Sue Guynn
Originally published August 31, 2010
HAVE YOU EVER been called the "F" word? Have you used the "F" word to describe yourself?
You know the word in question -- fat. You may have even looked in the mirror and said to yourself, "I'm fat, with a capital F-A-T."
I have. When my husband hears me make a negative statement about how I look, he reminds me not to say such things, especially in his presence. To him, I'm beautiful.
Negative self-talk is a downer, it's self-defeating. If you say you can't or hate to do something -- like exercise, eat more vegetables run a mile or lose weight -- there's a good chance you won't -- not because you can't, but because you think you can't.
Some people have a lifetime of negative self-talk running through their minds every day. But you can learn to turn it off. It takes a little effort, but seeing the glass half full instead of half empty may have some healthy benefits.
According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers are exploring the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Positive thinking may lead to an increased life span, lower rates of depression, greater resistance to the common cold and better coping skills. All good things.
Alan Jackson says it so well in his song "That'd Be Alright" -- "Hey, go heavy on the good and light on the bad, A hair more happy and a shade less sad. Turn all the negative down just a tad; That'd be alright."
The Mayo Clinic offers these tips to help turn off the negative self-talk switch:
n Check yourself throughout the day and evaluate what you are thinking. Put a positive spin on negative thoughts. For instance, when you've been handed a new task, replace the negative "I've never done it before" with "It's an opportunity to learn something new."
n--It's OK to smile or laugh, even during difficult times. It can help relieve stress.
n Surround yourself with positive people. Negative people have a tendency to bring others down with them.
n Don't say anything to yourself, about yourself, that you wouldn't say to anyone else.
You have an opportunity to test your new-found positive self-talk in October with Fat Talk Free Week, Oct. 18 to 22. It's a week to turn off the fat talk.
What's fat talk? It's all those little statements we, mostly women, make about our bodies. You know ... "Does this make me look fat?" "I need to lose (fill-in-the-blank) pounds."
Fat Talk Free Week is sponsored in part by the Tri-Delta sorority's Reflections: Body Image Program, a peer-led program on college campuses that emphasizes creating and reaffirming positive and healthy personal body images and decreasing fat talk in students' daily lives.
Caitlin Boyle of North Carolina has launched a campaign to help others stop the negative self-image thoughts -- a problem she needed to overcome, too. Called Operation Beautiful, Boyle encourages women to leave Post-It notes with simple messages that will empower and uplift those who find them.
"You're beautiful!"
"You are truly special!"
"You deserve to be happy."
"Let the world see your beautiful smile."
"Scales measure weight, not worth."
"It's about changing the way you see, not the way you are, one Post-It note at a time," she writes on her website, www.operationbeautiful.com.
Women who have posted notes share images of their notes left in public places, on bathroom mirrors, in library books, anywhere another person will find it, and the story behind the message on the note. It's a movement that's taken hold worldwide. Boyle has published a book by the same name, "Operation Beautiful," full of the most unique notes she's received. There are also chapters that address food, fitness and fat talk.
Boyle's ultimate message is that you really can change your life with a positive outlook.
Susan Guynn is a feature reporter who also writes a country music blog at fredericknewspost.com/threechords, and an outdoor column, Outdoorswomen, that runs the fifth Sunday of the month in the Travel & Outdoors section. Contact her at sguynn@newspost.com.
From Frederick News Post.com published on August 31, 2010
