A+ Plan July 2009 Newsletter - Only Judge Yourself, and Be The Best You Can Be

June was a month full of rain and judgements, and I'm not sure which I saw more of. From judgements about the way people look to judgements about whether a person is smart or strong enough to achieve their goals, judgement is harsh and hurtful.

I myself have experienced judgement on several occasions over the past month. It reminds me of how we judge celebrities and their bodies when they're wearing bathing suits on the beach. You RARELY hear someone say, "She looks great!" It's either, "She's too skinny" or "She could stand to lose a few pounds." Men go through this too, but I think women judge one another far more harshly.

I try not to take things personally, but after weeks of hearing how I'm too skinny now or that I should go eat some sugar, I started eating some "bad" foods so I would gain a few pounds. But then I had a revelation. At one point my backside was too big according to some people, and now it's too small. Stop staring at my behind and start looking inside (wink wink)! I am a small-boned woman who eats healthy. Why should I start eating some unhealthy foods to be the perfect weight or size for other people? Why should I feel lethargic and hurt my body so I gain weight instead of being healthy, energetic and happy? 5 pounds up or 5 pounds down, it's about feeling good in your skin and being true to yourself, because after all, there is no "perfect."

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Amanda Winters
Health, fashion and lifestyle consulting