Hey All,
I’ve started running outside again now that Chicago went from 30 degrees to 90 within what feels like 2 weeks. I was out the other day, about to hit my 1/2 way mark when I passed a man running with his shirt off.
I thought about ditching my tank top and run in a sports bra, like I see so many other lovely ladies in all shapes and sizes do, and danced around what it is that holds me back.
Here’s the truth.
Since I was about 15, I’ve felt fat. Specifically, in the “love handle” department. I have NEVER worn a crop top and don’t love when I have to be in a bikini with others. AND, I know intellectually, I am not overweight. In my head, both are true. I am not thin/toned enough to show my belly AND I’m not fat.
I can remember MULTIPLE occasions as a little girl when both of my parents would talk about their midsection (spare tires/love handles/belly) and say, “You’re going to have this too, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
I had a partner say things like, “Don’t worry babe, you’ll lose the weight,” as a response to telling him how liberating it was to NOT think about my body image for a 2 week period. And, “You already had dessert,” in response to me asking him if he wanted another piece of chocolate. (we’ll get into the gaslighting party in another episode!)
I’ve also had a different partner tell me how beautiful he thought my body was, but that one didn’t resonate as loud as the negative comments!
Here’s what I know...whatever I believe to be true is what will be amplified when someone else says it. If I don’t believe it, it will never land.
No matter how many times a man tells me my body is beautiful, if I don’t feel that way in my skin, I’ll always be thinking, “he might say that now, but he just hasn’t seen X yet.” IT MUST COME FROM WITHIN!
I’m 5’5” - if someone is poking fun at me for being so tall, it’s going to roll off my back. I have dark brown hair, if someone called me a “dumb blonde,” it wouldn’t land. The same has to be true when a jerk says I don’t need another dessert or tells me I’ll lose the extra lbs I put on. I have to KNOW with every fiber of my soul that I am beautiful inside and out whether I have a flat belly or the most luscious muffin-top ever.
My parents didn’t mean to create body-image issues when they commented about their bodies and I was too young to understand it was NOT a fact! But it landed like a ton of bricks. I do energy edits regularly to help delete the thinking that in order to be desired, I can’t have any curves. I’ve come a VERY long way and...It. Is. WORK!
Ladies and Gentlemen, wouldn’t it feel amazing to strut our stuff knowing we are the very best versions of ourselves regardless of what jiggles and what doesn’t?!?!?! (literally AND figuratively!)
It’s up to me to dig in and decide what programming I’m keeping and what I want to delete. It’s also up to me to change what I believe to be true. Not just wish it to be true through mantras on my mirror...TRULY believe. When I do the work and change my beliefs, it won’t matter if some ass makes a comment about my perfectly imperfect bod, it won’t land!!!
What programming do you want to delete? Listen to what you’re telling yourself and ask, “IS THIS TRUE? Do I want to keep it? Where did it come from?” PULL THAT SHIT OUT!!!!!! Is there anything you’re telling yourself you’re not enough of??? Start there! Look at what triggers you. What makes you feel insecure? The first step is in recognizing it. THEN EMAIL ME!!!!! (lizzi@lizzicutler.com)
Are you REALLY not smart enough for the career you desire? Are you REALLY not good enough to manifest a higher salary/better relationship/higher self-esteem? If you need help (I needed help when I started this!) Please reach out! This work can be challenging AND it’s HUGELY impactful.
Most of us have old programming swirling around keeping us small. Are you ready to upgrade your software?!?!?!? Please share your stories with me!
Email me back! What you ready to let go of? Where did it come from? What can you use a little help with??? I've got you!!!
Can’t wait to hear from you.
Sending Love,
Lizzi
PS. If you have anything you'd like to hear me write about, let me know! What triggers are coming up for you? As the world opens back up, what's been coming up in your mind? What are you stressing about as you try to fall asleep?
PPS. Listen to me chat about what I do, why I do it and how it all came to be on these podcast episodes that recently came out:
