Why You Must Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin

I have had one of those weeks, well maybe a little longer than a week. You know the ones that hit after you have had extremely exciting news and then, as time passes, you start to wonder if it really happened? Being told I am a state finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards was one of those moments, and yet  as we creep closer to the announcement of the state winners, my shine has become a little less, well shiny. I guess it is like in those game shows where the contestant is at the safe level, but they have a few more bridges to cross to get to the golden door. I am extraordinarily thrilled and delighted to have reached this stage, which is something to remain proud and excited about no matter what. But the sense that things are now in the hands of the gods so to speak, can be slightly unnerving.

My recent work pace has also been in overdrive and my diabetes has not been playing a fair game, so all in all when I looked in the mirror as I was washing my hands on Monday and saw my crazy hair, washed out face and a fabulous pimple on  my neck, I thought, my god girl you need an overhaul! So I did what any self respecting woman with this situation would, and booked myself into the day spa on Tuesday for a bit of TLC time. I had the full works, time in the spa to myself, a facial and a manicure, where secretly my favourite part is that you get to pick a movie to watch and because you are stuck there getting your nails done, you have to sit still for the whole time and just watch a movie. It feels like slightly naughty, hooky playing bliss. I asked my lovely 20 something therapist during the facial, if they had a cream to help with my red cheeks which I have always had, but which are getting worse as I well, AGE. She looked very serious and told me these were my options:

1. Use this amazing new active ingredient cream they have just got in, which I will find will make my skin very “tight” and it will most likely go very dry and “peel” and be “flaky” until my skin “gets used to it”; or option B
2. Undergo this “amazing” new skin therapy called needling, where they will essentially use a roller covered in NEEDLES to injure my skin on my face so it is “forced to heal” and my skin will look brand new…..but it’s ok as they use numbing cream…

I think the look on my red cheeked face told  her she was not winning in the sales pitch department before I even opened my mouth. I told her that I would “think about it and get back” to her, perhaps in the next century.

I left and went to the chemist to grab some facial oils and some lovely french sounding cream that claims to get rid of redness (but which I know will not),  just to make me feel like I am doing something good for my skin, and I vote for that over the NEEDLES any day- I am all for the placebo effect.

My hubby and I were talking the next night about our weight, as our scales had a flat battery for weeks (which was kinda cool) and we both climbed back on the scale wagon, expecting 20 kilo weight gains as punishment for not weighing ourselves every day, and in fact – we were the same weight as before the scales stopped working. Funny that. We also chatted about some research I heard recently at a conference about how people who are a little overweight as they age actually live longer than their skinny friends, and that in fact trying to lose lots of weight as you get older can be damaging to your health. Those who are very overweight or obese will definitely have health problems, but if you are a little overweight this can apparently be a positive thing as you age.

Have a look at this article about how being slightly overweight may be good for you.
Now I have lived a life of weight problems, at my worst following the birth of my babies, I was obese. You can read my last weight loss journey here following Maxwell’s birth. I have mostly maintained my weight within about 4 kilos up or down since then. If you also walk the weight battle line, you will know it is exhausting. So when I was out walking today I got thinking about why you must be comfortable in your own skin, and made some decisions which I want you to consider making too as these things face us all at some point:

1. I am no longer going to worry about those grey hairs around my temples. I may colour them because I like to colour my hair, but I will not let them be a sign that I am somehow less of a person because I have a few grey hairs
2. I am no longer going to worry about my ruddy cheeks. I have ruddy cheeks and excellent skin for a woman of my age and I am not going to be valued by my skin
3. I am no longer going to stress about every calorie eaten and burned and every kilogram up or down on the scales. Instead I will stay sensible in my eating, dedicated to my exercise and happy in the knowledge I eat well and exercise regularly, so my body will know where my weight needs to be.

The thing is life is short. Watching my 101 year old Grandma waiting (and wanting) to die at the moment, and the pain my dad  is going through as he tries to help her stay here, is no picnic – that is her and my darling mum in the picture. But it reminds me that the number of years we have to enjoy life are very very short. Don’t let someone or something -some ad, or magazine or television show, or “health guru”, tell you what your skin or hair or face or body should be like, and don’t let how you look suck up all that time and energy. It is pointless and it is exhausting and it distracts you from the more important things in life.

Yes we all want to feel and look our best. Yes healthy lifestyle is critical to this. Your looks will change over time and you need to go with that and be joyful that you get the chance to age. In this life the more important thing is how you are as a human being, the words you speak to others, the way you love, the challenges you take on to make the world better, the laughter, the slow days, the fast days, the ones in between. Please please just be you, be beautiful and be comfortable in your own skin.
Without the need for someone to roller your face with needles.
Oh and enjoy this song, it is one of my all time favourites
Helen
xx