I don’t normally write much personal stuff or post many photos of myself, so this post is a bit of a challenge for me.
The fact I am even writing this post and showing you these photos is an indication of how much I have grown in the last few months.
It’s hard to even know where to begin telling you this story of mine, but I guess I will start at the beginning.
It all started when I was about 10 and suddenly I was self-conscious of puppy fat.
I have been self-conscious of the puppy fat for the last thirty years.
I have cried. I have wailed. I have dieted. I have exercised. I have punished myself.
I have hated myself. I have felt shame, desperation, anger and self-loathing.
This year, I had nearly given up hope. Hope of ever being at peace with my body.
But the Universe had other plans for me. My soul is here to learn a life lesson about love. Self love.
My weight has been up and down my whole life.
I am 155cm tall. I have been 48kg. I have been 90kg. And all the weights in between.
Was I happy at 48kg? No. I was miserable. I was told by someone at the gym that I could still lose a few kilos. I still wasn’t the ‘perfect weight’. I felt like I would never be ‘good enough’.
Was I happy at 90kg? No. I was miserable. I was uncomfortable, unfit and ashamed.
I was an active member of Weight Watchers from the time I was 17 until the time I was 35.
I even worked for them for six years and maintained a healthy weight in this time. Was I happy? No! I felt so much pressure to maintain that weight that I punished myself at the gym and ate crazy, artificial diet food. Still hating myself and my body, I beat myself up every time I ‘broke’ the diet or put on a kilo.
In all this time, I was convinced that Weight Watchers was the be all and end all. I was convinced it was me that was faulty, that I had no willpower or discipline.
In that time, I saw hundreds of women come through those doors, suffering, hating themselves. I could recognize it a mile off – because I was just like them. You know what? Out of the very few women that ever got to their ‘goal weight’ every single one that I know of has put all that weight back on. I am telling you now that dieting is a waste of money, time and energy.
At the start of 2007, my life fell apart.
One of my friends was killed in a car accident, my best friend moved hundreds of kilometres away and we were in the middle of renovating our house. I was 50kg and thought I was healthy. I contracted parvo virus – an airborne autoimmune disease.
I went from an active, gym junkie to not being able to get out of bed. I was a mess. I was prescribed antidepressants. The weight stacked on. More than I had ever put on in my life. I tried to go back to the gym, but for every week I went, I needed three weeks to recover. The chronic fatigue hit me so hard. I wasn’t in control of my body anymore and I hated it.
It’s been a journey full of ups and downs since then. Not only has my weight gone up and down, but so has my health. I tried other diets and approaches without success. I found out I had a bulging disc in my back. I had a whole series of health issues – systemic candida, insomnia, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues, adult acne and ovarian polyps that required surgery.
One day, I found out about toxins. I read in a Nature and Health magazine that to support your immune system, you should cut out all toxins. So I went on a frenzy and eliminated all the chemicals from my house and my food.
That helped enormously with my health and my weight a little too.
It set me on my natural, new age path.
I started to eat real, organic foods and began gentle exercise and yoga again.
The weight was coming off, but it was slow and up and down.
Slowly it dawned on me that my weight problem wasn’t about the food I ate or the exercise I did, it was all about my lack of self-love.
When I exercised, it was me punishing my body for being overweight.
When I ate crappy diet food instead of delicious real food, it was me punishing my body for being overweight.
I had the wrong focus all along.
This was a huge revelation for me and a very different path.
I had to let go of punishing myself and start loving myself instead. I know in my heart, that this is the right path. How can it not be?
Love is always the answer.
I am trusting in myself and the Universe, that this path will eventually lead my poor, neglected body to a happy and healthy place of peace.
So, how am I doing this?
Well, lots of things are helping me learn how to do this.
Yoga. Lots of yoga and lots of meditation. Yoga literally, is a joining of body and mind. It helps me have awareness of how my body is feeling and what my body needs.
