Hello My Friends,
As a recovered body hater, binge eater, and yo-yo dieter I want to invite you to experiment with three simple (but not necessarily easy) ways to start befriending your body now:
Change your Focus– If the first thing you do when you look in the mirror is criticize yourself, make an effort to say something nice instead. Are you having a good hair day? Do you like your radiant smile? What about your eyes? Do you like the shape, color, or the fact that they allow you to see the world. There is so much to love about our bodies. Take a moment to appreciate your body everyday. When you spend more time sending love and appreciation to your body the critical thoughts get quieter and quieter.
Stop Dieting– Weight Loss diets keep you at war with yourself. They keep you waiting until you lose weight to form a better relationship with yourself. Would you ever say to someone “we can become friends after you lose 20 pounds?” Of course not. So why wait to show yourself some love and appreciation. BTW- even if you are not on an official diet…if you spend your time counting calories, jumping on the scale everyday, or eat “fat free cheese” (which tastes more like plastic than food), you are stuck in a dieting mentality. Giving up the “diet” food and thoughts will pave the way to body love.
Check in with yourself– We check in with our friends and family, we even ask strangers how they are doing….but how often do you ask yourself how you are feeling? Your body is talking to you all the time, it is your turn to listen. If you are tired or sick, do you make it a priority to get more rest or do you push yourself harder? What would you say to a friend if they were run down? Practice talking to yourself the same way.
As you build your ability to listen to yourself, you will naturally make healthier, loving choices. You will know your body is worthy of love and respect.
I know I said these steps are simple, but remember simple does not mean easy. All of these ideas involve a mindset shift. It takes time and dedication to make longterm change especially if you have been struggling with body image and/or weight issues for years.
Be patient with yourself and keep listening to your beautiful body.
With love and support- Michelle
