Introduction
I’m just going to jump right into it here. I’m a former eating disorder therapist who also has a history of “body image issues” along with eating disorder behaviors. I’ve also recently gained a lot of weight d/t injuries and menopause, and this blog is how I’m helping myself so I wanted to share in case anyone else could relate.
4 Tips for Healing Body Judgment
Here are four tips that have helped me:
- Stop mirror checking & photo checking. This include at home as well as reflective surfaces out in public.
- Shift from how I look to how I feel from the body’s POV, not the mind’s judgments. This is challenging. It requies me to quiet the mind and allow the body to speak to me more.
- Old clothes that don’t fit are OUT, new clothes that fit me properly are IN. This is just plain, good ol’ self-care here. Letting go of daily experiences where my clothes don’t fit anymore, or they fit improperly and I feel uncomfortable all day long.
- Focus on how my body allows me to experience humanity, my weight and appearance has little to do with that. Orienting myself to the fact that my body is the avenue for receiving all the beauty of the world around me, physically and relationally, has been key.
My History & How it’s Impacting Me
As a former CEDS, I’ll be honest that this phase and experience in my life has throttled me back more than a little 💔. I didn’t realize those “thin ideal” beliefs and self-evaluations/judgments were still lurking in the shadows nor how powerfully they’d impact me still – but GURL, are they front and center right now! 😲
Five years into menopause and an achilles tendon injury – I wasn’t prepared for what I’ve felt. 😥 I’ve had moments where I was filled with disgust at my body, didn’t recognize myself in reflective surfaces, and felt intense shame.
Other Helps
Honestly, along with the above behaviors and changes, relying on my closest loved ones has helped me remember that “I’m more than my weight, size, shape, or appearance.” They love me regardless. For instance, my new little grandson has NO experience of my body other than a loving Nana that holds space for him and comforts him.
Let Me Know
If you’re struggling with any of these things, I see you 🥰. Our culture is so incredibly toxic when it comes to body size, shape, weight, and appearance and it had been decades since I was personally impacted by it.
You are good. You are alive. You exist beautifully.
Reply to this email “body neutrality” if this is something you’d like support with or email me directly at shannan@sbmftservices.com.
In Health & Wholeness ☯️,
Shannan
