Re: Reminding myself that this is a journey

[Guest guest]

, I have found, much to my dismay, that quick comebacks are usually seen through by these little minded people as inept attempts to gain the higher hand after the fact. I have learned over the years to use their own weapon on them. Wait until one fashion misstep then say, "Why, so and so that jacket is so retro, did you get it from a thrift store?" or "You sure are rocking that Dallas make up thing from the 80s, arent you?" or "Honey your roots are showing, wow I didn't know you weren't a natural blonde, could of fooled me."I am TOTALLY not at ALL like this in real life as a real human being but have learned getting quickly snippy right back at them about a misperceived flaw usually shuts them down really quickly. People like that have such little self esteem and even

small senses of AWAREness that that usually does the trick. As much as I would hope that this didn't work I have to say, on occasion, momentarily sinking to their level did in fact, work. get em tiger!JennaTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 5:01:10 PMSubject: Reminding myself that this is a journey

This is feeling very "two steps forward, one step back" for me. I have been really focusing on embracing and loving my body as it is, changing my negative internal monologue, and adjusting my view of skinny=beautiful. I feel like I have been doing well, progressing slowly toward body acceptance and starting to see a kinder self view emerge.

And then, out of the blue, a coworker asks me if I am pregnant. And, though I feigned nonchalance, I wanted to run back to my office and hide under my desk for the rest of the day. This person is often blunt and English is her second language, so her comments generally lack tact and subtlety. Also, she has never been welcoming to me and regularly criticizes me in public. I know in my head that she is a negative, difficult person, and when she makes comments that attack me on professional merit, I can quickly come back with a polite but firm response that diffuses her inappropriate criticism. So why, when she criticizes my body, can't I come back with an equally strong response? Why does that still reduce me to a teary adolescent?

I know that this is not a linear path and that I will have peaks and valleys in my progress towards intuitive eating and self acceptance, but it sure is hard to take comfort in that when you are plopped unceremoniously into a valley.

Just for fun, here are some responses that I wish I had said to her:

-You think I look pregnant? How wonderful! My husband always thought I looked the most beautiful when I was pregnant!

-No, I'm not pregnant, but I am still proud of this belly that produced my two amazing boys! (while rubbing said belly)

-Well, you know you're never supposed to ask someone if they are pregnant so you don't hurt their feelings if they aren't really pregnant. I guess it's a good thing I am not easily offended. I am just grateful for this healthy body I have been given.