What you weigh is none of your business.

Posted by Sharon Rich on July 31, 2007 1:14 PM PDT

Recommend this? YES NO

This probably goes against everything you've been told. Yet, your body was hardwired in utero for a particular optimal healthy weight range. You can't control this—and that's good news. Now you can stop fighting your body—and reality—and instead focus on what is your business: creating the conditions that support your brilliant body in finding its own optimal healthy weight.

Shift your focus from results (the number you think you want to weigh) to creating the conditions that support your body in being its best. (You know what they are.) Ironically, when the conditions for success are in place, results can't help but follow.

When our focus is on attaining a certain weight, every day we aren't at that weight, we're in failure/lack. Focusing on process allows us to be in success/abundance every day. It is based on reality. It feels good. It is highly sustainable—forever. It removes the expectations and judgments that make us feel bad about ourselves (which cause us to self-soothe with foods that sabotage). And the side effects on quality of life are so profound that being in great shape ends up feeling like a bonus.

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3 Comments

Hey Sharon!
I love this concept. As someone who has both struggled with her weight and learned a lot in the process, I now know that my healthy Weight Range is between 125-133. When I start to get over 133 I feel gross, when I am under 125 I feel sick. After much trial and error, I found my weight to hold stable when I could eat like a regular human being (for me that is about 5 small meals/snacks a day) and exercise regularly (about 3x/week) and my weight stabilized. I also used the 100lbs- for 5ft and then 5lbs for each additional inch as a guide. Although, that may be a bit outdated now. This is what works for me, but may not work for everyone, I think one of the keys as you said, is to really get to know your own body and listen to what IT is telling you instead of your HEAD!

Do you have any suggestions on how people can find what their Healthy Weight Range may be?

beth |community coordinator | life coach |seeker of knowledge|

Posted by beth on August 2, 2007 11:07 AM PDT

I'm determined to fit into the same clothes that I wore years ago when I was a super-hot and carefree college chic. I hate scales. First of all, they could be off. Most times, they're off. Even when they're not-- they're off!!! As long as I'm not bustin' at the seams, I'm good to go. If I have to buy new clothes because my size 2s and 4s are no longer working out, then that's when I go work out at the gym like a maniac.

Posted by Amanda on August 2, 2007 11:32 AM PDT

Hi Beth,

I love that you've found a healthy weight range for yourself by paying attention to your body. (Although, I do notice I want to hear more about the "gross" feeling you report and am curious whether it's based in body or head.)

I believe the best way for anyone to find their body's optimal weight is not by being focused on the number — and instead by focusing on your experience in your body.

Our bodies are brilliant. (Ask anyone who's given birth!) They know how to breathe air to every place that needs it, to pump exactly the right amount of blood where it's required, to fight disease in very specific ways, to heal wounds, etc. etc. Yet, somehow we think we know more than they do about what we should weigh.

To support your body in finding its optimal weight, (this sounds so obvious, and yet how many of us actually do this?)
Listen to your body's cues and follow them.
Eat when you're hungry and stop a little before you're full, knowing that you will feel more full as time passes.
Savor every bite.
Choose foods that feel good for your body (not just your mouth) as you're eating...AND later. (A food/feeling journal really helps with this.)
Move your body regularly. (I prefer joyful movement to exercise)
(I know it's easier said than done. Take it one day at a time. It's okay to be imperfect—just be in truth about it.)

If you create the conditions that support your body in finding its optimal weight, your body can't help but find it. If you have to go to extreme measures to reach or maintain a weight, I would suggest to you that that weight is not what is optimal for you.

keep bringing soul into it,
sharon

Sharon Rich (www.soulincorporated.net) engages people in a completely new conversation about —and relationship with—Self and Body , which results in profound shifts in all aspects of life.