Consequences of Bare Feet

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I've come to realise that when you have bare feet, you occasionally get hurt. Stepping on pins, nails and whatever else you've left on the floor. Case in point: Apparently some of my family members read my blog. This doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that apparently they only read certain posts (and probably not the complete post) and instead of talking to me about any concerns they have, they talk with one another.

This morning I woke up to a text from one of my aunts that read:

What are you doing to yourself? I've been told by many family members that you are very overweight. You need to control yourself.

Umm. Wow.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel inspired.

After further discussion with my aunt, apparently since she doesn't have Facebook she's been updated by several family members as to the status of the rest of us. Apparently my status is: Obese and probably going to kill herself.

I think what bothers me the most is that instead of offering support, suggestions or a concerned greeting, my family (who include several marathon runners, medical school graduates, and health fanatics) talked about their concerns for my well being with one another - but not me.

I have to ask: How does that help me?

I understand that I never asked for your help. Mostly because you all live 800 miles away. But please understand, I do have concerns for my health. I do own a mirror. I'm very well aware of what I look like.

I will still be bare foot on my blog. This will not deter me from my goals. My weight is not my only health concern. There's my emotional and mental health to also look out for, which I've been doing a lot (and I am beyond grateful for the support and comments from you, my loving readers, fellow bloggers, stalkers and friends - you lift me up.)

This brings up another interesting point however. I know many of my readers also suffer from OCD and anxiety disorders. I too understand how difficult it can be to discuss these things with your family. People who do not, and possibly will not understand. In recent weeks when discussing my own personal issues, the reactions have been unfortunate:

• "Oh everyone is a little OCD, it's no big deal."
• "Why are you stressing about that? That doesn't make sense."
• "Well stop thinking those thoughts."
• "You just need to pray more."

So my suggestions for those of you who are also dealing with responses like this, are to just keep moving forward. You know more about your body and mind than they do. Just because they say one thing does not make it true. Let them think what they need to think, and you focus on YOU!

I'll be over here.

Focusing on me.

Update: I thought you'd all enjoy a chuckle. I just got done reading this post aloud to my sweet, loving, supportive husband and his response was: "Good for you sweetheart! Now why don't you focus on making me some chicken nuggets." LMAO.