Take A Deprivation Vacation!

Have you ever found yourself saying “No” to what seems like everything? I believe that large women are prone to perpetually depriving themselves of a lot of the simple pleasures that everyone else takes for granted.

For example, say you’re strolling in a mall and you happen to pass a spa-type place, and they have a special advertising a manicure or pedicure (or both), or a massage, or something equally pampering and luxurious. Some of us are so good at depriving ourselves that we don’t even think twice. Stuff like that isn’t for us, we think. I’ll do that when I’m thin, when I feel like I’ve "earned" it.

Or how about getting your hair done – a cut, highlights or colour, the works. Again, many of us think: Why should I spend money making my hair look great when I don’t like the look of my body? And along the same lines, what if you're in a department store and you pass the cosmetics section and you sample a perfume that you just absolutely fall in love with. Do you buy it for yourself?

Maybe you wake up on a sunny morning, reveling in the sunshine streaming through your windows. You might think to yourself, Today would be a perfect day to take a drive out to some little village in the country, and just spend the day browsing the quaint little shops, and enjoying the peaceful, rural ambience. But you think: No. I’m too busy, I’ve got too much to do. Maybe another time. But that time never seems to come.

How about something as simple as going to see a movie you want to see, or buying a book that really looks interesting to you? Some of us can’t even do that. We tell ourselves it’s a waste of money.

And what about the worst deprivation (in my opinion): depriving ourselves of romance? A lot of us believe that until we lose the weight, we’ll hold off on that. Love isn’t for us. We’ll wait until we look the way we want to look, and then we’ll look for Mr. Right. Then years go by, and we still look the same – or maybe even larger – and we’re even less confident about finding the love we deserve.

One reason I believe that many large people turn to food for pleasure is that very often, it’s the only pleasure we allow ourselves. There is so much more out there, but we cut ourselves off before we even get started.

We women are sensual creatures. We need to surround ourselves with beautiful things. We want to look good, we want to smell good, we love being in the company of people we love and enjoy. It’s what makes life worth living.

Think about a few things you’ve wanted to do for a long time, but put off because you believe that “until” you’re thin, you don’t deserve them. Then do them. You don’t need to be thin to enjoy life. The only “qualification” you need to enjoy life is the breath that comes out of your lungs.

I’ve always wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon. Hmmmm … summer’s coming up, and I’m sure there’s all sorts of hot air balloon ride providers out there. Guess I’ll have to get on the internet and do some research!

So until next time … practice saying yes to what your heart desires. Whether it's something as simple as taking a long, hot bubble bath ... or something as daring as talking to that guy you've had your eye on for the past six months. Get into the habit. Feed your senses, feed your mind, and feel the joy of just being alive.