“I don't like myself, I'm crazy about myself”

– Mae West

The Beauty of You!

I recall as a teenager looking into the mirror with disgust as I tried to cover my ‘imperfections’ by wearing extremely over-sized clothes. My body image was so disordered that I actually would sneak my mother’s clothes out of her closet and wear them to school (at that time, my mom was a few sizes larger than was I). I can now see how ridiculous and misaligned my thinking was and it has taken many years to overcome my body image struggles – and I will admit there are days now where my self-dialog can sabotage my mindset. Now, twenty years later, I think, wow, what I wouldn’t give to have that figure back today (smile). 

Think back to a time when you really felt uncomfortable in your skin. Maybe you were injured and were unable to exercise for a long period of time, maybe you struggled with binging or purging or anorexia. How early of an age did you become aware of your physicality and how that impacted how the world saw you? Were you teased because you were too fat, too thin, or too tall? How did that make you feel about your food intake, your relationships, and your focus on school or work? In what ways are you holding on to past images or judgments of yourself?     

Almost all of us have a distorted image of our body, often due to the importance our culture places on outward appearance and the onslaught of media images of airbrushed models and celebrities. On a daily basis, we talk to ourselves in ways we would never speak to another. Imagine speaking to a child the way you speak to yourself about your body. It would devastate and squelch a child. It affects you similarly, causing stress and emotional pain in your body, which can make improving your health or losing weight even more difficult.

Our culture’s preferred body type shifts every decade or so, but whatever it is, it is usually unattainable without spending enormous amounts of time, energy and money. Think of all the intelligence, creativity and time you spend on improving, altering and judging your appearance. Who would you be and what could you accomplish if your valuable resources weren’t used this way? Constant emphasis on the external makes us discount the great presence and intelligence that is housed by the body. It makes us forget the magic of our internal rhythms and fail to acknowledge the beautiful bodies we have. The body you have right now is incredible! It never misses a heartbeat, it maintains homeostasis and it miraculously digests whatever you put in it. It is your instrument for expressing your creativity, intelligence and love. By focusing on the 1% you don’t like or wish was different, you may be ignoring the remaining 99% about your body that is beautiful, unique and delightful.

What would your life be like if you were simply at peace with the body you have? You may wish to make your body healthier and stronger, but could you do that out of love and respect for your body instead of the opposite? Could you begin to treat yourself with kindness, to limit the negative self-talk and to reconnect with your inner wisdom? Take a minute to imagine what that would feel like. It would mean celebrating your body rather than punishing it. It would mean nourishing your body rather than depriving it. It would mean a chance to watch your body flourish just like a child flourishes when treated with care and respect.

Food for Thought: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are on everyone’s mind this season. They seem to go hand in hand with the holidays, and fortunately, eating these and other sweet vegetables needn’t be limited to this time of year. Cravings for sweets can be greatly reduced by adding sweet vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, beets, squash, turnips and rutabagas to your daily diet. Sweet potatoes elevate blood sugar gently rather than with the jolt delivered by simple refined carbohydrates, so there’s no energy crash after you eat them. Much higher in nutrients than white potatoes and especially rich in vitamin A, sweet potatoes offer a creamy consistency that is satisfying and soothing. They are healing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and help to remove toxins from the body. They can increase the quantity of milk in lactating women and can lessen cramps and premenstrual symptoms. If you don’t have any sweet potatoes in your kitchen, go out and buy some (organic and local if possible) and make the recipe below. Recipe © 2008 Integrative Nutrition 10/07

Recipe of the Month: Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro This recipe is an eye-opener for those who find sweet potatoes cloyingly sweet or who are tired of eating them smothered in marshmallows and brown sugar. Japanese sweet potatoes, with their pale flesh and delicate flavor, are a treat if you can find them. Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30-40 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro 2-3 limes butter or olive oil, salt (optional) Directions: 1. Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them whole, in their skins, at 375 degrees until tender, about 40 minutes. 2. Wash and chop cilantro leaves. 3. When sweet potatoes are done, slit open the skin and place on serving plate. Season with salt and dots of butter or a sprinkle of oil, if you like, then squeeze fresh lime juice all over, and shower with cilantro leaves. Recipe © 2008 Integrative Nutrition 10/07

Get Busy Your action item for the month of December is to explore different ways in which you can 'get crazy' about yourself! I want to hear from you.

 

Forward to a Friend My passion is supporting others to become the best version of themselves. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it.

 

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Live well,

Shelley

shelley@integrativelife.org