If you’re like most women you probably spend a lot of time complaining about your weight and body shape. My advice is RELAX. Life is too short… don’t let weight, weigh you down.
It’s not our fault so many of us are at war with our bodies. Society perpetuates female body hatred. It’s all around us. Look at the insane things celebrities do to be thin. Chrissy Teigen, John Legand’s wife, licks the nacho cheese seasoning off of Doritos and puts the chips back in the bag. Jessica Alba squeezed herself into a corset 24/7 for 3 months after giving birth. And let’s not forget the celebs who live on baby food to look red carpet ready. Thank God for Amy Schumer!
Insecurity sells! If we felt fabulous about our bodies we wouldn’t buy Spanx, crash diets (Remember The Cabbage Soup Diet? Yuck!), soul crushing workouts or dangerous, unregulated, quick fix potions that diet-docs and weight loss charlatans try to sell us 24/7 on TV, radio and the internet.
Body hatred is destructive. Disliking your body disconnects you from your physical home and alienates your soul. Negative body image triggers a long list of physical and psychological damage including stress, fatigue, eating disorders and low self-esteem, to mention just a few.
Fortunately, there a number of things you can do right now to combat body hatred and revitalize the relationship between your body and soul. Your body is already beautiful and perfectly amazing. Stop listening to the drum beat of negativity that marketers pound out about your body… so they can take your money!
Here are 5 tips to help bring you body peace:
- Focus on all the amazing things your body does. There are 37.2 trillion cells in your body all working together to keep you alive! As long as you are breathing there’s a lot more right than wrong going on.
- Pamper yourself. Cook a fabulous meal or take yourself out to lunch. Soak in a hot tub. Go for a long walk in the woods. Your body works hard for you. Give it a break!
- STOP your daily dialogue of criticism —”I’m fat!” “Why can’t I lose weight?” “I hate my stomach,” “I’ve got to get thinner,”— and change to the language of kindness. Speak to your body the way you would a loved one. Bodies have feelings too you know.
- Pay attention to the messages your body sends. Eat when you’re hungry. Stop when your 80% full, not stuffed. Rest when you’re tired. Move and stretch when your body starts to feel stiff and tight.
- Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself the way you would a good friend by caring deeply for your body, mind, heart & spirit. When you care deeply for yourself body shame and dissatisfaction withers and body peace blossoms.
Honestly, if you’re looking to slim down the best thing you can do is erase “weight” from your life equation. What we resist persists which means worrying about your weight turns it into a bigger and bigger issue in your life. Let it go. Focus on being healthy and caring for your body, mind, heart and spirit.
Need support to feel better about your body and self? I’ve been working with women on weight and body issues for decades. I’d love to help you. Click HERE to schedule a FREE consult today.
Known as The Midlife Whisperer™ Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Registered Dietitian, Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Mindful Self-compassion Teacher, and author.
I have been battling my weight issues all my life. I am 48 now, just a few years older since my metabolism slowed down due to age and meds but I have hated my weight all my life. When I was a teenager I hated being skinny because I thought I was too skinny. I always obsessed over it. I was only happy with my body in my 30s but that happiness seemed to fly on by once I put on 20 lbs that I could not get off in my 40s. I never before had a problem losing weight so I wasn’t used to this. I am a petite framed 5’3 and got up to 170 lbs and could not get it off. I hated fad diets because I couldn’t keep the weight off after losing a few lbs. So I really hated my body more than ever. It was a constant obsession. But when I started focusing on my spiritual work, something I have brought back into my life as a priority, and began to learn to focus on saying nice things to my body and being grateful for all the amazing things that it does for me and allows me to do, I was able to relax a bit. Somehow it became easier for me to change my eating habits moderately and I began to really enjoy my workouts on the treadmill for the exercise itself and not so focused on getting thin fast. The more I practiced spiritual affirmations and kindness to my body, I began to lose weight slowly. I have lost only 15 pounds but that is fine with me. My frame is small and I am heavier still than I think my frame really needs for optimal health but now I am happy with my size. So I’m a little heavy for a petite woman but I feel great and am so grateful that I am eating healthier simply and continuously and not focusing obsessively about how much weight I need to lose.
I love this article for reinforcing the truth about the subject and I love heavier models and am seeing more of them in sales brochures that come in the mail. I believe we can overcome the damage that marketers have done to women if we can learn to be patient and kind to our bodies.
Thank you for posting this!
That’s fantastic. Sounds like you’re totally on the right track. The best thing to do is to stop focusing on the weight because what we resist persists. The more you worry about weight and try to lose it the harder it becomes to actually drop the pounds. Focusing on your spirit and self-love as you eat right is the way to go. Thanks for sharing, Dr. Ellen