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It's no secret that we live in a world in which we're constantly bombarded with unrealistic expectations about how we should look. These unrealistic images are everywhere - starting at a young age. There is always someone making a profit from selling the idea that you need to look a certain way - or preserve your appearance - to be good enough. It's no wonder that for some people, their appearance makes up a big part of their self-worth.
Maybe some of you reading this are not thrilled with your complexion, hair, smile, chin, or nose. I'll just tell you now that despite the fact that I spent a good part of my life dreaming of new goals to conquer - which were completely unrelated to my appearance - there was a time when I also wasted so many moments feeling unsatisfied with the appearance of my body. I had totally bought into diet culture. After doing some internal housekeeping, I eventually became a non-diet dietitian and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who assists clients with making peace with food and the body.
As Marci Evans, CEDRD, cPT, and Fiona Sutherland, APD, RYT taught at their wonderful Body Image Workshop that I attended in Chicago recently, it's completely unrealistic to think that you are never going to feel bad about your body. But working on body image healing may help you feel less pain towards your body, and be more resilient as you experience different phases in life and changes within your body. The type of relationship that you have with your body can affect how you feel about yourself - and how you treat your body - which can have a strong impact on the quality of your life.
Today - and always - I want to remind anyone reading this that YOU are worth far more than your appearance. Perhaps you have hobbies or a career that you're passionate about - or loved ones who mean the world to you. Maybe you have a faith that's an integral part of your life, or dreams that you hope to conquer. While I haven't met everyone in person who is reading this, I do know that each of you was born with special talents. And you were born with your own unique genetic blueprint. In fact, you are the best at being you on the planet - which makes you far more interesting than your appearance.
As Marci and Fiona pointed out at their workshop and in their body healing cards, your appearance is just one of the many parts of you. Just one. And when you remember this important point on a regular basis, it can seem less significant if an outfit fits more snugly than you remember - or if you think that you typically look better than you do in this very moment. When you embrace the MANY qualities that you possess - which are completely unrelated to your appearance - you are reminded even more of your true self-worth.
It seems to me that when people reach their final stage of life, many of them reflect upon how well they loved others - and were loved. And part of living is feeling worthy of receiving love, and treating yourself with love. You are worth so much more than your appearance. You are worth so much - now.
If you would like to work towards making peace with food and your body, click here to learn more about my private one-on-one sessions.