sunday headstands

we spent quite a bit of time last night practicing our headstands. 

jeremy covertly filmed this one... so sneaky.

success!!

jeremy getting pretty close.

so close... again.

hooray!

i had a pretty great weekend.

Let's give thanks, Week 1

I just love this beautiful month dedicated to giving thanks.  I don't want to let this season escape me without taking advantage of the focus it gives us.  I am going to post 3 things I am grateful for every week... because posting everyday is exhausting.  Here we go!

#1
I am grateful for Jeremy.  He is a caring soul.  He is smart, determined, and oh so good looking.  I am grateful that he loves me.  I am grateful that he forgives me.  I am grateful that he listens to me.  I am grateful that he does the laundry.  I am grateful that he let's me be me.  I am grateful to have such a stellar person by my side.  I am grateful that he's my best friend. 

#2
I am grateful for my family.  They are hilarious, adventurous, and fiercely loyal.  I am grateful that we love being together.  I am grateful that I feel their love and support consistently even though we live so far away.  I am grateful for their righteous examples.  I am grateful for their encouragement.  I am grateful that they believe in me.  I am grateful for our awesome adventures.

#3
I am grateful for my body.  It is strong, reliable, and resilient. I am grateful that it can move to the beat and listen to the birds.  I am grateful that my body allows me to give hugs, see sunsets, and smell cookies (GF of course).  I am grateful that my body can take me to the top of mountains.  I am grateful for the beautiful instrument that my body is and all that it allows me to do and experience. 

What are you grateful for this week?

mannequin

"Do you think that's realistic?" Jeremy asked me as he was critiquing a mannequin in the store.

The answer we agreed on was, "No, definitely not."  I was such a proud eating disorder clinician in that moment.  The figure had at most a 00 waist along with ample curves, if you know what I mean.  It was just so unrealistic.  Jeremy pointed out how they have to pin the clothes in the back to get them to even fit the mannequins as well.  And people wonder why we are so dissatisfied with our bodies.

We spent the rest of our shopping trip looking at the manniquins and discussing the serious effects they can have on people.  We did find one decent manniquin that looked like it was based on reality rather than ridiculous ideals.  Only one.

I love that Jeremy is starting to notice these things and have discussions with me about them.  It means so much to me. 

Your Body Rocks: Day 5

It's National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

So wear some purple, learn about Eating Disorders, and improve your body image.

The positive body image challenge of the day is...

Do self care.

When you are having a tough body image day, do something you enjoy.  Focus on what helps you feel great, competent, or relaxed.  Take a bubble bath, paint your nails, or draw.  Read, make something, or workout.  Anything you like to do, just for fun, to take care of YOU!

Treat yourself to self care today (and everyday)!

Your Body Rocks: Day 4

It's National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. 

So wear purple, learn about Eating Disorders, and improve your body image. 

The positive body image challenge of the day is...

 Challenge your negative thoughts.

If you find yourself getting into a negative thinking rut about your body (or anything really), start to challenge the thoughts.  Come up with something more balanced, a reframe, a rebuttal.  Even if you don't believe it, it is important to represent both sides and all the gray in between.  This creates room for other possibilities or perspectives.   

It could be helpful to write out the dialogue between the voice of negativity and have a healthy voice respond to it.  For example, if you have the thought, "I am ugly and I hate the way I look," a more balanced thought to respond with could be, "There are things I don't like about my body and there are things I do like," or "There are times when I feel beautiful and comfortable in my skin."  These statements help us achieve a greater balance.

So challenge the negative body talk today (and everyday).

Your Body Rocks: Day 3

It's National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

So wear some purple, learn about Eating Disorders, and improve your body image.

The positive body image challenge of the day is...

Shift your focus from the external to the internal.

Make a list of the people that inspire you, not because of their outward appearance, but because of what they do and who they are.  Why do you admire them?  What qualities do they have?  What makes them stand out to you?  I'm guessing it's not their dress size.

