In 2006, I did one of my Juicy Woman seminars for a local group of women. Mary is a mature woman with a family. She shared with our group that throughout her life she was taught to care for others, set aside her needs and make certain that everyone around her was happy. She admitted that deep down, in her heart, she considered her needs as less important than anyone else’s.
Her life centered on what other people thought about her. She did her best to get everybody to like her so she always went out of her way to please everyone. Mary never felt comfortable saying, “No.” She reasoned that she didn't want to let anyone down or hurt their feelings.
Sadly she attracted people in her life who took advantage of her kindness and had little respect for her. Without consciously being aware of it, she realized that she had allowed herself to be treated like a doormat.
One day she went to the doctor for a routine exam and she was told that she had cancer. The doctor explained to her about the deleterious effects of stress on the body and told her that she had to make some choices. She had to change her lifestyle and make herself a priority.
That's when she realized that if she were to survive, she had to weed out the things in her life that were toxic. She started by saying, "No."
Today Mary is a cancer survivor.
She says along the road to remission, she lost a few “friends” and acquaintances, and she regained her sense of self.
She told the group that it was a hard and painful lesson but today she now knows that she is worth caring for and loving. If you are, then, you must break free of your tendency to take care of stop being an emotional rescuer because you will never get a chance to live your life.
When you start saying, “No” and setting boundaries with other people, you are able to pursue your own life. Many times we eat because we’re frustrated thinking that we can’t, won’t or don’t have what it takes to do something that we love. Too many of us, busy women think that life is too short and it’s a waste of time to do something for ourselves. Now without fail, each week Mary sets aside time for herself to do things that make her feel good. She gets a massage, a pedicure and a manicure. She also takes classes and goes out to lunch with friends. Mary learned a very wise lesson. She stopped being an emotional rescuer. How about you? Are you an emotional rescuer? If so, what are you willing to do to make it clear to yourself and others that your needs are important too?
And to learn more about how to slim down without dieting, yummy up your life, end emotional eating, make peace with food and friends with your body go to http://www.thejuicywoman.com and I'll teach you how to be curvy and confident at any size
From Andrea Amador - The Juicy Woman
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