Exceeding and pushing... Am I the only one here who sets boundaries?

I don't really care for good resolutions, especially those made at the start of a new year, which usually die a quiet death after just two weeks. I think the word 'intention' conveys too little decisiveness.
That you plan to do something, but never actually start it. Yes, I am a 'you either do it or you don't do it' kind of person...
Last year there were also 'things I would never really start'. And I was more careful not to plan anything in that direction. So long live the free Yvonne! Not knowing that I would maneuver myself into a situation that would lead to my first resolution: "Never again!"

And so it happened that sometime in 2016, in the midst of my now slightly more familiar NOK group, I heard that I too had to push a boundary and was given the command: you will come with me to the sauna. And I really mean sauna! Not that weekly 'you can keep your bathing suit' ladies' hour on Thursday afternoon between half past two and three o'clock at an extra affordable rate. No, I mean the full monty, walking around in your birthday suit (with no fig leaf), among a bunch of naked people I don't know (or at least that's what you're hoping for, in a moment like that). And that with my figure? My horror was great when there were people in my NOK group who shouted things like 'great', 'yes nice' and 'wonderful, right?'. Was I the only one here who set boundaries?
Yes really, some people don't care. So the other day I ran into 'that guy' again who shamelessly goes on about his way-too-young girlfriend (yes, I have an opinion about that) and laughs it off, shouting 'well, at least I've still got hair,' whenever someone points out the rapidly spreading shiny flesh-cap on top of his head, meanwhile there are also men out there dropping a fortune on magic-formula shampoos or even hair transplants 'Are you going left or right, is it butter or margarine? People will always have a opinion about it', is his firm belief, and he puts it aside very easily. And I understand that because then you don't have to do anything with it (again)…

Well, it seems I don't let things go so easily. I notice this as I'm about to step into the sauna, and the weight in my shoes hasn't stayed behind in the locker room, but has instead settled between the toes of my far-too-bare feet. Apparently the doubt (well, let's say fear) is clearly visible in my attitude because my beloved NOK fellow sufferers come to my aid. “We are much bigger than you,” they smile, “just come stand between us, then they won't see you.”
And that brings me to the point, I didn't want to be seen, at least not without clothes. Afraid of the judgment of others, I had locked myself in self-imposed boundaries. So that I wouldn't have to see the (potential) judgment of others on myself. What do you mean long live free Yvonne? I first had to turn 49, and needed other people to make me realise it. Hence my resolution: Not seeing myself? Never again!

You impose boundaries on yourself. And even if you stay inside those boundaries, people will have an opinion about it. If you cross your boundaries, people will have an opinion about it. That's never going to change. What will change is how you view the world. At least, if you dare to go beyond your limits every now and then. Because the fact that I crossed the hurdle by entering that sauna meant that I was able to push my boundaries. And that has brought me more than just a few extra sauna visits could have. This showed me that I can take better care of myself. I now shamelessly eat small portions of healthy food from a variety of containers in front of my customers. That was quite a big deal for me too, but they are fine with it! Above all, I have learned to see myself and be happy with it. And that is an enormous freedom!
My thanks go to my dear NOK friends (Meikel, Sandra, Carolien, Frank, Ineke and Ellen) and even Maarten, the movement therapist (we had a bit of a false start) and Maartje, the dietician (of which I did not accept everything), family and everyone who assisted me. JB, I could never have even done this without you! Thank you everyone for a sometimes difficult but oh so beautiful 2016! But also thank you in advance for 2017, because this year I can move more easily. Yes, also because I have lost weight, but mainly because I have been given more space within my own boundaries. And that I know that it is now easier to push the limits every now and then...

Do you also have something with boundaries? Need help pushing the limits? I am happy to help you because that is my profession. But above all, you deserve it!

Yvonne