Overcoming Negative Self-Talk During Life's Changes

I was really struggling with something recently, and after doing my check-ins with my clients that day, I realized that so many of you guys struggle with the same thing.

Prior to my fitness journey, I dealt with a lot of negative feelings towards myself and my body image. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin or clothes, or even with myself. When I got to a place where all of this shifted and it became positive and I felt confident, I thought I’d never have to go back to that place or that person I was before. Boy was I wrong.

I’m constantly reminded of the seasons of life that our bodies go through. I’ve been both super shredded and lean, and I’ve felt “fluffy” and uncomfortable in my clothing. No major fluctuations — probably something the people around me wouldn’t even really notice. But to ME.. the issue was the return of the negative feelings. The fear that I was reverting back to that person I was before I truly loved myself.

After traveling for weeks, coming back and getting sick, having my training and eating pretty much thrown out the window, I found myself slipping into this place of negativity again. I found myself feeling like that old version of me felt, and frustrated that I felt that way more than anything. I think this has less to do with how I look in the mirror, and so much more to do with allowing my habits to slip.

This happens to all of us. We’re progressing really well and then we get an injury, or something stressful happens, or we go on a long trip, or maybe our competing season ends. Something happens that changes our rhythm.

What if instead of beating ourselves up, we recognize we’re just in a different season of our lives? As easy as it was to slip out of rhythm, we can fall back into our healthy habits and routine.

Think of how much easier it would be if we left the self loathing, feelings of negativity, and fear of reverting back to a past self behind.

For the last few days I’ve really focused on what I love about myself, and that has really helped.

All this to say — you are not alone. It’s good knowing I’m not either. We are all dealing with the ups and downs that come with being human and IT. IS. OKAY.

Written by: Sabrina Atterbom, Black Iron Nutrition Coach