Coaching. My beautiful friend Kirri recognized my struggle by something I let slip one day and offered to help. I know she is an angel sent to me on this journey. With her coaching and guidance, I am learning self-compassion and mindfulness. I am watching, learning and listening. What are my thoughts? What negative beliefs do I have? What are my emotional triggers? I am learning that I am more than my body.
EFT. I am only just starting doing this technique, but I think it is going to lead to huge changes. Tapping enables you to ‘let go’ of stuff you are carrying around. I feel that letting go of stuff will enable my body to function better and I will also be able to ‘let go’ of the weight that is protecting me.
Realizing I wasn’t alone. I used to hold my cards close to my chest. The only person who knew how hard things were for me was my husband. The Universe brought me into contact with another angel in the form of Alisha, The Naughty Naturopath Mum. Suddenly, here was someone with the same issues as me and I felt able to share with her my feelings of self-loathing, never feeling good enough and not really measuring up as a real ‘natural new age mum’. Alisha wrote this blog post and it gave me courage and inspired me. She is my soul sister and I love her.
Nourishing myself. Some of my ‘homework’ with Kirri was to commit to and make time for things that nourish me. Instead of doing things to punish my body for being the way it is, I am doing things to nourish my body because I love myself and I deserve it. Wow. What a complete 180 ! I made a list of things that nourish me. I made a list of things a person who loves themselves would do every day. I am gradually incorporating them into my life. I have been able to let go of anxiety about my weight and focus on self nurturing and self-love.
I was really excited when Kirri told me that she was putting the techniques that we had been doing together into an online coaching course. She has teamed up with Corona Brady (yoga and health guru) and come up with Nourished. Having had an eating disorder herself, Kirri has such empathy and understanding. She saw many women unhappy and struggling with their weight and body image and felt she needed to help. I knew she was onto something. Something important. Something big.
I am going to participate in the course. I feel like there is more for me to learn and consolidating and reinforcing what I have already learnt can only be a good thing.
I very nearly didn’t sign up. I thought I couldn’t spend that money on myself. I thought our family had other priorities for that money. That was the ‘old’ me thinking! The ‘new’ me says I am worth it. I am worth the money. I am worth the time. I am worth the effort.
I know my family would prefer to see me happy and healthy and participate more rather than being depressed and unhappy on the sidelines.
I decided to join Nourished as an affiliate. Kirri asked a few of us to join her in spreading the word. I, for one, am shouting it from the rooftops and am happy to tell people how great she is! I know how much this approach has helped me. More than Kirri will probably ever know and for that, I am eternally grateful.
You can find out more about what they are up to at the Nourished website and even win a spot in the course!
I am here if you need support or have any questions about my experience so far.
I feel good. I feel happy. I feel empowered.
I am learning to love myself. I deserve to be happy.
I feel like I am finally making peace with my body. ♥
UPDATE! Kirri is running her course again this year in July and you can WIN a spot in the course! Check it out here.
Yay you! I bet it felt good getting all that out. You are totally on the right track now and I know it will make a huge difference in the rest of your life.
I’m a bit teary here today 🙂
So, so beautiful Sonia. Everyone that knows you loves you so I’m sure that people when reading this will feel they have gotten to know you even more and love you even more. It’s the story of so many and you give it such a beautiful voice. Well done hun xxxxx
thank you – that means a lot and thank you for being my soul sister!
Much love to you. Be gentle with yourself. You are amazing.
thank you Clover 🙂
Well done and I hope you have a very nourishing journey 🙂
thanks Mrs P ! I tell you what, nourishing and nurturing yourself is a lot more fun!
Wonderfuly written, thanks for sharing x I’m sure your bravery will inspire many xx
I hope even just one person realizes they are not alone xxx
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Congratulations on your success in doing this post and all that’s in it. I have been down a simular path and now on the same road 🙂 Ladies it is time we all learnt not to be ashamed of ourselves and its great & ok to have troubles & need help at times in life – we are not alone. Be proud.
