Year Two, Day 65: Parenting My Stomach

I rode my bike all over SE Portland yesterday.

15.16 miles round trip. Roar!

I even went over a mountain. Well part of Mt Tabor, which is really more like a big hill. With a road. But still. Mountain!

When I reached the other side of the mountain my son-in-law called with good news. The little boy who was hitt by a car on our street has been released from the hospital with no serious injuries.

Thank you God. Happy ending for that family and a big wakeup call for our neighborhood filled with children running on the street...

Speaking of waking up: I have been waking up in the middle of the night with hunger pangs. Growling tummy and all! Quite disturbing. I try to ignore it. Toss and turn. Breathe deeply. Drink water. Imagine the growling is burning fat.

But to my dismay, I have not lost an ounce of weight in weeks. In fact I am heavier. Grrrr.

I became quite angry with my stomach. Spoke to it sternly: "You are not hungry. And you are not the boss of me"!

But really, my stomach has become the boss of me. And I have been like a bad parent
Getting angry. Screaming. But ultimately giving in to her complaining and whining!

Wait a minute!

Light bulb moment!

My stomach is like a toddler!

I need to be a good parent. Loving, but firm. I need to set boundaries!

You may think I am crazy, but visualizing works wonders for me. Much better than rationalizing.

I am visualizing my stomach as a toddler in a full blown tantrum!

My new plan, starting now is to love my stomach. Treat it with kindness and respect, but not give in to its tantrums.

I do believe I am onto something here!!

Happy Wednesday from Zita and her stomach!

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Soul Runnings

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