Last night I couldn't fall asleep so I decided to watch a documentary I've been eyeing on iTunes on the beauty industry, called "Chasing Beauty."
I loved Jiro Dreams of Sushi so I had high hopes for this documentary. Artistically speaking, I didn't think it was as well done as Jiro Dreams of Sushi- in terms of cinematography, music, pacing, etc., but it was still very thought-provoking and certainly a topic of larger relevance. It follows an aspiring model landing in LA, unsuccessfully interviewing at all the big modeling agencies, as well as pageant specialists, a plastic surgeon, a beauty editor, former and current models, makeup artists, historians, parents of models and model recruiters. Since I had watched Girl Model, I thought this documentary would mostly detail the insanity of the modeling industry but this documentary was primarily about what beauty has meant in the past and in the present, the obsession over beauty, the advantages of beauty, and what it means to different people. For what it's worth, I believe it's a worthwhile watch. It reminded me of how absolute the saying 'beauty comes from within' truly is. I have no aspirations in the beauty sector but the message was still very applicable and poignant. The outside 'pretty' isn't true beauty, and the term beauty isn't to be conflated with good, nice, successful, etc. The term 'pretty' doesn't even stay constant nor does it mean the same to different people in the same room. Your own definition of beauty is for you to choose, for you to protect, for you to keep discovering and for you to nurture.
***Not only has this tag been very popular around the blogosphere but I truly believe it is a great idea to practice this sort of meditation. Many of us (well at least, I) am frequently not as appreciative of my body and health as I should be, often abusing and bullying it, when I really should be treating it as the precious gift it truly is.***
Dear Body,
Thank you for being the beautiful and strong vessel that you've been. You've allowed me to run marathons, bike thousands of miles, make love, explore the world, cuddle, cook, make music, taste exotic and ordinary foods, heal, rest and help others. I haven't always appreciated you the way I should. I have often yelled at you in the mirror for not being model thin, not fitting into insanely small clothes, and I have often not fueled you with the proper nutrition and hydration. Still, you have resiliently kept my alive. I realize not only that you cannot forever be so resilient, but also is high time I nurture you better. Thank you for your continued strength and perseverance.
Let me take better care of you from now on.
Lovingly,
Monica
It's a beautiful weekend in Boston, and I've got a million things to get off my checklist but I'm going to try and enjoy a few non-'work' things too, like:
Fresh cut flowers
Extra sleep
Blogging
Quiet time on my patio.. it's finally warm enough!
A few months ago, (before all the family-drama that ensued), I went on a vacation to Israel for two weeks and Paris for 4 days. It was my first trip to the Israel and it a nutshell, I loved the country. So much of its history excited me and I hope to return some day; and Paris, was well, of course brimming with beauty in its museums, architecture, food, and people. Now, this post isn't going to be on what I did specifically during the vacation itself, but what I realized after I got back.
In the span of 18 days I lost 8 lbs.
Sounds like a line from one of those Marie Osmond Nutrisystem commercials right?
Towards the end of the trip, I had noticed that some of my vacation clothes were a little looser on me but I thought they might just be stretched out from over use. But nope, it was real and not-just-water-weight, actual weight loss. When I stepped on the scale at home, I was shocked!
Now, let me just say- Weight loss was most certainly not my goal when I set off to explore the historical places of Israel and prance around the most delicious Rues of Paris, but it happened, and I hadn't suffered for it at all! I was obviously quite active during my travels (lots of walking!), but I never sought out a gym to squeeze in some strength training or burn some calories on a treadmill. Food-wise, I never avoided much of anything, except excessively greasy foods (which I thought might wreak havoc on my GI during my travels). I tried almost everything I could, ate fresh meals, enough to reach fullness but no more so that I could travel around with ease. Snacks included some fresh fruit or bread rolls I stowed away from meal times in ziplock baggies, and I never sought out 'diet' foods or sodas. I enjoyed my meals with other people, and never found myself scarfing down extra snacks or junk in private. I just enjoyed what I wanted from the foods that were offered, when they were offered, and that was that.
Sounds simple, right? The truth is, it was! And yet, I lost 8 pounds! Taking my mind off dieting/food/weight loss, were key to actually getting healthy for me. Despite the toll of traveling, I had more energy and regular moods at the end of the trip than at the start. Now, I'm not saying re-implementing those lessons will be as easy as it was when I was on vacation where options were inherently limited and I was most certainly moving around all the time, but I remember how good I felt, how well I slept, (and how well my clothes fit!) with non-chemical laden foods properly fueling my system. I want to get back there! Now, it's not easy to adjust your taste buds to less artificial flavors and I know I will be cranky at times, but it is so worth it. The energy. The good moods. The non-bloating. Mental clarity!
This is not a diet. It's self-care. It's the pursuit of feeling better, and not so sluggish. So, today is day 1 back to my better self. None of the really yummy stuff like chocolate, ice cream or doughy bread is off limits. It is the chemical-laden margarines, microwave popcorn, fat free hot dogs, fat free deli slices, and aspartame laced snacks that I want to take off the table, and remove from my body. My body deserves better. I deserve better.
