The “Joy” of the Body Image Movement: from Loathing to Loving your Body!

I recently stumbled upon the Body Image Movement on Facebook, founded by Taryn Brumfitt, and I am now reading her compelling and humor-filled book, “EMBRACE”. Taryn also wrote her opinion on Weight Watchers now targeting their advertising to include their moms and daughters.

I’ll share how the word ‘diet’ has shaped my life. In high school my mother and I went to – you guessed it “Weight Watchers” together. She was not really over weight but may have wanted to lose 10-15 lbs. As for me, it taught me healthy eating and I did drop some weight….but did I really need to? I thought so, now I am not so sure.

Being on Weight Watches then was a secret….I was embarrassed to tell anyone (except my best friend) as none of us ever discussed dieting back then. (Thank God)

Weight Watchers became an obsession, especially in my teen years. (Thinking about meals, preparing, then measuring and weighing everything I ate) – and I guess the question is, is that normal and OK? or was it setting a girl up for future dieting???? and the feeling of not being enough?

I embraced the Weight Watchers lifestyle and lost 16 lbs. in 6 weeks, not deviating one crumb from the rigid program that it was back in the 1970s…. I went from a healthy teen with a little extra body fat to a very lean young woman. (But could it be maintained? Certainly not when I went off to college!)

Was it positive? Yes, in some ways….but damaging in others… as it set me up to feel like I was never quite the size or shape I wanted to be. Looking back I rarely have felt I am OKAY as I am…. esp. back then when the media starting idealizing Twiggy and stick shape models and talking more about celebrity bodies.

I did get into body building in my late 20s…. which had its pros and cons…..Pros in that I was building muscle in a healthy way and embracing my athletic God gifted body, but negative in other ways. Example, much like Taryn in the book Embrace describes, after a body building competition there is only way to go….and that is ‘down’ from your goal. Yes even though I got down to 8.5% body fat, sculpted my body the way I wanted and WON my division… How did I feel???? As I look back I still didn’t feel the success or HAPPY, I thought I would or think my body was ‘perfect enough’.

OMG, that is so sad…. maybe why this ‘movement called Body Image Movement hits so close to home today.

For those who do fitness or body building competitions (or other athletic endeavors) perhaps you can relate. Even though you know intellectually it is not possible or even healthy to stay in that physically lean condition….it truly became hard for me returning to what was a ‘normal’ body and honestly it devastated me.

How did I handle it? I remained fit and worked out religiously in my 40s and 50s- warding off any middle age bulge that I was told would surely and eventually find me… and then in my mid-50’s I went through menopause. Fortunately I didn’t experience drastic mood swings, but I did have the ‘hot flash’ symptoms and put on belly fat…which I called my “men-o-pot”. For the first time in my life, I truly hated my body. I didn’t think it was fair that God would create this ‘widening’ of the body at the time when we women stopped being able to create babies.

Today, at 61 years old- it’s about time to embrace how I am and how I look. I finally get it and want to help others with The Body Image Movement. I think part of my motivation is I have a daughter, 2 step- daughters and daughter- in- law, who thank GOD all appear to have healthy body images….and I also have 4 granddaughters (add 2 more from my step-daughter)…that is 6 young females in our family tree. There is no way I want them to obsess with their body image….I want them to believe they are beautiful and talented HOW THEY ARE…and that they are capable of doing and becoming anything they want in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heck, wouldn’t you agree that there are far more important things in the world to worry about than what number is on the scale or the size of your belly, butt or thighs? LOVING YOUR BODY FROM THE INSIDE OUT IS TARYN’S MISSION! (I bought her book, Embrace, off Amazon and am finding it hard to put down!)

Who else can relate? I’d love to know.

This is just the beginning for me….and it’s interesting as the company I work with has an entire division dedicated to weight loss.

For me, MY focus is the health benefits of being at a healthy weight, versus sliding into ‘skinny jeans’ or wearing a bikini. But along with this I also love it when people are empowered and have confidence as when they do, they become unstoppable…. It may not happen overnight- but beginning to love our body from the inside out is a movement that is happening around the world.

I believe the key is to love your body no matter what size you are and to strive to embrace health as a habit, not an event.

Let’s just say, people who are confident in their own ‘skin’ also have a different “PEP IN THEIR STEP” which in turn attracts a higher vibration to them. Ultimately isn’t that what we want? To live, create more in our lives of things we want and deserve.

Comments are welcome.

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

info@DaveandJoy.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

Below you can learn about the Body Image Movement from Taryn herself.

 

 

 

 

Is Tavala TRIM good for Athletes?

Is Tavala TRIM good for Athletes?

As an athlete and former competitive body builder back in the late 1980’s I bring my personal opinion to this topic….Is Tavala Trim good for Athletes? I also asked current athletes this question. As for me, I would have LOVED to have the product TRIM available when I was extremely active and working out daily, shedding body fat in order to compete in the Vermont State Body Building Competition years ago. I also know all my active and athletic friends would have as well! Every Athlete I know wants to have a competitive edge and they often spend hundreds of dollars or more on supplementation and nutrition to reach their goals.

Tavala Trim is a Brand New Breakthrough in Weight Management and Launched November, 2016!

I’m not going to TOUCH the topic of nutrition for athletes as it is so varied between a high fat diet (LA Lakers call it their BUTTER AND BACON DIET) or a higher carbohydrate, lower fat approach but one thing I do know is taking a product for ENERGY, improved recovery, and weight loss without sacrificing muscle IS important and what active people, competitive or not, want.

What is TAVALA TRIM?

TAVALA TRIM is a new breakthrough in weight loss supplementation that boosts the metabolism, suppresses cravings and appetite, gives ENERGY and FOCUS and helps lose weight. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want those benefits, athlete or not….unless they do not need to drop weight!

To the right is a picture of me at 8.5% body fat back in 1987- a goal I decided to pursue once turning 30 years old. With 2 young children at home, I dedicated myself to this goal seriously for 12 weeks.

Today, I have friends who are both recreational athletes and competitive athletes (runners, body builders, tennis players, Zumba instructors, etc.) that I have introduced the TRIM to and they are RAVING about their results….. It is FUN when they call ME to share their results. We want to hear YOUR results too!

TRIM Testimonial From our Friend Patrick

“I have never taken anything like this in my life. I had gone a week without my Moringa capsules when it arrived. I play tennis a lot and have been feeling lethargic and tired after an evening’s play. My muscles would ache until the following morning. My play was also very poor because I was not able to move and hit the ball how I wanted to. Then came the product and boy was there a change! My energy level went waaaay up! My game got so much better and the aches and pains were gone, even after playing for 2.5 hours – straight.

There is absolutely a difference and a huge one too! I am definitely on-board and will make my order soon.” P.G.

Below is MY personal testimonial on TRIM…. but don’t take my word for it, buy YOUR 28-day supply of TRIM today! The cost of a 28-Day supply is only $64.99. Call us at 802-846-7530 or shop at www.DaveandJoy.com

ENERGY FOCUS SUPPRESSANT YOUR APPETITE & CRAVINGS AND LOSE THOSE UNWANTED POUNDS!

Dave and Joy

802-846-7530

info@DaveandJoy.com

www.DaveandJoy.com