Cheers Julie
yes, no shame is a big one to learn!
Thank you for posting such a raw account of your personal struggle. To be able to share what you have done/and are still doing everyday to better your health and well-being is an inspiration to me and many other women and men out there I am sure.
Congratulations and thank you.
Btw I love the last picture you of you on the blog, you look so happy and radiant clearly a testament to your lifestyle.
thanks Katrina – I am still a work in progress !
thanks for your beautiful story Sonia – it’s a ridiculously common saga that most people won’t talk about! I can completely relate! Oh, isn’t it awful!
Thankfully for me when my daughter was born a whole lot of healing happened and I’ve never been happier with my larger than ever body image!
isn’t it funny – all I see in other people is their beautiful souls and energy – but I couldn’t see it in myself!
You are beautiful jut the way you are xxx
thanks Tanja! everyone is!
Thank you so much for this post. I just cancelled my weight watchers subscription. All it has done is cost me money and make me feel like a failure!!! Time to stop pushing and hating and start loving. I’m off to have a nice cup of coffee……… cos I feel like it 🙂
yay! It really messes with your head ! I don’t even weigh myself anymore!
Isn’t it funny (or not) that we all think everybody except us has it all together. Thanks for sharing.
no-one has it all together – some people just hide it better than others!
So true!
This is such a beautiful and honest post Sonia, thank you for sharing it with us. We are all sharing the same challenges in some way or another and it helps immensely to hear other people’s stories. Also…we are the same height!
thanks for your support Kris!
Thank you for sharing your story Sonia. I can completely empathise with you and have been on a similar journey. My wake up call was my 2 sisters having gastric banding surgery, but still being unhappy as they hadn’t addresses the issues for their weight gain in the first place. I knew I had to do something, or I’d be there too! I find I need reminding every day that I am a good person and that I add value to this world and it has nothing to do with my weight or how I look.
Yes, you are right! The issues didn’t go away even when I was a ridiculously tiny size 8! It’s not about the weight, it’s about us.
Gosh, you’ve done so much to help other people via your blog – I’m glad you’re taking time to nourish yourself too. I’ve learned so much from reading your posts! I wish there was a magic pill for self love. It seems to be the single most destructive ‘disease’ most of us are faced with in our lives and it impacts on so many other things, and other people. I can relate a lot to your journey. Thanks so much for sharing it so honestly x
Thanks Lara – I think it’s so important !! I am going to be a self love evangelist from now on!
Thanks for sharing – there is a TED talk by Brene Brown about vulnerability & she explains when we are more authentic & allow ourselves to be vulnerable we become more connected with people and therefore happier. If anyone hasnt seen it you should check it out. Being vulnerable is something I really struggle with but I’m slowly learning 🙂 so I admire you for being so open.
Sounds brilliant! I have heard of her, but yet to read her work. I must do now! 🙂
Huge hugs to you Sonia – an amazingly open and touching account that I can really identify with. As somebody earlier mentioned, I immediately thought of Brene Brown and her work on vulnerability, courage and shame and living wholeheartedly when I read this. I’ve signed up for Nourished too and I’m so looking forward to it, both what Kirri and Corona have to offer AND the amazing community of women that I’m sure will come together for it.I hope you are feeling the love coming back at you – you’re one amazing woman!!
Yay Caz – we can be nourished together – I am so excited about it!! I really need to read Brene Brown now!
Thanks so much for sharing! I needed to hear this today as I’m just starting on my “self” journey.. So great to hear we’re all actually a work in progress!! Thank you! xxx
Best wishes for your journey!!
