The Pursuit of Thinness

The Pursuit of Thinness

Filed Under: Body Acceptance

7 August 2015 | Written by Xenia Ayiotis

I meet so many dynamic and inspiring women in my practice and at my workshops. We talk a lot about our relationship with our bodies, food and eating and a dominant theme that always emerges is the desire to be skinny. The women I see are successful, resourceful, independent, super smart and extraordinarily courageous. And still, the pursuit of skinny seems to overshadow all their other amazing qualities. It’s the one missing ingredient…

Imagine if we as women didn’t define our success or failure by the number on the scale or on the size of our jeans. Imagine if we simply set aside the desire to be thin. Ended the struggle with our weight and body. Imagine waking up and not bashing our bodies as part of our morning ritual before having our coffee. Imagine going to the beach or the mall and not comparing our bodies to those of other women.

Just imagine that feeling of freedom…
The space it would clear up in our heads…
The fullness that would flower in our hearts as we accept parts of our bodies. Imagine the time we would have to pursue things that felt meaningful or the time we could dedicate to fun! Unhindered and staying out of our own way…

My wish is that we graciously give ourselves the gift of peace around our bodies – embracing them as they are; cellulite, tummies and all! Accepting and perhaps loving them as the majestic holders of our life-force. More than anything, may we share this freedom with each other, and most importantly, pass it down to our daughters and girls becoming women.

emotional nutrition

i will tell you my daughter
of your worth
not your beauty
every day. (your beauty is a given. every being is born beautiful).
knowing your worth
can save your life.
raising you on beauty alone
you will be starved.
you will be raw.
you will be weak.
an easy stomach.
always in need of someone telling you how beautiful you are.

– nayyirah waheed –

I know you don’t need to hear this, but this Women’s Month, know that you are worthy, more than enough and exquisitely beautiful as you are.

Have a beautiful day!
Xen

“From our first meeting - two faces on Zoom across the world from each other, there was a sense of familiarity and comfort that was a healing balm for a lifetime of food struggles and dieting. Without realizing how much damage I had done to myself by adhering, for decades, to restrictive food plans and rigid diet programs, Xen had a way of redirecting the harsh and negative self-talk and sending me forth each week with compassion, mindfulness and a new way of seeing myself in the here and now. Gone are the maybe somedays, and if-only, and when-I’m-smaller thinking. Now I am committed to the imperfect and rocky path to listening to my body, accepting my perfect imperfections, and rejecting diet mentality. Those negative voices will revisit me from time to time, I know, but Xen has offered valuable tools for meeting each day as a fresh start - another choice, another chance. Her devotion to this work and her belief in her clients is a remarkable gift; I am so fortunate to have found her. It is never too late to let go of the drama and embrace joy, ease and self-acceptance.”

Karen L, Denver, USA

Certified by The Life Coach School Certified and Trained by The Original Intuitive Eating Pro Professional Member of The Center for Mindful Eating