02/27/2025
Ever see a picture of yourself and think "Oh my gosh, that's how I look?"
I have mild body dysmorphia and usually have no idea what I actually look like until I see myself captured on film. This pic was taken yesterday while visiting my mom with the bunny. The person I see here doesn't match the self-talk I had earlier while getting dressed. This time I *felt* bigger than I am. In the past the total opposite could happen, and I'd get surprised when I see a photo where I *felt* fine but was very puffy and/or red with inflammation. It's wild.
This is part of why I couldn't make progress and maintain it. I've spent years being alternately too hard on myself without cause and too permissive with terrible habits. I didn't have a North Star to aim for and would just drift, treading water and feeling out of control.
I've decided to start describing people I'd like to work with in both my chiropractic office and in my weight management coaching and focusing on supporting as many people as I can by speaking about who they are and what I love about working with them. Today, since this is top-of-mind, I'm focusing on people who need ways to judge their progress without relying on just one thing like a scale. There are plenty of non-scale victories we can have that are just as important as what number we see when we look down, things like energy levels, mobility, and mood among others.
One client had my favorite goal ever...she sews her own costumes and had a vampy GORGEOUS dress she's wanted to make for years but didn't want to go through the trouble and expense to not look the way SHE wanted to look in it. Her victory was being able to set her dress model to her specifications once she felt like she was in a place where she wanted to stay. She has reached her physical goals for size but more importantly is also feeling strong and having the energy to do stage combat without batting an eye. That's not where we started. I don't think she stepped on a scale once this whole time.
I love that, and I love the opportunity to be creative with people to reach goals and to keep their progress. I know when I see photos of myself now, although I still feel surprised sometimes, I like what I see and I'm reminded the best move I made was choosing ME two years ago. I want everybody to have the chance to have that too.
- Dr. Sahfi