What an amazing post! Its wonderful to learn more about you and what has made you so kind and giving to others;)
Sharing your story can be really healing or just really painful but it really helps others to not feel alone too:D
Thanks Zarah! I am quite a private person, but it just wanted to come out today !! 😉
wonderful post, and I’m taking note of every single word you wrote there! I saw Nick Ortner in melbourne a few weeks ago on a hay house event, and since I’d never heard of him before or of tapping eft, I was fascinated. Bought his book and now tapping – it really is a wonderful tool! and it works!!! all the best to you and thank you for sharing this difficult post with us all here!
My hubby has been using tapping to AMAZING effect. He is a new man. I am sold on this technique and can’t wait to do more of it!!
I have sent you a message with a few thoughts after reading this. I’m moved beyond words and at the risk of sounding patronising…I am ridiculously proud of you xx
I love you. That is all.
Thank you for sharing your personal story. I really love your blog and find it very inspiring.
Thanks Sophie. It really means a lot when you say that. It is my soul purpose and I love it.
Wow – what an amazing insight to an amazing woman. So giving of yourself to other people, it is nice to know that you are giving to yourself now. YOU TOTALLY DESERVE IT! Thanks for sharing this. I think it’s so easy to put those who are ‘on the right path’ on a pedestal, but every single person is so much more than who they are at this point in time. We are our years of struggles. Thanks for letting us know a bit more of the woman behind NNAM. And well done x
Thanks Lisa!! It’s hard to be vulnerable, but I hope it helped. xx
Wow Sonia!
So raw, so honest and you can just see the empowerment you have released by writing this.
It is truly incredible that you have not actually realised how special you are to so many people.
We tell you this but I had no idea you didn’t allow yourself to feel the accolades.
You are absolutely gorgeous, inspiring and always radiant.
Your work and experiences have positively changed so many peoples lives – for this you should be so proud!
Your children are a testament to your awesome mothering skills.
You honestly have so much to love about being YOU!
Please continue from strength to strength but if you ever momentarily faulter – please remember how others see you…
One of the most gorgeous and inspiring persons we know!
xxx
Peta
After a life time of not feeling good enough, it’s really hard to take on board accolades! I am trying! Thanks Peta – appreciate it my friend. xx
I think so many women will identify with how you are feeling Sonia, I know I certainly do! Self love and self belief are always the missing ingredient (from what I’ve seen) to women being able to fully accept and love themselves, no matter their shape or size. I look forward to seeing what Nourished offers xx
It is the missing link!!!! We are bombarded with diets, shakes, powders and potions but really, the answer is always inside us all the time. xxx
Sonia, I have been following your facebook page for a few months now and really connect with your approach. Reading your struggle was like reading about my life. I, too, have started to realise that weight is not the issue and that I need to start loving myself and putting first. Thank you for sharing and helping many off us by knowing we are not alone!
Ditto Joanne. Thank you Natural New Age Mum for sharing and baring your soul. I believe I have found your page for a reason! Much love & gratitude xx
thanks Elissa – you are all here for a reason – I am learning so much from you all as well xxxx it feels pretty special
Go Joanne! Good on you honey!! I promise you, it will make you happy. xxx
Thank you for sharing…you had me all teary. Well done on how far you’ve come, I can understand some of what you’ve been through. As someone who is starting out on the natural eating/looking after myself journey, you’ve given me a lot to think about =)
I have been teary all day reading the comments! thank you xx
Thank you for sharing your great story 🙂 it is inspiring & will help many to realise there is hope! I can relate to it too. You have a fabulous web site because you give us a voice to ask questions & encourage people to share what has helped them! I love that about it! You feel less alone that way so Congratulations on an amazing journey! Thinking of you xx
Thanks so much Astros! I feel like we need to support other women, other mums so much. There is so much we can do together to change the world and bring up the next generation of fabulous souls. xxx
Such a beautiful and honest post Sonia! Thank you so much for sharing your story.
You’re an inspiration to myself and many others and I’m so glad you’re learning to love yourself. That is something I have also struggled with all my life and am slowly but surely working my way through x you’re pretty spesh!
