Jack Sh*t Exposed

Welcome to "Same Old Sh*t" Saturday, where I drag out and dust off something from my archives (man, there's a lot of sh*t in there now). Seeing as this week is the one-year anniversary of Michelle at Eating Journey's "Exposed" movement, I thought it only fitting to showcase my own contribution to that series. Brace yourself...


























Note: Here's the really scary part. I checked the date on that "before" photo and it the middle of May, or roughly a month (and 20 lbs or so down) into my journey. I didn't have the guts to take one earlier... well... that was a poor choice of words...

Expose Yourself

We all… each of us… have a comfort zone.

We think it’s where we’re safe, but the truth of the matter is that it’s our favorite hiding spot.

It’s where we retreat to when the going gets tough, where we fall back to when we feel most threatened.

I guess that what makes Michelle at Eating Journey’s “Exposed” series so incredibly remarkable to me:  it asks folks not just to peek their heads out the door of their own personal hidey-holes, but to tear down the walls all around them.

A healthy percentage of weight-loss bloggers can’t (or won’t) show themselves on their sites. Some can’t even bring themselves to put their weight on their blog.

I wouldn’t show my ugly mug for the longest time, so I understand the pressure that keeps some wanting to stay completely anonymous.

But here’s what I’d say to you:  come out and play.

Blur your face if you feel you must, but take that next step and put a picture on your struggle.

It’ll help readers more solidly connect to your story, add a whole new level of accountability and show yourself (and the world) that you have nothing to hide.

A year ago, Michelle bared herself in a most unique way and started a movement of fellow weight-loss warriors showing off their mistakes and their muscles, their scars and their successes.

If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to follow her lead.



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Switcheroo

Because I like to keep you guessing, I'm pulling the old blog-and-switch today. That's right, I'm swapping places with Michelle from Eating Journey and she's returning the favor here on JSGF.

When Michelle first "exposed herself" on her site, I remember thinking what a bold and brave statement she had made. When others stepped up to the plate and started showing some pride for their own well-earned scars and well-worn bodies, I began thinking there was something kinda powerful in the works, something poignant in the wind. Anyway, I asked her to come give you a little more insight into the background of this phenomenon while I do my daily jibber-jabber over at her place.

Exposing Myself

Hey there Jack Sh*ters -- I, Mish from Eating Journey, am honoured to be discussing the Exposed Movement with you here.

Jack Sh*t is where I constantly go to for inspiration, laughs, insight, and modified song lyrics :) He, me and many others have been on a weight-loss journey. I have lost over 100lbs and at one point was 30lbs lighter than I currently am. In 2009 I saw the scale creep back up and my self-confidence plummet.

I hated the way that I looked.

Then I started thinking, this is sh*t and I don't want to feel this way about myself anymore. That's when I posted this picture and called it Exposed.



It was meant for me, my little following, but more importantly as a symbolic beginning of loving the body that I had spent a year hating. Then people all over the blog world... and I quite literally mean the world... asked if they could be a part of it.

If they to could expose themselves.

There are now 30 people who have Exposed themselves in all different ways. All with stories of what their bodies have done for them. What they love about their bodies. How their bodies have given to others.
When people ask: How do I do this? I respond with: Take a picture of your body and either write on it or write below it--share your story

We live in a world where perfection isn't real. Where the unattainable is robbing us of the true beauty and power that our bodies give us each and everyday. When I look back at the night when I pressed 'publish' (sweating, shaking and thinking 'should i delete it') I am thankful that I finally gave my body the praise it deserved.

When people ask: What do you want the Exposed Movement to become? I respond with: A place where people find a place in their own personal journey to perhaps love a little more on themselves, to open up to their partner by becoming more open and loving with their body. Where negative self-talk is turned down and those little phrases are quieted in little kid's minds. Where someone... if they feel so inclined... exposes themselves.

I don't care how many people expose themselves. The current 30, maybe 100, maybe 1,000. All I care about is that one person walks away with the chains of negative self-talk, body image, binging being broken down.

May you find a little more love for what your body is, what it does and what it's done for you. It's a grassroots movement where the stories of those who have exposed themselves are testaments of immense strength, vulnerability and healing.