April 16, 2011


If you haven't checked him out before, be sure to stop by Jack Sh*t's blog today - on Saturdays, he does a great series called W.I.D.T.H. - "Why I Do This Here." One of today's images is from me!

I'm starting this morning with quiet self-reflection, spinach and blueberry pancakes, a few dozen ounces of water, and a trip to the gym. Later my mother and brother will descend on Chicago, and I can't shake the feeling that this is going to be my last bit of emotional calm for a week or so. I'm excited to see them, but I'm a little stressed with figuring out how to keep a semi-normal routine of eating/exercise and remain available to my students while two members of my family are here.

There are definite good things to look forward to, like walking around the different parks and attractions we've talked about seeing. (I am an anal retentive organizer, and Mom is all about spontaneity. They have no solid itinerary, and I'm doing my best to not panic.) Dan loved the Wii Fit when I brought it to Connecticut at Christmas, so I'll have no problem logging my minimum of 60 minutes for my SFC challenge goal. And just being with folks that I love in a time when I've got a lot of work-related stress weighing on me will be lovely.

At the same time, though, being with my mother isn't always joyful. I love her incredibly, but she has very critical tendencies. I truly don't think her intentions are to hurt me; she simply tends to be a little tactless, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects.

Like when I was a preteen - I'd check myself out in the mirror, marveling at the physical transition to adulthood - and she told me to stop parading around "like some little sexpot" because I still had "a lot of growing up to do." Even now as an adult, I struggle with my habit of confusing self-confidence for vanity - I'm just now realizing that it's okay to think you're beautiful and to love the girl in the mirror.

A few years back, she made an unprovoked comment about my body shape: she referred to me as "an egg with legs." For some reason, this has stuck with me for a long time. Looking at old photos, I can see what she meant: my oddly round upper body.

But I'm a firm believer in the idea that just because something may be true doesn't mean it needs to be expressed, especially when dealing with sensitive issues like body image.

It's thirty-seven weeks after my journey started, and I have curves now. I'm nervous about what she'll have to say this time. Since the beginning of January when I saw her last, I have lost almost another 50 pounds - seeing transition pictures is one thing, but actually being here and feeling hugs is totally different. On the phone or when video chatting, her requests for updates on how many pounds I have lost are almost always followed by reminders that after she divorced my dad, she lost eighty pounds, then gained it all back plus some. It isn't that she doesn't want me to have long-term success, it's just that I'm not sure she really believes in it. I don't think that she thinks I can do this.

One of my favorite jokes to tell my students is:
Why do French people only eat one egg for breakfast?
Because one egg is un œuf.
The punchline, the French word for egg, is pronounced kind of like "enough." When it comes to my mother, I wish that this one finally happy little egg was enough.


Ann said...

Parents have such an important role in our lives, dont they? I can still think of all the hurtful things my dad has (unintentionally) said that still continue to hurt me. I hope things go well this week!!

Amanda said...

I understand the anxiety that parents can bring. My issues aren't as much about the unintentional biting comments, but with constantly offering foods as rewards for how good I'm doing. They don't understand that much of this journey is not seeing food as comfort or reward. My husband and I were thinking you this morning, and the hard event you had to deal with this last week. We both hope you have a great visit!

timothy said...

it'll be fine she's just projecting her insecurities onto you. she wants you to succeed but she probably resents you for doing what she failed to also. it's probably very confusing for both of you. as long as the love is there it'll work itself out.

Ashley said...

My mom is absolutely the same way. there have been so many things that she said to me that have really gotten to me. Even as recent as last summer, when I asked her if a dress looked good on me, she said, "Yeah, but it would look better on me." I cried and felt those same not good enough feelings as I always had growing up with her. I know that she doesn't mean things the way they come out, but it doesn't make things hurt any less.

Sending you good vibes. Enjoy the visit!

Krista said...

Ya know, my dad actually does the same thing. He has gained and lost over 100 lbs so many times that I can't even count and a lot of times when people compliment me about my loss he says things like "don't worry, they'll stop saying that stuff soon." Then he'll remind me how hard it is to keep off etc etc and it's really frustrating. Just because he can't maintain his loss doesn't mean I can't.

Ellie said...

Your W.I.D.T.H. was wonderful, we can all tell how important this is to you even without you saying it, but being able to put it in words makes your message even stronger.

Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.