I have heard a lot of concerning things on social media recently, most of them about Covid-19. These things are scary.
What is on my mind right now though is an increase in people worrying and being ‘told’ to be aware of their weight at this time.
This is increasing our own ‘Body Judgments’ and in my opinion is dangerous to our wellbeing.
If you are concerned about this, I am asking you to try not to add feeling self-conscious, obsessive, or fearful of how your body will react to living a more sedentary lifestyle to your worries right now.
Although social media has shown itself to be a wonderful supportive and inspiring place to be, I have already seen people on these platforms ‘freaking out’ about how much weight they will put on, whether they can keep their gym body, without going to the gym, or even have a beach ready body by the summer.
“Move your body for your mind… not weight management”
Nikky Reed
A lot of us (especially, although not solely women) worry about our body image. A lot of us feel dissatisfied, whether it’s because of our body shape and proportion, or the way our clothes sometimes don’t quite fit the way we want them to. I get it. All I’m asking is for you to be kind to yourself and to not make this your priority.
These are unprecedented times and we are all experiencing a period of enforced change.
Our lifestyles are being altered in ways that were unimaginable only a week or so ago.
Use this time to put your body shape and weight hang ups to one side. Use it to focus on taking one day at a time, making your aim for each day to ‘get through it’ the best way you can.
Spend time with those you can be with, play with your kids, try and have some fun.
Households can be together… use technology for those loved ones that are further afield.
Nikky Reed
You may not be able to get all the fruit and vegetables you want. You might not be able to make your favourite ‘clean living’ meals or be as healthy in nutrition as you may like to be. You can however do your best with what you have.
Do the best we can, with what we have…
Nikky Reed
A priority is to fuel your body as well as you can to fight this virus. Many of us will contract it. It may have to be altered foods, yet we can try to make them as nutritious as possible, giving our bodies the best chance to fight it.
Take the opportunity to rest both your mind and your body. Allow yourself the time to process all that is happening to it right now. To feel whatever it is you are feeling.
We will need more rest. Our minds are racing, and stress/anxiety levels are high. This will feel more tiring. That is normal. Our systems will need more rest to recuperate than usual because of this.
You will find new patterns, routines, and ways of living that reflect the needs of your current situation. You will, because as humans we are amazingly good at adapting. Don’t believe me? Take a soldier who suffers life changing injuries in battle who then goes on to play in The Invictus Games… an example of adaptation at its very best!
Our lives will change, and things will return to a ‘new’ normal. Together we will find our way again and remember whilst you are trying to be kind to others around you, don’t forget to show yourself the kindness you deserve.
Rest more, enjoy the small things & do what you love.
Nikky Reed
This message is written for you all, however I know there is a large majority of people who have more than just some ‘weight and body hang ups.’
Eating Disorders take hold of a person in ways that are unimaginable to those who have not experienced one. I have had the privilege to work alongside these courageous people to help them re-build their lives without the control of an Eating Disordered Voice; one brick at a time. If this is you, I want to say hang on in there. Hang on, because there is help and support, and you will get through this and manage the best way you can.
There will be many people with mental health conditions and physical limitations that will find the effects of social distancing and changes to routine completely intolerable, causing them to experience extreme distress.
Please remember them when you are ‘fed up’ of being at home. Some people will be feeling trapped and scared beyond anything you can imagine because their routines have changed.
Please remember them when you are feeing ‘fed up’ of being at home…
Nikky Reed
So let’s not get caught up in worrying whether our summer clothes will fit, or how much to reduce our calorie intake by to accommodate a more sedentary lifestyle, let’s live for today. Let’s live in the moment and the best way we know how, right now. Let’s be grateful for what we do have and try and let go of the rest.