Q&A - Some 'Call Her Skinny' Concerns

I recently had a very concerned comment from someone who I know cares about me and has my best interests at heart. She also happens to be someone who I respect deeply...she's super smart and compassionate...just an all around wonderful person. Since you all can see the comment she left, I thought I'd respond publicly too. She brought up some great points and some valid concerns. I think that these are issues that everyone who is seeking to make changes to their body needs to consider - especially if there are little eyes watching.

I've written this post in a Q&A format for simplicity. I tried to address her concerns, but did not necessarily use the exact words she used (so don't feel the need to jump to my defense if you think the questions seem harsh...the questions are written my me). So here goes...

"Call Her Skinny"?? What's so great about being skinny?
Okay, maybe a poor choice of a title. I hope I've clarified through my posts that I'm not really after "skinny", but after healthy.

You're keeping track of every morsel of food you eat...maybe a little obsessive??
I can see how keeping track of the foods I eat would be alarming to some. Please rest assured that I'm not going to track my food forever. I just like to do it from time to time so I can do a reality check. I was truly shocked to see how nutritionally weak my diet had become, especially since I'm providing the bulk of my baby's nutrition!

What sort of example are you setting for your kids with all this documenting food and exercise??
Talk about teaching my kids a bad lesson. Hungry? Eat junk. Bored? Eat junk. Sad? Eat junk. Tired? Eat junk. Our mantra around here is "Healthy and Strong"...they won't grow healthy or strong if they eat like I've been eating lately, nor if they have as little physical activity in their lives as I've had lately.

Believe me...I'm still eating plenty of chocolate, and thoroughly enjoy eating cookie dough and ice cream and all sorts of other treats with my kiddos:) I'm just trying to make sure I'm getting some actual nutrients as well. So far, it's translated into more veggies for all of us, fewer processed foods for all of us...but still dessert after almost every single meal :) It's also translated into family walks and bike rides...good stuff for so many reasons.

Are you becoming a slave to the scale? Another terrible example to set!
I sure don't mean to give the impression that I'm a slave to the scale. In fact, I rarely weigh myself, and when I do, it's in the privacy of our bathroom with no audience.

Every now and then we'll weigh the kids to make sure we're dosing medicines right, or to see what size car seat they should be in. And when they step on the scale they *always* hear "44 pounds...just right for a healthy and strong Clara!" or "32 pounds...just right for a healthy and strong Samantha!" or "48 pounds...just right for a healthy and strong Benjamin!" They inevitably want me to go next, so I'll step on and say "155 pounds...just right for a healthy and strong Mommy!" I don't mean to go on and on, but I want you to be assured that a healthy body image is something I'm trying really hard to teach my kids.

(And it wasn't below the belt...it's a fair concern. You love my kids, I sure won't fault you for that! :)

Just embrace your body for the way it is! Why try to erase all the beautiful signs of pregnancy and motherhood?
As for this baby making machine...I mean body...of mine :) I truly am quite happy the way I am. I remember how I felt after delivering my little Benjamin into the world. I was so in awe of this incredible body! I said to Luke, "right now, I wouldn't care if I was 500 pounds....just look what my body did!" I still feel that way to some extent.

So why AM I going through all this trouble? My dad had a quadruple bypass when he was only 41 years old. My grandma has diabetes. Cancer, depression, bad backs...all over the place! I don't want to live like that!

When I'm taking good care of myself, I sleep better, I work better, and I play better. I don't have as many aches and pains. I have more energy and a better outlook on life. I feel like I'm being responsible with this gift that God has given me. In short, I LIVE better.

I trust that when it's my time to go, I'm gonna go. That timing is completely in God's hands, and I'm just fine with that. I trust Him :) But in the mean time, I want to live this life to the fullest. I want to be healthy...Healthy and Strong.