What happens when you cross the Rubicon

Thanks so much to the beautiful River Goddess who provided this overview of her experience of completing the Rubicon Project with Real Food Real You recently.

Yes, I cried when I read it. 

K xxxx

I participated in the Body Lovin’ Workshop earlier this year and that was my introduction to working with Real Food Real You.  It was a massive day and before that I have realized that I had NOTHING good to say about my body.  Like NOTHING. Not one kind word to say about myself.  I still think about what happened on that day – the negative feelings I had towards my body were so intense it gives me shivers just thinking about it now.

I then crossed the river with Kate and the other River Goddesses on the Rubicon Project.  I thought I didn’t have an issue with food and I was proud of myself for not being the type of person who went on diets although I had dabbled in a few every now and again previously.  However, what I have now realized I was not restricting what I ate and then I overindulged and ate until I was way too full.  I ate when I was thirsty, I ate when I was not hungry.  And I would overeat too.  I didn’t have any boundaries around food.  Now I do, and it feels SO FREEING!

I have learnt so much about myself – not only around my body and food. I can feel positive changes in my relationships with my husband, my family and even my work colleagues.

The biggest shift for me was SELF TALK – I now speak to myself with kindness and I don’t judge myself like I used to.  That means that I don’t assume that people are judging me and I don’t judge others.  I used to say things to myself like “Look at that woman who is so thin.  She must be so happy!” or “Look at that overweight person.  Poor man!”.  Now I know the truth – size really is JUST A NUMBER.  I totally believe that now.

It has been the small changes I have made around listening to my body that I notice now.  For instance, I used to put artificial sweetener in my coffee – now I just use real sugar.  Then, guess what? I discovered that I didn’t really need as much sugar in my coffee as I thought I did. So now I put in half a teaspoon and my coffee tastes GOOD and I enjoy it so much more.

I also learnt that I used to keep eating even though I was full.  Now I stop when I’m satisfied.  It feels so good that I’m treating my body so well.  It feels so much better than being on a diet, even though I follow the Rubicon Guidelines which means I’m not denying myself things.

An unexpected bonus of the Rubicon Project was the weekly Q&A video link ups. At first I was unsure whether I would participate but after the first week there was no way I was going to miss out on any of those link ups!  The support in the group was invaluable.  My buddy in the Rubicon is such a beautiful soul.  We have a wonderful connection and have so much in common.  She would give me gentle reminders when I needed it because she really understood where I was at.  I really feel that was one of the best parts of the Rubicon.  So what was I afraid of?!  If I had chosen not to show up, I would have missed meeting one of the nicest, most amazing women!

It’s safe to say that the Rubicon Project sat very well with me, my personal beliefs and values.  It made me look deeper at things that I had been ignoring or not giving enough attention to.

I have also really enjoyed being mentored and coached by Kate.  She is very authentic and natural.  I love that she will not tell you what you want to hear. Sometimes the truth can be hard to admit to, or even really know what the real truth behind a problem was.  Kate has truly mastered the art of listening and questioning.  It was easy for me to open up to her and share my feelings.  I learnt so much from her about listening to my body and being kind to myself.

When I think about why I wouldn’t have previously have signed up to something like the Rubicon Project, I will admit that I was worried about the cost, how much time it would take up, and that all the stuff that Kate talks about is just “common sense”.  Now I realise that the Rubicon Project was perfect for me because it gave me the space to focus on myself.  Yes, some of the things in the Rubicon were common sense, but I have learnt a lot of things about myself that I don’t think I would have learnt otherwise.  I spent so much time thinking “I’m fat and ugly” I didn’t have the space to think about anything else.

I would say to anyone considering signing up for the Rubicon that:
YES it is hard, it is raw, it is confronting and you have to be totally honest. If you are not ready to face any of those things, and really show up, then don’t sign up.  You have to be willing to change.

The brain chatter in my head has stopped and it has allowed me to see my life from a more positive and engaging point of view.  At the end of the six weeks, I realised that the Rubicon Project will never end for me, I can do this every day for the rest of my life.  And that feels AMAZING!