I am 20 pounds heavier than I was when I had my tummy tuck a few years ago.

TWENTY!

I've had some deep conversations about body image lately.

And especially as statistics show that 70% of resolutions are centered around the physical body, I would imagine it might be on your mind, too.

I'm happy to see that the language and tolerance around "diet culture" has really shifted AWAY from weight loss, fitting in that bikini, and counting calories - literally in the past two or three years.

Whenever I see influencers on IG boasting about their before and after figures, I'm like, really? Did you not get the memo?

It's taken centuries to finally get here. In fact, look what I found from Miriam-Baker:

As early as 1600 BC, corsets were worn from childhood until marriage as a way to keep women looking “modest”. On the wedding night, grooms were required to slowly undo each of the up to 50 laces in order to demonstrate self-control. Throughout the Renaissance and well into the modern period, women used corsets to stabilize their breasts.

But yet, some habits and mindsets are really hard to break. This quote from previous guest, Dr. Valerie Rein that stopped me DEAD in my tracks.

“Most of us don’t experience our bodies as our friends - rather they are things we have to manage and torture into compliance. We scheme about how we can squeeze more energy out of them or squeeze them into smaller-sized dressed with Spanx underneath.”

DAAAAAAYUM!!!!

I struggled with a pretty severe case of disordered eating and body dysmorphia.

I could literally feel myself going crazy and completely gripped in an unhealthy obsession I couldn't figure out how to escape.

It felt like I was screaming at my insane self to come back and that it didn't matter.

But I was a goner.

I've always been open about the experience but never talked about the spiraling details until today's episode of Late Learner.

When you hear the origins of where it came from, I imagine you'll relate in your own experiences.

And my relationship to my body today is sooooo different...more athleisure (duh!), less restrictive clothing, more flexibility and less judgment...but danger always feels lurking.

I hope you listen. and share not only this post with your circles and on your socials, but your story as well.

Releasing the shame is where we begin to heal.

EP171: To Goal or Not To Goal - Audio

EP171: To Goal or Not To Goal - VIDEO (*NEW*)

xo,

Allison

P.S. Why am I just discovering this? Can't stop.

P.P.S. I'm still obsessed with Harry & Meghan. I pre-ordered his book a long time ago but I'm cringing to actually listen. 😬 What about you?

P.P.P.S. You MUST play this! YOU NEED IT! (Watching this every damn day!)

P.P.P.P.S. Want in on the NEW New Year Challenge? We got room for ya. Also, can you take 1 minute to answer 5 questions for me about what would feel awesome for you here?

P.P.P.P.P.S. I'm putting together a very special, curated and bespoke in-person experience for women in Atlanta next month. Be sure to subscribe to this blog/email at allisonhare.com and make sure you're on the list to attend. You won't want to miss it!