Let’s talk about women, and bodies, and weight, and wait…ing. Waiting for happiness. Waiting to feel alive.
One of the most pervasive beliefs I’ve heard—from hundreds of women—is, “Once I lose weight, then I will be so much happier.”
It seems logical, right?
Lose weight. Feel better. Be happier. No brainer!
Except it really doesn’t work that way.
For example, I know a woman with a supermodel physique who obsesses over every meal. Yes, she’s thin, but she’s also stressed out and miserable. Every day is full of anxiety and tension. Is she happy? Uh, not really.
And… I know a woman who lost 30 pounds but she’s constantly worrying that she’ll gain it back. She lives in a continual state of panic because she doesn’t “trust herself” to be around a plate of brownies without gobbling down every last one. She achieved her goal—losing a bunch of weight—and yet, where’s the happiness that was supposed to come along with it? She’s got a brand new body and yet, happiness still hasn’t arrived.
I’ve met hundreds of women with hundreds of stories just like these.
The point is, being a smaller size does not guarantee that you’re going to be happy.
It just means you’re going to be… you. Wrapped in a slightly different package. And happiness has nothing to do with the packaging. We’ve been brainwashed to believe that it does, but it’s a lie.
I often say to women, “Tell me about everything you’re going to do… once you lose weight.”
And then women tell me about bikini shopping, sunbathing, and island vacations. They tell me about filling their closet with beautiful clothes, being on camera, finally launching that website, or renewing their wedding vows. They tell me about parties, trips, and memories they long to make. They tell me about a bold, colorful, beautiful life.
And then I tell them, “Go live that life right now.”
Everything you’re postponing until later, once you’re thinner, do it now.
THIS is the secret to happiness.
Stop postponing. Live now. Stop waiting. Live now. Stop hiding. Live now. Fill your life with pleasure, beauty, and experiences that make you happy. Do it now.
Wear the hot pink bra now. Pop the champagne now. Redecorate your living room now. Book the trip now. Roll out your yoga mat now. Lace up your hiking boots now. Curl up with the ones you love and hold them tightly. Do it now. Be alive right now—with the constant knowledge that tomorrow is never guaranteed. THAT’s how to be happy.
Look, if you’ve got some excess weight that you’d like to lose, cool. That’s doable. With gentleness and patience, that extra weight will eventually melt away. I’ve done it. You can do it, too.
But happiness isn’t the pot of gold at the end of that journey. Happiness is a choice you make right now. It’s a choice, not a size. The choice to be alive… while you’re alive. I made that choice about 11 years ago, and it’s a choice that has changed every single aspect of my life.
This week, I challenge you to make that choice too.
Pick one thing you’ve been postponing until someday later… and do it now. If you’ve been craving a tropical beach vacation, then book it right now. Or if that’s not feasible, then dance around in your kitchen to Caribbean music and pretend you’re on the beach. Give yourself some version of what you crave. Choose to fill your life with experiences that make you happy… now.
I don’t want to depress you, but God, let us remember Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Maria. The Las Vegas mass shooting. The riots in Spain. The London tube bombings. Life is such a precious gift. We think we have all the time in the world, but the truth is? We do not. Shit happens. Things change. Loved ones can be snatched away. Life can end in a split-second.
If you are fortunate enough to be alive right now, to have a body of ANY size, to have the ability read this blog and go off and live your day… CELEBRATE that fact.
You are ALIVE. Be ALIVE. Celebrate and choose happiness. Now as in NOW as in TODAY, people. TO DAY.
It’s GO time.
PS. If you want to choose happiness right now, and live your life, and enjoy your body, and be surrounded by women who want all of that, too, then head to my website.
When you join this community, you get daily inspiration on food, fitness, achieving your goals, building confidence, and so much more. You get podcasts, videos, special classes with guest teachers, and there’s new stuff coming to you every day. That’s why it’s called BARE DAILY, not BARE OCCASIONALLY. LOL
The women in this community are amazing and you will love being part of this tribe. Again, the place to go is https://universityforlifecoachtraining.com/baredaily/ . Check it out… and I will see you in there!
P.P.S. On November 1st, I’m hosting a free class called POWER UP that’s all about food, fitness, and self-
care for women who’ve got big things to do. I’ll be sharing simple meal-time, fitness, and self-care ideas that you can incorporate into your daily routine immediately. You can reserve your spot right here.
