Check out my progress on Quick! Gimme a Post-It!
Last week while at the gym, I had a sudden urge for a Post-It—and for once, it was not to write down my to-do list for the umpteenth time. Rather, I wanted a means to inspire self-confidence in a fellow gym-goer.
As many of you are aware, Caitlin and others around the world have been inspiring positive body image as a part of Operation Beautiful. I, too, was prompted to partake in this movement last week because of a sad situation I observed in my apartment building’s fitness center. I was chugging along on the treadmill when in walked a mother, along with her daughter. The young girl (who appeared to be about 10 years old) flounced into the gym, wearing short shorts and a sports bra (which she really did not need). To my surprise, her mother asked, “So which machine do you want to do first?” Her daughter hopped onto the treadmill next to me as her mother punched the buttons; seconds later she was stretching her spindly legs to their maximum, concentrating on the red numbers in front of her. Later, she scampered off to the scale in the corner of the gym, once again concentrating on the number staring back at her.
As I observed this whole scenario play out, I wanted to grab hold of this kiddie gym rat and prevent the seeds of negative body image from being sown. Phrases from Operation Beautiful swam through my head:
“You are beautiful, just as you are!”
“You are more than a number!”
“Love yourself, from the inside out!”
I could see so much of myself in her. I, too, became focused on my weight before I even entered the third grade. I, too, felt pressure from loved ones to change my shape. Even though this young girl was a complete stranger, I felt compelled to keep her from meeting a fate similar to mine, from developing an eating disorder and enduring 20+ years of low self-esteem.
Never one to meddle, I left the mother-daughter pair in the gym that day without uttering a word. However, I left with the intention of posting a note on that scale and a reinforced sense of the lessons I plan on teaching my daughters in the future.
Have you participated in Operation Beautiful yet?
Now, on a lighter note, let’s see how I fed my beautiful self today:
I finally got my hands on some pumpkin this past weekend (thank you, Target), so I busted open a can this morning for breakfast. I am really digging this Maple Pecan Quinoa granola lately—it’s got maple, pecans, cinnamon, and coconut. What more could a girl ask for?
Before heading to class, I whipped up a quick Waldorf Salad for lunch. Note to self: roasted garlic & chive hummus is not a smart choice if you wish to avoid rank breath.
While in class, I nibbled on a chocolate chip brownie Larabar:
It was amazing—and I’m not just saying that because I like the polka-dotted packaging.
Once home, I took the time to make another batch of my beloved Lentil Loaf. As we all know, this is the one recipe of which I can stand leftovers…so be prepared to see a lentil loaf sandwich in the near future.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few Post-Its to write.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Your dinner looks so comforting and fallish. I love it and am so excited for Fall season with apples, pumpkins and squash!
i am saddened and feel sick to my stomach when i see such behavior from TEN year olds!! society has set unattainable goals and standards and pressures girls and boys to be something they weren’t created to be.
so so sad.
that girl is going to be lucky and blessed to have found your note. youre so thoughtful
It’s upsetting to see that the mom actually *encouraged* her little girl to view herself as numbers–the number of miles she ran, the number of calories she burned, and the number of pounds she weighed.
Sounds like both mother and daughter could benefit from some OB notes. =/
Btw I love your pink pen!
That’s really sad about that girl! I took went down that path, but luckily I slapped myself in the face
I feel so lucky to not have parents like that. what we have in our environment is stressful enough to have even more pressure from our loved ones.
so sad to see self image problems at such a young age. i really love how the operation beautiful campaign leaves positive notes that counteract our upside culture.
you are here!!! Fisher is great and so is Landis- they are used to me taking pics! I loved the coursework, hated the college ( financial aid, registration, admin, etc.). I work close to campus everyday, hopefully we will get to “meet” sometime!!
Good for you for posting that note
I hope she (and many others, too) sees it.
WTF!!!! Scenarios like that not only make me sad, it makes me LIVID. What…the hell IS that mom thinking?! She’s basically breeding someone who is gonna have eating/body issues for the rest of her life. This is so highly disturbing. But kudos to you for posting the notes…I really hope it got through to the girl, if not at least the mom.
Long time reader, first time commenter…
I can’t believe you took a picture of your food in class! I know you mentioned a few posts back that you sometimes get nervous to snap pics of your food in professional or public settings for fear of judgement. I feel that way sometimes too! Tonight I ate out in the city and was too nervous to take a pic of my delicious vegan meal : (
Good for you for snapping away. You’re readers need to see the snacks!!
I’m always so astonished when I hear stories like this, where mothers encourage disordered thinking in their own children. Good for you for posting your note!
It shocks and saddend me every time I see a young girl complain about food or her weight, society-its done nothing to help. I am alllways telling my sis how gorgeious she is, shes 15, and i think she may just be starting to think it too, but she stil complains about her weight and skips meals. i cant wait until she grows out of it. I think age can be a healer with this. I love ur meal pics, they always look so yumtastic.
x
I always get really sad when I see scenes like that between mothers and daughters at gyms, or grocery stores, or whatever: scenes where you know the seeds of obsession are being planted, but there’s nothing you can do to intervene. A post it note is a nice idea.
that makes me so incredibly sad! i hate that girls are worrying about weight, working out, looks, etc. at such a young age – they never truly get to enjoy the freedom of being young and not caring, ya know? that’s such a tough sitch, but i think you did the right thing by leaving a post-it
p.s. just caught up on all your posts – how you manage to eat such complete meals full of gorgeous food everyday is beyond me. seriously, i am always amazed at what you come up with! some of your salad combos i need to recreate asap!
ugh that is really SO sad. the girl has no idea what she’s about to get herself into. i wish you could have caution taped the treadmill!
and shame on her mother!
That poor little girl. Her Mother is certainly not doing her any favours.