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Our mission is to help women change the way
they feel about the body they have
Learning to Love Your Body:
The concept of the book, LOVE YOUR BODY: Change
the Way You Feel About the Body You Have, is to help guide you toward a
better relationship with your body and improve body image. To create a more
positive body image, you need to treat your body with the utmost respect and
kindness everyday. Your body deserves to be treated well. As you become consistent with
treating your body in a gentle & loving manner, you will notice a difference
in how you feel about yourself.
Utilize 11 ways to learn to love your body to transform
your body image:
- Don't Compare. When we compare
ourselves to others we always lose. The realities of our looks and theirs
don't even matter. When we look at others, we see how perfect they are.
When we look at ourselves, we see how imperfect we are. We feel we can
never measure up, no matter what. Society makes matters worse by
worshipping an elusive fantasy body that only a few women on earth could
ever naturally attain. By avoiding comparisons to others, we save
ourselves lots of grief and can work toward making the body God gave us
the best it can be.
- Focus on Your Accomplishments. Instead of
nit-picking your body, try focusing on your positive traits. Are you
loving, kind, and considerate? Do you visit your grandmother regularly? Do
you get good grades? Are you a wonderful mother and/or spouse? Are you
known for the fun parties you throw? Can you draw? We all have talents and
attributes that make us wonderful human beings. So what if your thighs
aren't pencil thin. You make a difference in the world, and that's what
really matters!
- Learn to Take a Compliment. Many of us
dream of the perfect look. We want to be beautiful, to have others stop
and notice us. Yet, when someone gives us a compliment such as, "You
look great in that dress," we say something like, "This old
thing!" The very thing we are looking for -- recognition -- we brush
off. Practice saying "thank you" when someone gives you a
compliment. Don't over analyze it, or judge the giver, or make light of
it; instead let it soak in and allow yourself to feel really good.
- Self-Talk. Listen to the chatter that goes
on in your head. Are you saying nice things to yourself? Are you being
complimentary of your body? Are you using words of encouragement? Chances
are you answered "No" to these questions. Many of us go around
with a negative tape recorder playing in our head all day. When we stop
and listen, we hear things like "Why did you do that? You are so
stupid!"; or "I can't believe you actually said that; it sounded
so dumb!" Replace these negative thoughts with praise, such as,
"What a good idea; that was a good way of handling the
situation"; or "That was a real accomplishment; I'm so
proud!" By shifting from words of criticism to words of praise, you
begin to change your life.
- Affirmations. Along with self-talk, giving
yourself positive affirmations is a powerful way to change the way you
feel about your body. Find a part of your body that you like and accept,
even if it's your eyes, hair or smile. Write an affirmation about it. For
instance, "I love the way my hair shines," or "I love the
way my eyes sparkle." Look at yourself in the mirror every morning
and repeat your affirmations to yourself. Say them with enthusiasm.
Believe it! Even if you have to "fake it till you make it."
After a few weeks of doing this, you will come to believe and know that
what you are saying is true. Then move on to another body part. Even
though giving yourself compliments may become progressively more
difficult, continue through until you LOVE YOUR BODY!
- Learn to Compliment Others. In learning to
compliment others, you learn the law of reciprocity. As you give, you do
receive. By learning to acknowledge the good in others, you can learn to
notice the good in yourself. Remember, to be loved, give love. To be
accepting of your body, be accepting of others' bodies.
- Focus on the Positives. Hating the
body can become a bad habit. All our negative feelings are instantly
transferred to the body. Instead of dealing with the problems that create
the negative feelings, we just shove those feelings deep inside our body
and end up hating it more and more. Learning to focus on the positives
gives you a whole different perspective. It allows you to see the world
half-full instead of half-empty. Focus on the good in your life. Admire
the beauty of a sunset, walk along the water, stop and smell the roses.
Begin to focus on your body. See the good in it. It gets you where you are
going. It is a faithful companion. By focusing on the positive we begin to
heal our negative body image.
- Stop Fantasy Thinking. Do you ever
hear yourself saying, "If I'd just lose 10 pounds I'd be happy,"
or "If I had thinner thighs I'd be asked out more." Stop those
thoughts now! That is fantasy thinking. The truth is that there is room
for all shapes and sizes in this world. People are attracted to others for
a variety of reasons. Yes, sometimes attraction has to do with body, but
that might be a smile or overall appearance. Others are attracted to
another based on the energy they give off or their laugh or because they
are funny. Your body is not the reason you are miserable. You were
miserable first and took it out on your body. Get on with your life. Be
loving, and you will attract loving people.
- Heal Your Relationship with Food. If you
are afraid of food, you will always be afraid of what it might do to your
body. Will you become huge? Will you start eating and never stop? Will you
go hungry? Be Stuffed? Explode? To heal your relationship with food, start
by selecting a food to eat which is slightly out of your safe zone. One
that is only a bit challenging. Sit in a quiet room and take a few deep
breaths. Now eat that food. Stop any negative thoughts that enter your
mind. Replace those thoughts with positive ones. Say your affirmations.
Learn to enjoy the taste of food.
- Body Movement. The body was designed to
move. To walk or run or jump or dance are normal activities. By
reconnecting yourself to your body, you might be amazed at how incredible
it really is. Yoga is a great way to reconnect with your body. It is a
noncompetitive, gentle stretching program that will relax you and make
your body feel wonderful. If you do not want a structured program and hate
the gym, go for a walk. A walk in nature is especially comforting, and
nature is nonjudgmental. Experience how your body feels on your walks. Be
aware of your breathing. Do not force yourself to exercise; allow yourself
the opportunity to move.
- Support. The struggle to heal your negative
body-image is an ongoing battle. It is often wise to seek the professional
help of a therapist and a dietitian. There are self-help groups available
at no charge as well. Many books and articles have been written on the
subjects of food and body. There are seminars available as well as church
and temple groups. Talk to a trusted friend or relative. All of us need
support. We are constantly barraged with messages about the fantasy body.
We are given negative messages about food and weight. It is extremely hard
in our culture to have a healthy, positive body-image. You need support.
You deserve it!
Now Available!
LOVE
YOUR BODY: Change the Way You Feel About
the Body You Have
(Second
Edition)
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