Love Who You Are

HP_LoveWhoYouAr2e

Love Who You Are.

Coming from a woman who seemingly has it all together (key word: ?seemingly?), I can attest that this is much easier said than done! All too often we find ourselves striving for the love and approval of others, thinking this will make us feel better about who we are. Each attempt most certainly yields the same results?the same emptiness, unhappiness, and lack of fulfillment we felt before. I read a great post on IG not too long ago by I don?t remember who?it said something to the tune of, ?Even a million ?likes? won?t be enough if you don?t like yourself.? In a world where social media drives existence for many, and comparison?usually between your reality and another?s highlight reel?happens far too often, I personally know the truth of this. Enough ?likes? might give instant gratification for that moment, but it fades as quickly as it comes. Instead of posting what WE like and what WE are passionate about, we tend to focus on what we think others will like. What about focusing on loving who YOU, and ME, and WE are?no matter what anyone else says?

I?ll admit, I struggle to find this balance day in and day out. I too find myself getting caught up in chasing accolades, compliments, and the acceptance of others. I will never forget what a good friend of mine told me when I called him crying, unhappy, and slightly depressed, totally unaware of the root. He said (lovingly), ?Heidi?this might hurt to hear, but the truth is that you are trying too hard to find love in places it doesn?t really exist because you?ve simply forgotten the value and importance of loving who YOU are.? His brilliant advice was, ?the best way to find yourself, and love yourself, is through serving others.? Boy, was he right. This conversation, my friends, was the beginning of my ?Love Who You Are? campaign and the beginning of this becoming my own personal tagline and motto. It?s important for all of us?women and men?to know just how valuable we are and just how perfect we are in our imperfect state.

Thank you, Cents of Style, for supporting my mission and for so generously creating these shirts with me? and for me?to help spread a message that is so near and dear to my heart. And if you’d like one of these super cute shirts as a constant reminder of how amazingly lovable YOU are, head on over to Cents of Style right now!

Is there something you do to remind yourself to Love Who You Are? Please share it in a comment below?I wanna’ know! And…you’ll be helping us all to find ways to remember how valuable and loved we are! 🙂

Xoxo,

Heidi

Related reading:

I Am (Still) Perfect
Fighting Through My Struggle with Body Dysmorphia and an Eating Disorder
Emotional Eating: How to Take Control Once and for All
Sweet Lips Speak Kind Words: Spreading Love. Not Gossip.
It Really Is All About the Promise

22 Responses

  1. Hi,
    Watch every series that I can and love it. Infact each time I watch it I wish I was doing what you are doing. I lived a very fitness filled healthy life when I was going and life hit me like a train wreck. I have found myself at 46, over weight and unfit and was embarrassed to start as I knew I was so far away from the woman that was last in the gym. Well 8 weeks ago I bit the bullet and went for it and went to the gym 6 days a week. I really went for it and pushed myself in each class and went for it when working alone in the gym. I felt mentally better and more energised and felt that my self esteem was going up…..then I weighed myself, I had not lost anything in those 8 weeks. I do not feel that my basic diet was bad, it is a varied healthy diet but previously i was adding on. I was adding on glasses of wine, bars of chocolate, crisps, crackers and cheese etc. I cut them out when I started exercising and thought that would be enough to make a difference.
    What am I doing wrong?
    I have hit rock bottom again and not been to the gym for over a week and eating rubbish! I feel really defeated.

    1. Hi Kate: You’re doing awesome! It sounds like you’re right on track with your exercise, and you might find some things you can use nutrition-wise in this post: https://heidipowell.net/2713. This post talks about the nutrition part of Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program, and shows you how, when, and what to eat to help you achieve your goals. You can do this! And go to the gym! 🙂

  2. Hi Team, I am really moved by the program. I am currently watching your show, where the young lady who is a dwarf in size is doing great, I think that this mght be an old one as I am watching this in the UK,

    I am 58 years old, suffer from diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver dje tp obesity, I currently weigh 96 kilos and struggle with my weight due to I have depression ans self lloathing of mhself due to child abuse, can you please give me guidance in whag to do as IfeelI am lon the road to death

    1. Hi Agnes: You can learn about Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program – the same program they use on the show – in this post: https://heidipowell.net/9060. Be sure and follow all the links within the post too. And please discuss this program with your healthcare team first and then follow any modifications they might recommend. Make that first promise to yourself, choose a cycle, and go! You can do this!

