ex-fat girl to bed!

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  13. THANK YOU!! I'm once again trying to change my lifestyle to be healthier and more fit. Today was my second day of REALLY paying attention to my food choices and "controlling" myself. It has been empowering. I am excited to see what tomorrow brings.

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  14. Wow. Thank you for posting this, Marsha. As an ex-fat girl who never ever was active or physical -- to the woman who got fit and became a trainer - only to then become chubby and out of shape and no longer training clients, this was truly what I needed to read. My own rags to riches to rags story - needs to turn again to riches and there isn't anyone responsible EXCEPT FOR ME. I need to 'just do it'. No excuses. Thank you for posting. (And, have been wondering where you have been -- miss your blogs.)

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  15. thanks Marsha~repost to share this along. Love It!

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  16. WOW! Just found this BLOG! AMAZING, keep up the great work!

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  17. Oh, so true Marsha! I keep losing/regaining the same 40 pounds and have never understood why. The lightbulb just went on. I have been looking backwards, in fear. Whatever is out there in the dark, I will defeat or at least give it a good run for its money. No more scale, daily exercise moving my body that the good Lord gave me. No looking down or back. Up and forward for the duration. Thank you for the inspiration!!xo

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  18. Dont know what it is but every time I check your blog I think you are somehow in my head!You truly reach me each and every time.Thank you!

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  19. I lost 37lbs from jan 2011-June 2011. In August 2011 I began crossfit.

    Sometimes on skill days, I will tie on a 35lb kettle bell or hold a couple weights while doing my workout-- just to remind myself of my old weight & how far I've come.

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  20. you looked good!

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