We are made of so much more than our bodies.  We have dreams, passions, and talents.  We have goals, insight, and pure character.  Don't let your negative thinking about your body overpower the parts of you that you are most proud.  What qualities do you have?  What are your passions?  What are goals you striving to achieve?  

Let the answers to these questions be your focus today (and everyday).

Your Body Rocks: Day 2

It's National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

So wear purple, learn about Eating Disorders, and improve your body image.

The positive body image challenge of the day is...

Focus on what your body allows you to do.

The human body is pretty so awesome.  It keeps us moving and grooving and we don't even have to think about it.  When we focus so much on what our body isn't, we lose sight of the miracle it is in the first place.  You have feet that take you places, hands that make things happen, eyes that witness the beauty of the world, and so much more.

Make a list of some of your favorite things to do.  Then add to that list the ways your body allows you to do those things.  Do you like going on nature walks?  Your body allows you to take in the scenery and explore it on foot.  It allows you to breath in the fresh air and listen to the birds, etc, etc, etc.  Whatever you enjoy doing... your body makes it possible, so show it some love.

Appreciate your rocking body today (and everyday)!

Your Body Rocks: Day 1

It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

I will be wearing purple all week, helping others learn a little more about Eating Disorders, and focusing on cultivating a positive body image.  Feel free to join me.  You can learn more about Eating Disorders over here and by checking out this infographic:

And for the positive body image challenge of the day...

 Treat yourself like you would treat your friend.

How would you support your friend if they were struggling with their body image?  You wouldn't tell them that they should take extreme, unhealthy measures to lose weight.  You wouldn't tell them that their worth (or friendship or love) depends on their weight or their waist measurement.  So why is it ok to tell yourself these things?  It's not. We scrutinize, we poke, we grimace, we hate. 

Today is the day to stop! and say to yourself what you would say to your friend.  Remind yourself that you are enough, that your body does incredible things, that food is fuel.  See yourself as your friend, spouse, sibling, or parent sees you.  You deserve kindness, support, and love from everyone, especially yourself.

Treat yourself like a friend today (and everyday).

about time

i have had issues with Barbie for years.  

i think i played with them when i was little for about a month and then i was through.  i would rather play outside with the boys.  then as i studied sociology i became more and more biased against them and the impossible beauty standards they may (or may not) subliminally be establishing for girls world wide.  i mean the girl couldn't even exist in real life with those proportions.  well finally somebody decided to do something about it and he also includes research about body image and eating behavior.  you can get all the deets over here.

Your Body Rocks: Day 5

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

I thought I would join in on the good old blog to promote some self-love around here.  Each day this week I will issue a challenge (ideas from the the NEDA website), something you can do to promote a healthy body image, because I am sure we could all learn to love our bodies a little more.

Challenge #5:

Read an article or watch a video and pass it along.

 

Let's take a stand against media that sends demeaning messages about our bodies.  Let's begin to talk in supportive ways.  Let's help each other increase our body image, self-esteem, and self-worth.  Let's examine our relationships with our bodies, food, and exercise and strive for greater health and balance in all these areas.   Let's not be afraid to talk about it with each other.  Let's learn what healthy eating really is.  Let's love our bodies. 

Thanks for coming along with me this week in raising awareness about Eating Disorders.  
I hope you learned something about how to love your body!
 
 

Your Body Rocks: Day 4

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

 I thought I would join in on the good old blog to promote some self-love around here.  Each day this week I will issue a challenge (ideas from the the NEDA website), something you can do to promote a healthy body image, because I am sure we could all learn to love our bodies a little more.

Challenge #4:
Avoid stuff that makes you feel crappy.

