I warned you in another blog post that I had plenty to share with you due to a book making me think long and hard. Out of all the books I’ve read in my life, only three, so far, have impacted my life in a great way. Those three books have been: NIV Couples’ Devotional Bible: New International Version
,Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
, and now Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty, and Life after Pregnancy
.
I thought I had written up a blog review of the Love and Respect book, but I hadn’t written one on this particular book, but I did on the devotional that goes to it. The Love and Respect book helped changed my marriage for the better. Since I’ve read that book and devoured all of the guidance in it, my marriage has blossomed into something I never dreamed it could be.
I’m a controlling individual mainly out of fear and insecurity, but I honestly don’t like that aspect of myself one bit! I really honestly and truly would rather only have to give a rats behind about myself alone. However, I constantly have to know every aspect of what my husband and kids are doing at all times. I come across as controlling and disrespectful. Now though, it’s not nearly as bad. Plus l am able to show Del the respect he deserves.
I read Mom in the Mirror honestly figuring I’d only read a few pages of it and get annoyed that it was another book telling me how horrible I am because I haven’t lost this weight yet. Instead, I ended up devouring it and a big list of notes and things I wanted to say and share with you. It made me think and feel so many things! Some of it was emotionally shaking to say the least. So, I hope I don’t overly bore you to death with these blog posts, but to be 100% honest I NEED to express these things for reasons that even I don’t know.
Somehow or another some of my wonderful readers have the impression that I have self-image confidence that I really DON’T have. I’m comfortable with talking about it. I’m comfortable enough to do things for my marriage that I know matter because of my past. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I HATE what I look like when I’m forced to look in the mirror or there is a reflection of myself off my computer screen. I HATE what my body has become.
I have learned the value of “fake it until you make it” mentality from an early age because it was literally a matter of survival for me. It wasn’t a case of me enjoying my circumstances, but it was a case of, if I didn’t come across as I was, there was hell to pay. I have found that this mentality has served me well in many situations.
This mentality has also lead to me believing that I can continue to live the life of an obese woman with pride. When in truth, I HATE it. I miss being able to do all the physical things I was able to do before with complete ease. Being overweight effects every aspect of my life, and hinders me in so many ways. Yet, I can’t seem to break this horrible emotional eating cycle I’m on too. Yes, I do have hormone issues, but I also feel that if I could reign in my emotions I’d also be fine.
I know losing weight would not really solve all my problems. The cold hard truth of the matter is I’d still miserable and scared of losing those I love at every turn. I’d still be fighting the insecurity battles. I know I’d still compare myself to other woman and wish I had a different body.
That’s where all of this journey that this book is making me go down comes into play. This book is about shaping your self-esteem and self-image. It’s about answering those hard core questions that you really want to avoid when you have to think about it. I plan on answering these questions live on my blog. Yes, you will be getting some posts from me that may sound whinny and I apologize now for that fact, but it’s a part of the process. I’m hoping that I get off this cycle I’m on through this whole ordeal.
I’d really love to have you on this journey with me in some form or fashion. If you want to see what the big fuss is about your can get your copy of this remarkable book right now on Amazon. (I did rent this book from my local library!I do wish I had a copy of it for my own though.) I’d love your input too along the way.
Have you read this book and/or can relate to my issue?
There are affiliate links in this post. If you decide to click on them and order something, I do earn a bit of money at no expense to you.
This sounds like a great book!
I’m actually reading the book Let.It.Go. as I have issues with control which is making my faith walk very challenging. I want to hand everything over to God but I have this instinct to control. I think self-esteem issues have a lot of root in control as well.
I’ll have to add this book to my list of must reads.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
You will certainly enjoy this book if you enjoy Let.It.Go. (I have that book on my Kindle to be read soon too.)
I haven’t read this book but really want to now! With two daughters and not the best image of myself, I clearly need to do something!
I hope you’ll enjoy the series then that is coming as a result of me reading this book. I haven’t had a book inspire me like this in a while.
I’ve been doing some soul searching, going to check out this book.
This book will help guide you through your soul searching process that’s for sure. I’m planning on sharing my soul searching realities with all of you. (Which to be honest is really scary, but something I feel I must do.)
Sometimes I am the opposite & have to remind myself I’m a plumpy…lol
Well, darlin’ that means that you are comfortable with who you are, and that’s truly what matters. Our size really doesn’t make us or break us. However, my size is having a negative impact on who I am, and it has been for many years now. That’s what this series I’m working on is really about.
Sounds like it would be a good book to read. I know I don’t have the best body imagine of myself.
I find that shocking because I think you have a remarkable profile picture. Of course, when I was in perfect shape and could still turn heads in a positive manner everywhere I went I definitely didn’t have a good body image then either.
This series sounds so good, I should check it out.
I’m glad to hear that you plan checking out my series as I get it live. I’m working on the second post to it now.
I would like to read this. Sounds like a great book!
It really is an awesome book.
I haven’t read this but definitely relate. I deal with a lot of low self-esteem and though I can appear confident in public, there’s a ton of tension inside. That can’t be hidden from my daughter, though, so I need to work on it and set the right example for her.
My daughter is one of the main reasons this topic is hitting home so harshly lately because I know she is going to copy me the most.
You’ve sold me! I am looking for a new book and am struggling with body image post pregnancy as well. Thanks for the recommendation!
You are so welcome. I’m curious to see if I was the only moved by this book? I’m still working on the promised posts from the results of reading this book!