Tell me how to lose weight? Have you ever thought of your extra weight as a protection? Do an internet search on “Is weight gain an emotional protection?” and you will understand what I mean. I once heard a psychologist say that sometimes people will unconsciously put on weight so they feel less attractive to the opposite sex which would keep them from dating, marrying, and having any relations with the opposite sex intimately. This happens even in marriages in which a spouse would unconsciously put on weight to be unattractive to a spouse and then not have to engage intimately with them. There are emotional protective fields that we erect and those sometimes emerge into physical barriers as in this case of weight gain.
How could I say this after saying last week that you would never think of your neighbor or friend as ugly just because they are overweight? Think of this. When someone wants to attract the opposite sex or get back in the dating field, what’s the first thing they do? That’s right, they hit the gym to tone up and start dieting lose weight. So if thinning up makes you feel more attractive, then gaining a few extra pounds would make you feel less attractive; thus, you are protected, in your mind, from attracting attention based on your appearance.
Here’s the catch. If you have a really nice personality, it really doesn’t matter how you look because you are going to be attractive regardless. If you have a really bad attitude, likewise, it really doesn’t matter what you look like because you will repel people from wanting to interact with you because of your attitude. When you consider this idea, then the weight is no longer a protection for you, but rather how you treat others is far more important.
The bottom line is this. You do not have to protect yourself. You do not have to put up any defenses. You need only rely on your faith in God to keep you safe. He has already won every battle we face. Do not let the evil one overtake your thoughts and actions. Trust in the greatness of God. Let Him protect you.
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Task
Stretch: If there is any muscle in our body that will tighten up to protect us, it would be the psoas. This power house muscle will hold us up and pull us down. It originates along the lumbar spine, cuts through the stomach, and inserts on the inner hip bone, the femur. To release the psoas takes time. You may feel pulsating, nausea, pain (don’t let it get too intense that you tighten up), and find it very emotional. The first time I released someone else’s psoas I broke into a cold sweat and felt like I was going to throw up or pass out. I was holding onto a lot! I’m not saying this will happen to you, but just know that this is an emotional powerhouse.
To release the psoas, grab your releaser ball and place it in the lower quadrant of your abdominal region. Lay on your stomach with the ball in this area or lean over your bed. You may also lay on your back at a diagonal and hang one leg off. Keep the knee bent on the inside leg. Both of these stretches should be held until you feel a shift physically or emotionally.
Exercise: Last week we covered the pelvic floor. This week, activate that pelvic floor again. We are going to add the core muscles by zipping up and slightly rocking back the pelvis. Laying on your back with knees bent, place your shoes, a towel roll, or wedges under your bottom to rock your pelvis back, feeling your back flatten on the ground or bed. Now, rock your pelvis back further by engaging the core muscles. You will see your belly flatten a bit more as you do this. Remember that it isn’t a big movement. Feel the pelvic floor and core muscles engage, not the legs pushing you back or your stomach sucking in. Feel the pelvis move. Try this 8 times and then hold it for 30 seconds.
* Remember that I have an entire 11 week series on Activating the pelvic floor and core if you need extra guidance or really want to follow a strict routine of 5 exercises each week to strengthen this area. Click here
Habitual Change: No wearing tight clothing because you do not want to go up a size. Wearing tight clothing strangles your organs. It isn’t healthy and you are going to do everything healthy from this moment forward.
Perspective enlightenment: I give up the need to protect myself. I am safe in being healthy. God is my protective shield. He has already won every battle I face. I put my trust in Him.
Journaling option: Have you ever considered what makes you gain weight and want to lose weight? Think of the circumstances in which you gained and lost weight. Yes, I know that organ functions have a huge role in our weight, but even organs react to what is going on externally affecting us internally.
This week’s blog post coincides with week 2: Psoas, Piriformis, and Sacral releases/ I am Safe. You can purchase this week in the store on the webpage. You can also purchase the Inner Peace Meditation CD or start your full online Voyage to HEAL. Click here to visit the store. Most importantly, start being kind to yourself always. As God gives you grace, so should you give it to yourself. Stop fighting yourself. Instead, love yourself.
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL
Love,
Jocelyn