You are too. You are such a beautifully, kind, compassionate lady – you need to love yourself xxx
Wow. Thank you so much for writing this. What an inspiration you are. I just had my fourth baby and was considering starting up WW’s. I’ve struggled with weight fluctuation since my teens, and your post… Man, there is something so freeing..let go of all the garbage, all the made up perceptions in our minds and just love ourselves. I am not alone :). Thank you
Yes, let it all go! just love yourself and the rest will follow xx
Wonderful Sonia! I love that you are embracing EFT in supporting yourself. Please get in touch with me for a session as needed. We can’t always see what needs attention on our own. An extra pair of eyes and an extra heart and energy mind makes a big difference.
x
I will Kelly. I just have to prioritize the funds. But I will get there!
So true.
thanks for stopping by Christie xxx
I always enjoy your NNAM posts but this is by far my favourite. Thank you for sharing your story with us, and by doing so, reassuring so many of us out there, that we are not alone in our thoughts.
Never alone Rebel! For all it’s evils this internet thingy can create such good. xxx
Well done you for sharing this amazing story, sounds like you are well and truly on the right path!
I agree 100% that diets get you nowhere in the long run!
And I just have to say – that after reading most of these comments I am amazed at the positivity around you! you obviously radiate much positivity and good vibes yourself as I didn’t spy one negative/troll type comment which tend to plague blogs these days! So impressive! and I believe that must speak volumes about you and the respect people have for you! another thing for you to feel great about!
Wishing you well with your healthy living!
you want to know my secret? I have an anti-bad vibe shield up. I asked the Universe for only beautiful souls with beautiful energy to be in my space.
What a breakthrough Sonz. I hope you feel empowered and released, as you should. We sure are a priveleged mob to have you in our community. Sharing your strength, light, humour, passion, knoweldge and vulnerablity. Your story is an important one. Yasmeen(7)came home the other day stating that she had bigger legs than all the other girls at school. She had studied the shape against theirs in detail. Yet her exposure to advertising & certain beliefs about body image is limited? Or so I thought.Clearly there is no escaping the unattainable ideals that consumerism, advertising and marketing forces upon our culture. It’s up to all us mindful mums to take care with our daughters, otherwise they will follow in the torturous path of negative self-image that sadly most of us have experienced at some point in our lives.Thank you. x
I see it a lot amongst my daughter’s friends but thankfully my girl has such a strong sense of self. From a little girl I would always tell her she was beautiful and she would always reply – I know, I looked in the mirror!! She is teaching me so much about self love and acceptance. xxx
Love that. She’s such a cool little chick. x
THANKYOU Sonia for sharing your very personal journey with us. I feel that it is a struggle that so many of us suffer. That sense of not being good enough is complex and for some of us it manifests in weight fluctuation, or addictive behaviour or self harm / violent relationships. U will have touched and inspired SO many people with this post in so many different ways. Here’s cheers to YOU and to everybody finding their own healing path and self love xx Lisa
thanks for stopping by Lisa – I appreciate the thoughts. I hate that so many women suffer like this. It’s time to start the self love movement!
Beautiful!! Once again you have read my mind and done a post that I can so relate to right this moment. I am currently struggling with my body image, they way I look and the way I think I should look. Time for me to do some soul searching/nurishing rather than physically punshing myself with a gruelling workout regime. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Yes, please investigate the nourishing, nurturing and loving yourself. You are more than your body. xxxxx
Thank you Sonia for your brave and honest words. Your story resonates with me as it will with many. I loved seeing your photos especially the last one and without knowing you, I see a beautiful gorgeous and attractive woman and I think, wow, wish I could look as good as her!! Everyone’s comments are true and heartfelt, go well on your journey. Hugs.