  3. I’m sitting here retyping and retyping because I don’t know where to begin. “Love who you are” those are very hard words. I know how to love. I love God, my husband, my kids, my family and friends but the one thing o have a hard time with is loving me. I come from a very obese family that passed down bad eating habits. I remember saying that if I ever got as big as my mom I would rather die. Now please know I wasn’t saying that as a hate comment towards my mom but just the opposite. I love her so much and it hurt seeing her suffer with her health. I have lost many family members due to illnesses caised by being over weight, weightloss surgeries that caused permanent damage, and cancer. I knew that if I ever got that size, it would be me putting my loved ones through what I went through. My mom was very unhappy, she wasn’t active, she never remarried after she and my dad divorced and I believe it’s because she didn’t love herself so she didn’t think anyone else could either. The pain and heartache was to deep and too real. Well I found out at 19 after gaining 100 pounds in one year that I have a thyroid disorder. I have been on a roller coaster ride trying to lose weight and keep it off. I do really good bit then I stop losing. I get discouraged and fall into that “disgusted with myself” mood. My mom had weightloss survey a couple of years ago and she lost a good bit of weight and I am very happy for her. It is hard though to keep that excitement for her when she makes comments about me needing the surgery, I’m bigger than her now, I’m headed in her footsteps, etc. I know she only means to help me but it just hurts more. I’m 40 years old and I am the biggest I’ve ever been! I knew it would be hard to lose the weight as fast after having my hysterectomy 4 years ago but I didn’t know I would ever get to this point. I’m morbidly obese and yes I’m reminded of that every time I go to the doctor. I am crushed, ashamed, embarrassed, angry (at myself), and honestly I don’t know how to love me. I honestly pray that one day, some how, some way God will bring an opportunity for me to help me. I want to be happy, I want to want to take a picture without hiding behind everyone, I want to play with my kids without hurting or being out of breath, I want to let my husband love me again. He is suffering from this too. Because this is tearing me apart, it is also hurting him. I have noticed the light in his eyes are fading. He has gained so much weight and is not happy with himself. We try but honestly we are so flooded with information from everywhere and everything that we have tried that we keep going around in circles and ultimately giving up due to frustration. Is there anything you can recommend for a 40 year old woman and a 51 year old man that has two teenagers. I want us to grow old together and see our kids grow up and have children of their own. Hope is all we are holding on to right now. Thank you

    1. Hi Brandy: Thank you for sharing your story with us. Have you heard of Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program? It’s the same program they use on the show, and it can definitely work! You can learn about it in this post: https://heidipowell.net/9060, and be sure and follow all the links within the post too. The first step to both loving yourself and achieving your transformation goals is to make and keep that first small promise to yourself (link in the post). That promise doesn’t even have to be transformation-related, the important thing is to build your personal integrity, which also builds your self-love. It really is all about making and keeping those small promises and taking those baby steps one after the other – you both can do this!

  4. Hi tram Powell I desperately need some help here. I’m a 5.7, 13 . 1 stone 53 year young women going through the change. Following a break down that took me well over a year to pull through it and stopping my extreme exercise regime ( gym 6 days a week and competitive badminton three days a week) I’ve put on 4 stone and no matter how hard I try I can’t seem to shift it! I lose a pound or two only for it to go back on!! Is this a result of going through the change or am is that what happens when you reach a certain age.
    I’m desperate to lose the weight as its make me quite miserable and I’m struggling to keep motivated to go gym, thoughts of its pointless, this is what middle age brings etc please help me xxx

    1. Hi Christine: I can tell you are so frustrated! Yes, going through the change can make it harder to lose weight, but not impossible. You can learn about Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program in this post: https://heidipowell.net/9060, and I hope it can give you some tools you can add to what you’re already doing. You can do this!

