Today, I want to share with you the thing that all the other weight loss approaches miss.

It’s the thing we all need as much as air and water.

It’s the thing that creates confidence.

It’s the thing that determines whether we maintain a healthy weight, or not.

Once you get this, I mean really get it, you’ll be unshakable.

As in, effortlessly happy. Content all the way to your soul. At peace with the world, and with your body.

It’s the missing piece.

Before I tell you what it is, I’d like to share an email I received.

Do you remember the first Touchstone Training? I asked you to channel your inner “why-kid” and discover the deeper reasons you want to lose weight.

One of our More Heart, Less Body members used that exercise as a journaling prompt.

It led her down a beautiful road of self-discovery…

"What is my REAL why?

I’ve said it’s to ‘get this monkey off my back, the monkey I’ve carried around my whole life, the monkey about being fat.’ 

But what’s my REAL why, what’s the reason underneath the reason? 

I’m tired of being ashamed of my looks. I’m tired of being embarrassed of the big boobs, the tummy tire, the chin roll. I’m tired of wearing tight and uncomfortable clothing because, once again, I've gained weight. 

But why?

I don’t like feeling ‘less than others’ because I’m overweight. But why? Because I want to feel accepted around other people. 

But why? 

Because, ultimately, I want to fit in and belong.

BINGO!

It all goes back to belonging...because I so seldom have ever really felt that I belong... anywhere.”

This is a really powerful discovery.

The need to belong speaks to us from the deepest core of our being. It guides our behaviors. It plays out in every aspect of our lives.

She goes on…

“If you want to be accepted... start with accepting yourself.

What others think about you is not important once you are okay with yourself, accepting and loving of yourself.

Where does that start?

It starts with not criticizing.

It starts with not comparing.

It starts with not complaining.

It starts with not trying to change what you look like... because your looks aren’t the real YOU.

It starts with being appreciative and grateful for this body that God has assigned to you, to be a good steward, a good partner to it in your one and only amazing life.

Be grateful. Be a good steward…

The rest will fall in place, exactly where it’s supposed to be, exactly where it’s meant to be.”

I couldn’t agree more.

That thing I mentioned at the beginning of this email? She gets it.

At the heart of our desire to lose weight is a deep yearning for something else…

Unconditional love.

* * * * *

The most important thing

If I could give you just one gift from these Touchstone Trainings, something you could carry with you from here on out, I want it to be this:

You are magnificent. Just the way you are.

You don’t have to lose a pound to be worthy of love and belonging.

You don’t have to put out, or get out, or shout out to be worthy of love and belonging.

You don’t have to be polite, smart, funny, or happy. You don’t have to be healthy, wealthy, pleasant, or pretty...

... to be worthy of love and belonging.

You be you. Just as you are. That’s enough.

Love,