We always compare to others and we rarely treat ourselves with the same compassion as others. How did we even start doing that? xxx
Lovely post, I can imagine how hard that was for you to write. I could not do that yet. Self care is often the last of our priorities, when it really should be our first, as happy mummy = happy home, everyone benefits. xx Nikki
I didn’t think I would EVER do it – but it poured out of me and I couldn’t stop it. The time was right. xxxx
Big hugs, you are such an inspiration and beautiful sole.
thanks my friend xxx
Beautiful post Sonia. Thanks for sharing. Your story is so inspiring and empowering and you are a great advertisement for clean, wholistic living.
thanks Angela – I am really keeping it real today huh! 😉
What an inspiration you are and a beautiful soul for sharing so openly and deeply. On a similar journey myself, it’s only when you start speaking to others that you realise you’re not alone. What a wonderful feeling. Smile at what you’ve achieved by doing this and the strength it gives others. Hugs to you. Xx
You are never alone! It just takes that step to be vulnerable xx
Sonia, just remember, you always had and always will have a beautiful soul!! Lots of emotional hugs as you continue on your journey.
thanks Sharyn – as someone as known me since this all began, that means a lot – would love to give you a hug in person again one day soon xxxx
Wow, Sonia, what a fantastic and moving post! Thank you so much for sharing your story, it makes such a difference and is truly inspiring. Good for you for enrolling in the course even though you have already made so much progress. I am going to go check it out next.
I am sure the journey is only just begun, but I think just starting is half the battle!
I really felt this and shed a few tears myself. Your story is so real and thank you for sharing. It’s wonderful to know you have discovered this now and not let it go by for the rest of your life. Love is all you need xx
thanks Leah! you are so inspiring yourself ! xxx
Good on you, thanks for sharing.
thanks Karen xxx
What a fantastic and honest read. So brave of you to put it out there, but for such a good cause. I recognised myself in parts of that. So glad you are feeling so much better and are now able to help others.
Thanks Bron ! It was a long time coming, but the time felt right today. xxx
Thank you for sharing your story…
I am starting young with my children (5, 3 and 9 months) in talking about beauty being something that comes from inside. It is such a hard but important lesson to learn in life I think, one I am still learning of course!
thank you again, best wishes with your journey.
I have done the same with my children and happy to report they are both brimming with self confidence and self esteem. xxxx
Thanks for sharing your story Sonia. It’s one that many of us can relate to and it feels great when you can finally reach a place of acceptance and self love.
Congratulations and how empowering and inspiring 🙂
I am still a work in progress and probably always will be, but it sure is getting easier!
Sonia, you are so brave and beautiful. What an amazing and inspiring read! Keep up the great work lovely x
thanks beautiful!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m 172cm tall and have been everywhere from 57kg to 76kg. At 57kg I was unhappy and still thought I was fat. Go figure. Now my weight is somewhere in between those 2 numbers, and I just focus on eating fresh, healthy food and doing exercise that I enjoy (like surfing and yoga), and I’ve never felt better! My advice to the women out there? Stop looking at all those “fitspiration” and “before and after” photos on Facebook (most of those photos are photoshopped or altered in some way anyway). If you just focus on being happy and healthy, everything else will start to fall into place 🙂
Yes I couldn’t agree more. Comparing yourself only leads to unhappiness!
Thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. It took such courage for you to speak out about your lifelong challenges – I can’t tell you how much I relate to so many of them. It is so important to be able to speak our own truth and have that recognised and validated – I am so glad that you have so many wonderful readers who have done that. A friend once said to me after I apologised for being “emotionally messy” one day – no need to apologise. You were being real. And if you can’t share that and have to put on a happy face all the time, what the hell is the point. Real friends deal with the messy as well as the happy and sunny. I found that you reveal some of yourself through all your posts and the person I was building up in my head is exactly the beautiful soul you have revealed you are today. Thanks again – such an inspirational mum!
awww Kate, thank you so much. I like to ‘keep it real’ but also be a little bit private. Today it just wanted to come out. xxx
You are beautiful inside and out.
