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Author: nutritiousthoughtsblog

The Jeans Don’t Fit

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Body Image, Eating Disorder Recovery. 1 Comment on The Jeans Don’t Fit

Body image is defined by The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in the following terms:

Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. It encompasses:

  • What you believe about your own appearance (including your memories, assumptions, and generalizations).
  • How you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight.
  • How you sense and control your body as you move.  How you physically experience or feel in your body.

The intention of this post is to explore the emotional intensity surrounding negative body image moments in all stages of recovery and to better understand and practice the concept of body image flexibility.  

“Oh no, I can’t button these jeans.”

Discomfort.

“Last season these fit me…”

Disappointment.

“Has my body really changed that much?”

Disbelief.

As I flung myself down onto my bed, feeling exasperated and eyes welling up with tears, I began to feel the intense sting of fear.  Fear of “not fitting”.  Fear of how my appearance is perceived by others.  Fear that I still very much care about any of this.  Fear that I will always care about this. 

As I cocooned myself in blankets, I began to ruminate about the time when those jeans did fit and in doing so, I experienced a monumental shift in thinking that made me realize those endless hours of therapy weren’t for naught.  Since the jeans last fit, I recognized positive changes that expanded across every realm of my life.

I’ve experienced less fatigue, pain, and illness since the jeans fit.

I’ve regained mental clarity, focus, and short-term memory since the jeans fit.

I’ve enjoyed being with friends and I’ve laughed a whole lot since the jeans fit.

It was in this moment of reflecting on positive change that I realized that yes, my entire being – my soul, my life – is in fact

Bigger

More

Larger

than any pair of pants ever could be.

As human beings with human bodies, we generally experience periods of physical, mental, and emotional discomfort throughout our lives that may impact our body image.   The concept of body image flexibility honors this discomfort and refers to the ability to fully and openly experience negative thoughts and feelings about body image while still being able to recognize self worth, hold space for self compassion, and maintain value-consistent behaviors (Sandoz, Wilson, & Merwin, 2012).

What does this mean?

Having body image flexibility means that while you may be displeased with your appearance at a given time, you are still able to care for yourself appropriately (eat consistently and enough, be gentle with your body, maintain hygiene, interact socially, etc.).

How do I practice having more body image flexibility?

  • “Yes, and…” mentality – As negative body image thoughts enter consciousness, meet them with acceptance.  This is how you feel right now in this moment.  That is okay.  Then, follow this up by stating one positive attribute about yourself.  This is all about resilience.
    • Example:
      • Negative body image thought: “My thighs are huge.”
      • Internal acceptance dialogue: “Yes, I feel that my thighs are huge in this moment.  I am uncomfortable.”
      • Positive attribute: “My thighs allow me to stand/walk for each of my 8-hour shifts at work.”
  • Get rid of items that promote negative body image or self-judgement – scales, clothing that no longer fits, etc.
  • Consider exploring body image work on a deeper level with a licensed therapist.
  • Self care, self care, self care, self care.
    • Eat. Move gently and intuitively. Sleep. Play.

 

For more information and resources related to body image:

  • https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/body-image-0
  • https://centerforchange.com/battling-bodies-understanding-overcoming-negative-body-images/
  • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/body-image

 

Empower. Nourish. Heal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Forward – The Movement towards more Recovery Positive Media

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Eating Disorder Recovery, Self Care. 2 Comments on Spring Forward – The Movement towards more Recovery Positive Media

Spring time –

A season hallmarked by growth, renewal, and according to popular point of view…getting “bikini ready”.  This time of year, many media outlets flood the public with messages promoting appearance-focused methods of “self-improvement”.  You know the type!  Daily interaction with the world around us may not completely eliminate exposure to suggestions such as “eat this” or “shave that” or “exercise like they do”; however, we do have some autonomy related to the media we choose to pay our attention to.

How do we make the shift to engaging in more recovery-positive media when intrusive messages seem to be everywhere?

Step One:

Notice what you are reading, scrolling through, purchasing, and watching.  What messages are you receiving from these sources?  Could they be negatively impacting your self image?  Do you find yourself playing the game of comparison?

Unfollow the account.  Unsubscribe to the magazine.  Change the channel.  Donate the book.  Block them on Facebook.

Step Two: 

Try curating uplifting sources of media that don’t pressure an “ideal”.  We’ve gathered some of our favorites for you to check out (see below!).

Books/Authors:

  • Meera Lee Patel – “My Friend Fear: Finding Magic in the Unknown”
  • Gretchen Rubin – “The Happiness Project”
  • Jen Sincero – “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life”
  • Brené Brown – “The Gifts of Imperfection”

Instagram Accounts:

  • bymariandrew (Mari Andrew)
  • thebodyisnotanapology (The Body is Not an Apology)
  • thinkgrowprosper (A Wealth of Wisdom)
  • hellosunshine (Hello Sunshine)

Magazines:

  • Darling
  • Lucia

Podcasts:

  • Love, Food – by Julie Duffy Dillon
  • Body Kindness – by Rebecca Scritchfield

Step Three:

Enjoy connecting with the world around you without feeling inadequate in any way, shape, or form.

Boom!

*cue the fireworks*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Me

Written by nutritiousthoughtsblog on . Posted in Eating Disorder Recovery, Self Care. 3 Comments on Dear Me

I wrote this letter to myself at a painfully pivotal point in my life.  I still read it regularly and hope it provides a sense of safety, hope, and unity to others that may need it.

-Lindsey M. Yemc, MS, RD, LDN

This is a letter to yourself when things seem impossible.  Read this when success is blooming everywhere around you, and you feel as though you’re the seed that never germinated. Read this when you’re waiting for someone to say “it’s your turn”.

Dear me,

Let your tears fall, and with them, every misconceived notion that you’re not enough.  Breathe.  Open up your heart to every uncertainty in your life, every unknown, every question.  Feel uncomfortable.  The answer right now is that you just don’t know.  Accept yourself in this state.  As inglorious as it is, it is real, and being real in a terribly fake world is an achievement unfamiliar to most.

Sit here for a moment.  Do not write yourself off.  Settle in.  Disrobe your pride.  You are allowed to feel that life is sometimes unfair and unnecessarily cruel, because it absolutely is.  Understand that you are human; perhaps the most difficult thing to be in this universe.

Credit yourself.  You alone have accomplished many feats.  You have fought giants and monsters.  You feel empty with dreamy optimism, but warrior, you are full of everything you need to fight.  Freshen up your war paint, another battle is just around the corner.  You are essential personnel – rain or shine, you must trust yourself to show up.

Embrace your complexity.  You are a goddess, a serpent of solidity.  Flexible, yet unshakable. You are elemental.  The wind in your hair ignites a flame that can burn every one of your insecurities to the ground.  Know your power.

Once you’ve rediscovered the dynamic potential of your life, your incredible aptitude to design and actualize exquisite beauty, propel yourself in the dance of determination.

Love always,

Me