This is actually part 3 of It’s NOT All About Willpower (and you can read Part 2 here).
I truly believe that as we “hang onto” things, our bodies may well “hang onto” inflammation or fat as well. Now, had you told me that a few years ago, I probably wouldn’t have believed you! But having experienced it, I now recognize that we cannot just deal with the physical and ignore the emotional or spiritual. Nor can we deal with only the emotional and forget the physical. Often we start out “to lose weight” or maybe we decide to deal with the emotional side of things through counseling–but I’m learning we need to slowly, with baby steps, add in elements from the other two “legs” for wholeness.
I have heard that our bodies store stress, especially from a trauma, to deal with it when the stress passes. The problem in our modern age is–we never stop! From scary movies to scary news from the doctor, from inconsiderate drivers nearly causing you an accident to rude sales clerks, stress seems to fill our lives. If we don’t process it and let it go, it can literally eat at us–or cause our bodies to store toxins along with toxic thoughts and fat along with fear!
I just experienced this again, but in a different way a few weeks ago. I decided to mentor for Hit the Floor so I could certify (hopefully!) this fall. But it seemed like things kept coming up for me to keep me from getting my first video done for my mentor. Sometimes it was legitimate things, but other times I just found myself too busy or wasting time…. Then one Sunday our pastor preached on fear, and later that day my husband found a fact about people bitten by snakes, who didn’t have enough venom to kill them, yet they died—from the fear!
Fear lowers our immunity, paralyzes us, raises blood pressure and heartrate–yes, I could believe that it would lower the immunity enough to cause a less “dangerous” infection to actually cause death or at least do more damage than it “should”. As I pondered this information, I suddenly realized that I had fear–fear was paralyzing me and keeping me from getting my video done!
The fear stemmed from my prior miscarriage history, and although I knew perfectly well that none of my miscarriages were caused by doing anything strenuous (mine were hormonally related), that “fear” of doing too much was there. And it was paralyzing me, even though I was not even pregnant!
It was truly amazing to face this head on, and now I am excited to get that video done! In fact, I was so disappointed because I lost my voice a few weeks ago and it’s taken me this long to get it back enough to do the video! I am ready and looking forward to tackle this! YEAH!
It’s time to face the fear head on–and not let past hurts, frightening events, difficult situations (or people) paralyze you from what you were created to be.
For me, fitness has become more than just physical fitness–more wholeness–body, soul and spirit!
Have you found that fear has kept you from reaching a goal, paralyzed you from starting or maintaining good habits? You’re not alone! Let’s focus on wholeness and watch the fears–and eventually, the fat!–melt away so the real you inside can be FREE!
YES! It’s amazing how fear can grip physically. I have long been allergic to corn pollen, but this past year, I developed a food allergy to corn as well. Living out in the country in Indiana, I’m faced with corn fields all around me. Even when I’m driving in the car, windows rolled up, AC on, when I drive past a corn field, I feel my throat tighten, just like it did when I was going into anaphylaxsis.
The only time I loved my body was when I was pregnant. I could pat my tummy and know I was doing something good there. I could look at my burgeoning bust and know that much good would come from them. I was heartbroken when I learned we couldn’t have any more children, and I think my body has hung on to that pregnant/nursing look because of that.
I look forward in the coming months to being able to address the emotional issues and let go of this body.
I would agree with you, Anni! I know for awhile I had asthma like symptoms, but then I realized it was fear. I had never had anything remotely connected to asthma in my life! But when I dealt with the fear, all those symptoms went away! So of course if you have had a true allergy, and remember the feelings from it, it will be more easily triggered.
HUGS to you on not being able to have more children. That is so hard! I am so grateful for my 9, but I always hoped maybe there would be one more. Guess there still could be! But I have had to rest in that area just as much as when I would get pregnant and then have to rest in Him due to the miscarriage issues. Fear creeps in in many ways! :p
I will keep you in my prayers as you deal with the emotional issues so you can be free!
~Trisch
Our minds are so amazing, and control our bodies in ways we just don’t understand. Frustrating, but true. Very small example: Last night we went on a little cruise to watch fireworks–just offshore, and eat a meal, then watch from the water. Sounded wonderfully fun when my husband surprised me with tickets, but when I walked onto the boat, I suddenly thought, “I am on a boat. The last time I was on a boat, I got seasick. What if that happens tonight? He went to all the trouble to do this for me, and that would totally ruin it. Oh, no.” And I promptly began to feel queasy. And it got worse. I started feeling really anxious. A few minutes later, I realized that was completely ridiculous. The boat was still AT THE DOCK, and Lake Michigan was still as glass–there wasn’t a breath of air moving. There wasn’t even any motion to be sick from!! And then it hit me–I was talking myself INTO being sick!
I prayed for God to deliver me from those silly fears, and did it again every time the thought popped up, and I was fine all evening. Amazing how our fears can cause physical symptoms! Nice post.
And by the way, I LOVE the blue morpho! 🙂
That is amazing, Ronda! And so true! I have done that with having asthma-like symptoms–all from fear! And I have never even had asthma! :p
I’m glad you were able to recognize it and enjoy your evening!
And that is a striking blue, isn’t it?!
HUGS!
~Trisch