I have been very hard on myself for a long time and often without realising it. Blessings to you.
I know we don’t realize and we don’t realize the stuff we say to ourselves is wrong!! Time to self love Sandra. Thanks for being on this journey with me. xxxx
Thank you so much for sharing your story and being the beautiful, inspiring person that you are Sonia!! Sending lots of love and strength your way and I hope the journey continues to get easier xo
It’s all downhill from now since I converted to the religon of self love !! 😀
Beautiful post. It takes a great deal of courage to be so open, and I have begun to discover that there are a great number of us out there who feel the same way. We need to self love and SHARE.
Thank you for your post xo
Thanks Marina. I really hope it’s getting people thinking more about being kind to themselves. xxx
I’m crying now…I can relate to so much you have said. I’m a year off 30 and determined not to carry the relationship with my weight of my 20’s into my 30’s. It really struck me about motivations – punishing yourself. Can you share with me some of the things you have in your list that nourish you?..I think I need to take that leaf out of your book. Much love xo
Hey sweets. I think it’s different for everyone maybe? But I have things like organic, whole food, water, yoga, walking, meditation, lots of sleep, spoiling myself, aromatherapy baths, time with my friends. That sort of thing. xxx
This is a such a brave and wonderful post, thank you for inviting us in and sharing your journey.
Your posts and recipes are constanting inspiring me and i am also slowly beginning to nurture and nourish myself more and more.
Thank you x
Hey Nicole, thanks so much! Go the nurturing! We can start a revolution here! 😉
You’re beautiful and I’m so very glad to know you x
ditto Pam !! You are so bloody inspiring with your marathon walks!! go mumma!
Thank you for that inspiring post. I can relate to your feelings of self worth. Being much older than you and still worrying about my weight and constantly thinking about the food I eat is somewhat exhausting. But your post has given me hope and a bit of a reality check. Thank you.
It is Wendy ! So exhausting ! When we could be giving our energy to fun things in life! Let it go and just be you. You are beautiful xxxx
Wow Sonia a big decision to share your story I am sure, thank you for sharing with us the path that has led you to being a NNAM. It is evident from the space you have created here that you are a very giving person and sometimes when giving comes naturally, receiving is something that takes a lot of practice! It is a rare woman who has not at some time struggled with their weight or body image I think this says more about our times than about individual women. Sending you much love on your journey x
thanks Nikki – it was the right time to share and I was really guided to do it today – it just came pouring out!! xx
you, are, quite simply: amazing, courageous, honest, raw, endearing, encouraging, generous, kind & most of all.. inspiring! and that’s just my short version list! nothing more to say except I’m so proud of you for writing that post not just for the healing that it will bring you, but also for the fact that it will impact others in a helpful and positive way. Super huge cyber hugs to you xxxxxx
awww thanks Jade xx
Good on you Sonia, it’s so true we never happy whatever our weight. I too decided whatever happens I am what I am.
thanks Rose xx
Thanks for sharing your story. My mum (with her heart in the right place) put me on my first diet when I was 11, weight watchers for the first time at 16 and I too did ww until I was 31 with my weight and health up and down my whole life. I’m not “there yet” in terms of being at a healthy and happy place with my body but since finding this real food, whole food, repairing the gut food, toxic free lifestyle – I definitely feel more grounded, more calm and feel like its the right path. A much more positive path. Thanks for your honesty and openness. Wishing you good health and contentment 🙂
Oh Ren, sounds like our stories are so similar! Yep the positive path is a good path! 🙂 xxx
We beat ourselves up so much, about so many things… we certainly need to share more of our inner demons… Thanks for sharing some of yours.
