I have been an athlete all my life. I excelled in track and field, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, and competitive bodybuilding. Although I have been physically fit most of my life I did not always have the health or physique I desired. When I was a young woman, my weight fluctuated anywhere from 10, 20, and at times as high as 40 lbs. Yes, I have been in great physical condition and 40 lbs over weight. During those times I found my mental and spiritual health would yoyo with my weight. When I was at my target weight I felt great and on top of the world. However, when my weight was not where I desired it to be I was depressed, frustrated, and embarrassed.
How many of you know what to do, and for some reason you are unable to do it?
I was no different. Although I knew all the right things to do to release the weight, I was not able to maintain health or the weight I desired. Although I have always been active and in great physical shape, I often found myself eating out of control as if I was subconsciously trying to sabotage my results. I ate when I was happy, I ate when I was sad, and I even ate when I was not hungry. I actually would eat my way back to a weight where I no longer felt attractive. The burning and desperate question was always ‘why?’.
My health reflected my level of self love
I used to think that the secret to a great physique and optimal health was to eat less and exercise more. Now I know that exercise and nutrition is the tip of the iceberg. I now know that health is a mindset. The mindset, or the portion of the iceberg that is below the water, is what provides our access to health. Great health and a strong, lean physique occurs, when there is an energetic alignment between the mind, the body, and the spiritual self. In other words, I began to achieve optimal health when I became aware of how my poor habits, limiting thoughts, and negative beliefs affected my own self-image. I not only began to understand how my past experiences shaped how I viewed myself, but more importantly how these experiences subconsciously impacted what I gave myself permission to achieve. My weight and internal health was actually an indicator of how comfortable I was with me. It reflected what I allowed, or more accurately did not allow, myself to feel. My health reflected my level self love and was equal to my ability to let go of past hurts, disappointments, and fears.
Over the years I have learned my commitment to optimal health is actually a reflection of my commitment to myself. It stems from understanding that self care is an actionable version of self love. To fill my own cup first and only give from my overflow is to understand my responsibility to build and maintain a solid personal foundation. It is to know that is it is only when I am truly secure that I can freely and effortlessly give. I now know real heath is available when I am able to forgive, and let go of shame and blame. Health is the act of accepting my humanity and giving myself grace. Health is my commitment to a life long journey of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. It is to know that if I am not growing in all areas of my life I am dying.
My health is the foundation for all that I do
Today, I firmly believe that it does not matter where your challenges lie; whether you are under weight, over weight, or silently suffering from a range of health challenges, your access to optimal health is self love. It is to love and respect yourself enough to stop, and put your personal care first. Over the years I have learned my health is the foundation for all that I do. I believe that how I relate to my health is directly related to how I relate to my business, my relationships, my finances and recreation. When I am actively caring for self, I am creating the strength, energy, and vitality that fuels and creates abundance in all other areas of my life. I invite you begin to fill your cup up first and learn the power of giving from your overflow.
Suzan Hart is an inspirational speaker, master trainer and author. Knowing that your inner game creates your outer game Suzan’s mindset mastery, teaches hard working, results driven professionals and entrepreneurs, to be un-apologetically recognized for their value, financially rewarded for their brilliance, and celebrated for the fullest expression of themselves. Suzan Hart went from physically exhausted and financially upside down to becoming a Black Woman Millionaire. Suzan Hart is president of HartZone Inc and creator of Fit, Fab and Fulfilled. Learn more and claim your free gift at https://suzanhart.com