How are you present in your body

I've been doing a lot of reflection lately on two topics:

1. How time is the most precious resource we have
2. The mind-body connection

Part of this thinking has been around taking care of my own wellbeing and health. My doctor prescribed one of the weight loss drugs for me (Zepbound specifically) to use if I want to do so. I've battled my weight since I was eight years old. My school picture in 2nd grade and my school picture in 3rd grade don't even look like the same kid. As such, I've spent decades in a complex relationship with my body.

Like so many things in my life, I've treated my body through this cycle of control > failure > shame > control and on and on. I've realized of late that I've become a project manager of my body instead of a resident in it. I treated aches and pains like problems rather than signals. If a friend texted me than her hip was hurting, I'd suggest she stretch or grab an ibuprofen. And, yet, when my own body expressed pain, I just tried to shush it up and move forward because we had things to do!

So, as I'm trying to decide if the drugs really are the only way for me to lose weight, I've been trying to be present for my body much more and listen to what it needs and wants. And, what I've realized is, I'm not good at it. This is a skill set that I've never taken the time to develop and to learn how to feel good in my body - regardless of the size I am. I've always felt the size and not felt the actual feelings of the body itself.

I haven't decided what to do about the drugs at this point, but I am trying to listen better to my body and treat it more like a friend than a project to be completed.

If you've got tips or tricks, I'd love to hear them. Hit reply if you're reading this in email. If you'd prefer to join a community conversation, head on over to Circle using the Let's Chat button below.

Some Other Things You Might Find Interesting

Hello March!

If you've been around here for the last two years, I've done a monthly check in the first week of each month. I'm going to keep doing those, yet in miniature. A theme so far this year is bookends. February and March both have travel as bookends. In February we enjoyed a cruise on the new Disney Destiny. Unfortunately, both Gayle and I came home with terrible colds. The after effects are still lingering for both of us. I ended February in a crazy whirlwind trip to Tampa, Florida for a one day client event. I'm starting March in Portland, Oregon for work and will end the month down under in Australia for two weeks with my sister Susie and her son/my nephew Andrew. Lots of exciting adventures are planned. Follow me on social media (probably Instagram and Facebook specifically) if you want to keep up with those adventures.

What's Coming Up?

March 2026 Financial Date - Budget With Me & YNAB Office Hours

March 16, 2026 09:00 (Eastern Time (US & Canada))

Do you want to get a better handle on your finances? If so, join me for a free one hour workshop to talk all things money. This is a great time to hold your own financial date with yourself (which I talk about in the Facts of Life Book Course). Get financial questions answered, see software tools like YNAB in action, or just chat about money. This is a judgment free zone so come with your questions. 

March 16, 2026 Obsidian Office Hours

March 16, 2026 16:00 (Eastern Time (US & Canada))

Join us for the bi-weekly Obsidian Office Hours Session. Office Hours are a time to ask questions about Obsidian. If you have a question, reply to the event with your questions - or attend live and you can get your question answered in the session.  When appropriate, office hours sessions will be recorded and the recording posted here. 

Starfleet Academy

I know enough about both the Star Trek and Star Wars universes to (usually) enjoy watching a new series in the respective universe to see if it's right for me. We just finished binge watching Season 1 of Starfleet Academy - and what a true delight!? While many references in the show are beyond me, it was still a very pleasurable series of episodes. As with all modern shows, it was a short 8 episodes, but I grew to love the characters and really enjoyed meeting some new to me actors who portrayed those characters. It is getting a 2nd Season with filming already done so we should see it sometime in 2027.

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