Do you appreciate yourself? Many of us women can relate to at times not appreciating ourselves and what we have to offer. Suzanne shares her story about how hardworking, successful, honest and ethical she was didn’t’ matter to her because she couldn’t appreciate herself due to being overweight. See how she conquers the mental game and learns to appreciate herself.
By Suzanne Pantazis
Yes, there was a time when I did not appreciate myself, for the simple reason that I was overweight. It didn’t matter that I was hardworking, successful, honest, ethical, highly respected in my community, and a loving devoted mother. All that mattered was that I was fat. I felt inadequate because of my obesity. I felt that there was something wrong with me because I could not achieve what most people seemed to do effortlessly, which was to be a normal healthy weight. I used food to stuff down my emotions, rather than learning to stand up for myself and to love and appreciate myself.
I remember asking myself one day…” How come, I can make sure that my family gets plenty of rest, exercise, eats breakfast, packs a lunch etc., but I don’t do that for myself?” I usually was running around by the seat of my pants, making sure that everyone else was looked after except for me. I realized that I needed to appreciate myself and take the time to look after myself or I would be so unhealthy that I would not be able to look after anyone and I would eventually become a burden on others.
I Had To Learn To Appreciate Myself For Who I Was
I went through a complete body, mind and spirit makeover. During this process, I eventually lost 100 pounds. I had to learn to love myself for who I was and not for what I looked like. I had to rebuild my self-esteem. I had to learn to say “No” and quit allowing others to treat me like a doormat because I somehow felt inferior because I was overweight. I had suffered in a bad marriage for many years because I felt like no one else would want me because I was fat.
I remember the day very specifically when I finally stood up for myself and started appreciating myself. My husband at the time, had a dog, but it was always understood that this was his dog. I wanted to get a dog of my own, so I finally went out a got a little bijon shitzu. I was so happy when I returned home with my little puppy , but when I came home, my husband through a tantrum and told me that it was either going to be Him or the dog. I calmly told him, that I choose the dog. That was a turning point in my life. I realized that I didn’t deserve to be treated so poorly just because I had a few extra pounds.
Appreciate Your Beauty
I started to appreciate how beautiful of a person I was and I have never looked back since. I have left that unhappy marriage, I have learned how to say “No”, I have found a wonderful man who treats me the way I deserve to be treated and I am living each day to the fullest.
Now, I have decided to coach others who are struggling with the weight of self-confidence issues and I have written a book on health and happiness, which I hope will help others who need to appreciate how wonderful they truly are.
Are you ready to appreciate yourself?