 Sometimes great things can be not so great.  Are there blogs, magazines, television channels/shows, or social networking sites you use that make you hate/dislike/fight your body?  I am sure there is something out there, because media is bombarding us at all angles.  The things that I sometimes find triggering are the workouts pinned on Pinterest with pictures of barely-clothed girls with perfectly chiseled muscles and completely flat stomachs.  If I just follow the easy(or crazy hard) workout along with the fad diet highlighted I can look just like her, right?  I suddenly go from feeling great about my body that can do so many things to feeling like my body is suddenly lesser than, inadequate, not good enough.  So take notice and today choose to avoid stuff that you know erodes your self-esteem, body image, and sense of positive self.

Your Body Rocks: Day 3

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

 I thought I would join in on the good old blog to promote some self-love around here.  Each day this week I will issue a challenge (ideas from the the NEDA website), something you can do to promote a healthy body image, because I am sure we could all learn to love our bodies a little more.

Challenge #3:

Get rid of a pair of jeans that are too small.

From NEDA, "There is a growing body of evidence supporting the fact that body size and shape is largely determined by genetics. However, too often individuals struggle against their natural, genetically determined size just to fit into that pair of 'skinny jeans' in the back of their closet. Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and decreased self-esteem. While you can adopt a healthy lifestyle and aim to be fit for your particular body type, you cannot change your genes (nor do you need to)! ...Think twice about the fit versus fashion dilemma and the pressures of our culture’s unattainable standards of beauty. NEDA wants women and men to stop waiting to be a smaller size in order to wear certain clothes and to stop squeezing into jeans they keep hoping to 'lose a few' to get into. Instead, people need to be encouraged to change the size of their jeans to fit their genes. After all, everybody deserves to feel comfortable and confident in his or her clothes and body!"
 Take care of yourself and show your body some love by getting rid of those jeans (or whatever article of clothing it may be for you)!  Start to love the body you have, rather than wishing it was everything it's not.

Your Body Rocks: Day 2

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

 I thought I would join in on the good old blog to promote some self-love around here.  Each day this week I will issue a challenge (ideas from the the NEDA website), something you can do to promote a healthy body image, because I am sure we could all learn to love our bodies a little more.

Challenge #2:

Cover your mirrors with paper and write positive things on them.

Don't pick apart your body today and show it some love instead.  Instead of looking at the mirror to check your appearance, write positive affirmations about your self anytime you walk by.  Positive affirmations are statements like: I am beautiful.  I am smart.  I am strong.  My body rocks.  I am a good person. You could also write things you like about yourself (your strengths, inner qualities, and talents). This one might seem like a big project, but it can be done on many levels.  You could cover the entire thing with butcher paper or just add some sticky notes to your mirror and put a pen next to it.  If you want to get others involved, print out a flyer from the NEDA website to put by the mirrors at work, cover those suckers up with paper, and leave some markers.  You don't need a mirror to tell you are beautiful. 

Your Body Rocks: Day 1

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Naturally we are doing special things at my internship to try to raise awareness and provide accurate information to friends and family members.  I thought I would join in on the good old blog to promote some self-love around here.  Each day this week I will issue a challenge (ideas from the the NEDA website), something you can do to promote a healthy body image, because I am sure we could all learn to love our bodies a little more.

Challenge #1:

Don't weigh yourself for the rest of the week.

Why should some number mean so much?  Step off the scale this week and if you are feeling particularly brave, toss the scale FOREVER.  Yes, I am serious.  There was a time when I would weigh myself 2-3 times every day.  I would be having a great day and I would jump on the scale just to see how much I weighed.  Almost every time the number just wasn't low enough and I would become angry and sad.  Jeremy noticed the immediate mood shift and started hiding the scale.  When we moved, we decided to toss it; it wasn't doing much good.  Tossing the scale didn't magically make me love my body more (that takes work!), but the number has become less important.  At my internship, we often have funerals for scales. We have our patients bring in their scales, write a good-bye letter on them, and then throw them away.  It is a step towards refusing to let that number have so much power.  You are worth so much more than the number on the scale.  Don't let it become the way you measure how you feel about yourself.