  5. Im writeing to you in desperate need of help for my wife tabitha. Shes not a big person at all but is discouraged with her figure after having 6 major surgeries for c-sections. Can you please help me to help her find her comfort zone of anything that will help her feel good about her self. Ive watched you and your husband help hundreds of people before. So im desperately beging for your help with this. Itll be greatfully appreciated

    1. Hi Angel: Thank you for your comment! Chris and Heidi truly wish they could personally help everyone who needs their help, but since they can’t, they’ve made all their transformation tools – the same tools they use on the show – available for all of us to use to achieve our transformation goals. You can learn about their carb cycling program in this blog post: https://heidipowell.net/9060, and their program can work for both weight loss and if someone simply wants to develop healthy habits. Their program is a total nutrition and exercise program, and it works! I hope your wife will give it a try – we know she can do this!

  6. I just got your book extreme transformation and I can’t wait to start! I also got your DVDs (boot camp and the workout) I was wondering if I would have better results with the DVDs than the metabolic movements? And if so which dvd do you recommend for more weight loss? Or should I do metabolic movements in the morning and a DVD workout in the evening? My husband has decided to jump on this weight loss wagon with me! Thanks for your time!! By the way you guys are the coolest couple ever!! Me and my husband love your show and heidi I love your blog!

    1. Hi Katie: I’d do the Metabolic Missions in the morning and the DVD, or any other form of cardio/Accelerators, at some other time during the day. You both can do this!

  7. Heidi please will you help me get fit and healthy again. Please I beg you. I know I’m in England I just need someone to guide me xx I’ll find the money to pay you for your help.

    Hope to hear from you soon.

    Xxxxx

    1. Hi Christine: Heidi truly wishes she could personally help everyone, but she’s just not able to take on clients right now. But you can begin your transformation journey today with the tools Heidi has provided for all of us to use to achieve our transformation goals: https://heidipowell.net/9060. And be sure and follow all the links within the post too. Make and keep that first small promise to yourself, choose a carb cycle, and go! You can do this!

  8. Hi, my husband and I watch the show every chance we get. We think it’s truly a gift from God what y’all are doing. I truly hope I don’t affend anyone by my question. I mean NO DISRESPECT to anyone. I cant imagine what its like for some struggling being overweight. I say this cuz I have a lot a people mad at me when I even mention anything. But I also need help n the reverse situation. I am 34 with 5 sons and I’m underweight. I can’t gain to a healthy weight and I’m so frustrated! I hate the way I look and feel. I’m always so exhausted. Is there anything advice u can give me to help me get healthy? If there is any advice u can give me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and keep up Gods work for everyone. Hope everyone has a very Blessed Day!!

  9. Thanks for that rapid reply. I need to get fit again and lose this four stone I’ve put on. Since my breakdown I have struggled to find the ‘buzz’ from exercise.
    Before the breakdown I went the gym six days a week, played county badminton and even came 9th in the All England badminton competition. And now I have very little motivation to do anything.
    Even when I was at my fittest I always struggled getting the nutrition part right so if you have any suggestions I would be very, very grateful xxx

  10. How do you love yourself? I’m 53 married (33 years) two children, 28, 31 both successful and I have a professional job but struggle daily with the need to feel loved?
    I’ve always been very fit until three years ago when I had a breakdown followed by the sudden death of my dad and today I buried my friend. I’ve put on four stone and hate myself but can’t seem to find the motivation to do anything about it!
    Sometimes I feel it would be better being dead because the pain I feel inside is so intense!

    1. Hi Christine: I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad and your friend, and I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for you. Learning to love yourself can be hard–we are so tough on ourselves! You might try what one of Heidi’s friends suggested she do when she was struggling with this: ?the best way to find yourself, and love yourself, is through serving others.? Is there someone who needs your help? An organization in your community where you can volunteer? This might be a great first step for you, so I hope you’ll give it a try. You can do this!

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