thanks Tina!!! xxx
Treat yourself as you treat others and you will be “Loved Up” in abundance my dear friend. Masses of spiritual hugs and support XXX
thanks Rae and you have been instrumental in my natural, new age journey so I give thanks to the Universe to sending you my way!! xxx
Thank you for putting voice to all OUR stories – so many of us feel this way – but so few of us put words to it – bravo for being so brave 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and your kind words xxx
Well now I am teary also because I too am traveling a very similar path. I can relate to your feelings of self loathing and despair and then the clarity that comes with knowing that love and self care is the key. It is definitely no ‘quick fix’ like so many products out there claim to be, but nurturing the physical, emotional and spiritual self is the answer – I feel it in all my being. Thank you so much for sharing your story as it gave me more strength for letting go of things in my life that no longer serve my wellness. You are an amazing, inspirational and beautiful woman and I am honoured to have you as part of my Facebook life! Keep being you because ‘you’ are AWESOME xxxooo
thanks Mel! You have been the person to open up my eyes to additive, so you have played a bit part in my journey – I am so grateful! xx
Congratulations and good luck on your journey of self love … it’s very brave of you to put your story “out there” but it just makes you more adorable and relate-able 🙂
thanks Tracey – you telling your story helped inspire me too!! xxxx
It was really nice to see how you got to where you are today. Must be great to have a ‘team’ on your side supporting the ups and the downs. I have worked out recently I need to take of myself better – put myself first some of the time. Its very hard but it makes me a happier and more patient and understanding person. Goodluck on the journey Sonia xx
You have discovered the power of self care! Thanks for stopping by Annaleis 🙂
What a beautiful post!!I think you will be surprised how many woman feel insecure within themselves. Keep on doing what you are doing, you are an inspiration to everyone who reads NNAM.I am going to read this every week, just like I make Blueberry Breafast Slice. 🙂
Oh Linda! You are too sweet! 🙂
HI Sonia,
I am so sorry you have had such a struggle with your weight for so long, I think you are beautiful in all your photos at all different sizes. Just think though if you didn’t have that struggle you probably would not be here writing Natural New Age Mum – which is where you are supposed to be:) . I am grateful for your struggle because otherwise I would not be able to make my natural cleaning spray etc etc…love your blog always have. You rock
thanks for being such a great supporter Lauren – yes it’s all part of the journey! xxx
Thank you.
thanks for reading Anna !! x
Wow! Sonia! Thank you! I so do resonate with your story! I didn’t know you & Bek were friends! I too have been up & down & all over the place with my weight & I feel now I am starting to see my body as my best friend & to honor it in the best possible way! Thank you for your amazing story!
Hey sweets – I didn’t know you had an awesome website – I have just been over there reading up! I met Bek for the first time last month but we have been FB/Blog friends for ages. Isn’t she a doll? Thank you so much for your kind words. I love the concept of honoring your body. xxxxx
Thanks for sharing, what an amazing journey! Love your work!
thanks Anita 🙂 xx
You are such an incredibly inspiring woman hun – your honesty will free so many and that is such a gift. Thank you xx
thanks for reading! I hope even just one person starts doing some nourishing !
Wow, wow, wow!!! Just when I thought my respect for you couldn’t get any greater! Thanks so much for sharing, you are so brave. I think a lot of mums don’t put ‘loving themselves’ very high on the priority list. This story will touch many 🙂 XX
thanks so much for your kind words!! it’s a daily struggle to practice self love and self care but I am trying!! x
thank you for sharing ….
so many of us ‘struggle’ … and its usually a struggle with or within ourselves. yes the outside world plays a part .. but we are often our own worst enemy ….
I realise that and have a lot of the ‘tools’ to change it …. but I just can’t seem to.
When I read your blog post I cried with sorrow, understanding, fear and so many other emotions.
When I read about this course on their site … I cried again …. with hope .. with fear .. with hope ……
I have entered your competition. I so hope to win it .. I need to win it. I have discussed with my Husband about doing this course if I don’t win … and lets just say its a work in progress.
I need to ‘invest’ in myself .. I know I am worth it (deep down) ….
Thank you for sharing … Now I must go and find some tissues.