In my quest toward living in authenticity, I had a stark realization the other day. The image I project online is not always an authentic one.
A former co-worker reached out the other day via email. It was great to hear from her, but the first sentence of her email made me think…and think…and think.
Hi El, Sounds like all is going well in your life based on your Facebook posts.
Wait, what?
[Sigh.]
Actually, everything is not going well. I fell off the wagon with my healthy eating and exercise goals. I’ve put six pounds back on, five and a half right around my middle, I’m sure! (Why does the weight always come and go from there, first?)
I’m still pretty good about keeping added sugar to a minimum, but not as strict as I was earlier in the year. I’m definitely not eating as much protein and fiber as I was then and probably eating a little too much salt. When I’m busy with work, food somehow shows up to help manage stress. Then, vacation wreaked havoc with the good habits I developed – or maybe they hadn’t actually become habits yet – and I haven’t recovered since!
I was also in a great groove when it came to walking. I committed to at least 30 minutes a day and often exceeded it. But, then I got sick, really sick, for a couple of weeks. The walking slipped off the priority list and hasn’t found its way back.
As my old habits resurfaced and a couple pounds came back, I got frustrated and stopped tracking my food. Tracking helped me see the sugar, protein, fiber, sodium and calories I was taking in each day. It was the key to success years ago when I did WeightWatchers and more recently on the RealAppeal program. But, I haven’t tracked in four weeks.
AAUUGH!
However, if all you see is my photos and posts on Facebook, it does look like all is well. Great, in fact! Enjoyable work. Lake cottage living. Vacation photos. Happy times with the hubby, kids and grandkids.
Don’t get me wrong; my life is really good. I know it. But it is not perfect. It is not all going well. My eating habits, my failure to exercise and my weight has been a lifelong struggle. On the other hand, if I want to continue #AgingWell, I need to keep up the fight. There are, potentially, serious health consequences.
And, if I’m going to live in authenticity, I need to be honest about my challenges.
Authenticity does not mean perfection. It means truthfulness, genuineness, being real. If I’m going to be part of an online community, then it needs to be the real me, not some image of me from behind my laptop screen. Maybe acknowledging this will help me accept my imperfections and get back on the healthy living track. That 60th birthday is getting closer and closer!
What about you? Does your online image match your authentic self?
PS: I’m going to track my food today. That’s a good way to start fresh.
