Self-acceptance and exercise for fat people

[nyecamden]

I'm talking from the perspective of an obese person with mental health issues who is also a (trainee) personal trainer. Disclaimers: None of my advice is a substitute for therapy/psychiatric help. Please get the right sort of psych help if you need it. Consult your doctor before starting an exercise programme

Comments

[momentsmusicaux]

People have shouted at me from passing cars and I've not even been able to work out what they said!

[sashajwolf]

One thing that really helped me with self-acceptance was talking to my fat as if it was a person, asking it what it was trying to do for me - an exercise I got from a Geneen Roth workbook, IIRC. It helped me to realise that I became fat as a protective response to an insecure childhood, and that helped me to stop hating my fat and learn self-compassion.

[foolishfiddler]

Thank you. I need to begin accepting this fat disabled body as I also begin to make a change. Powerful post, and much appreciated.

[amaebi]

*applause*

Power to your elbow!

[pennski]

Very encouraging!
When I'm struggling with my asthma and can't work out what exercise to do or if to do it at all, it helps if I give myself permission to do tiny amounts "I'm just going to walk to the bridge and back" rather than "I'm going to walk right round the lake" at lunchtime. And also to give myself permission NOT to exert myself "It's ok to take the lift when my breathing is like this".