Positive Body Image

There is a lot of talk about Body Image right now.  I want to chime in too!  I volunteered with A Celebration of Real Beauty over the past couple years.  I really enjoyed my experience and the positive message that they share.  My husband teased me when I got started that it was just a program to help overweight women feel better about being overweight.  But that is NOT how I see positive body image.  And that is NOT what A Celebration of Real Beauty is about.  And I have educated my husband (who has NEVER complained about my body), about positive body image.

While I would still like to bring A Celebration of Real Beauty to the Boise area, I have been doing some of my own work with Be The Positive.  Here is the message I would like to share.

Positive Body Image is being able to love the person you are.  It doesn’t matter if you are skinny, overweight, a super model, mother of 10, or a teenager.  If you don’t love yourself right now, you won’t love yourself when your transformation is complete.  You will never be complete.  Be Happy with who you are NOW!

I LOVE Audrey Hepburn.  I think she is elegant and beautiful.  I do not long to look like her, be her size or shape.  But I enjoy her classy style and acting.  And she left some good quotes.

There are a lot of misconceptions about beauty.  We see it on TV, in movies, commercials, and magazines.  Many of the celebrities that we are admiring have spoken out about the airbrushing.  They have told us about the hours and number of people that work on their hair and makeup.  They admit it isn’t real.  They don’t have this luxury every day.  But yet we have this perception of them every day.

In reality- only 5% of women in the world, fit the “perfect” body that has been shown to us, over and over again.  I’m guessing those 5% have spent a lot of money to be in that group.  How is it possible that 95% of us are wishing we looked like so few people?  That’s enough women to start a revolution!!

When we look in the mirror do we wish things looked different?  I know sometimes I look in the mirror and pick at what I think is wrong.  It isn’t always wishing I looked like a celebrity; just not loving my reflection.  I say reflection, because that is my perception of myself.  I know I love my body, but the reflection that I perceive could lose a few inches, have less skin issues, or wear her clothes better.  It is my perception.  When we can see ourselves the way God sees us- as a creation and something to be loved- we will look perfect!

I know that everybody is different.  That is the joy of our world.  God didn’t create anyone to be exactly the same.  We all have different genes, different sizes, and different colors.  I LOVE it!!  We must remember that our bodies are a gift, from a Heavenly Father that created tabernacles for our spirits.  This body is the only one we get and we should cherish and take care of it.

We should eat healthy and be fit.  I know this means different things to everyone reading.  I don’t believe in diets.  I believe in nutrition that fits our lifestyle.  I don’t eat perfectly clean.  I am trying to eat right.  But I love chocolate as much as the next gal!!  I don’t LOVE to get up early and exercise, but I do feel good when I exercise.  I love to dance.  I have learned to enjoy running.  Seriously, I had to learn- another post, another time.  Again, getting that motivation to get out the door isn’t always easy.  But I start to miss it, if I don’t run for a while.  I have been learning about weight lifting.  I am learning to tone my muscles.  This has been a good experience.  I’ve never had a lot of muscle.  I shy away from HEAVY lifting.  But it is nice to build some muscle (I’m not bulking) and be able to use it! 

I don’t exercise to lose weight or change my size.  I exercise because it relieves stress and releases endorphins.  It is a good way to avoid depression.  I try not to look at the other people working out, I don’t want to get caught up with thoughts of “I wish I looked like her!” or “I’m glad I’m not that big”.  That’s not fair to them or me.  We are all there working to be healthy.  We should have a party every day we are there & celebrate our healthy choice and love of our bodies!!  Ha!  Wouldn’t that get more people to the gym.  Can we get cake too?  Ha-ha!!  Sorry… But I do like cake.

Positive Body Image is important to avoid self-doubt, depression, and eating disorders.  Healthy lifestyle is important for avoiding heart disease, high cholesterol, and type II diabetes.  Positive Body Image is all about loving and taking care of our one and only body.

Positive ~ Confident ~ Children

It’s the first day of School and my children are headed off to the halls of 7^th, 5^th, & 1^st grades.  They are excited to meet new teachers, learn new things, and spend time with their classmates & friends.  A couple questions have come to my mind as we prepared for the school year.  What can I do to ensure my children are confident?  What can I do to make sure I send them from a happy home?

I want my children to know I love them.  I want them to step out the front door every morning with a smile on their face & the attitude that “today is going to be a good day”.  They should walk the halls of their school with heads held high; knowing who they are and be a good, kind, positive person.  I want them to walk into their classes and say “I can do this”.   I desire for them to want to come home at the end of each day.

I feel like my kids are pretty confident and independent.  They know they are loved and cared for.  They enjoy sharing stories and time with family.  I tell them "I Love You".  I taxi them around and make them meals.  I give them chores to teach them responsibility.  We hug.  We encourage and congratulate.  Am I doing it right?  Is it enough?

Sometimes, it is hard to be positive at home, because it is our safe place.  Home is where we can let go of our inhibitions and worries and walls.  Home can be such a loving comfort.  So much comfort that we forget our positive attitude and manners with those we love most.  And because we are family, we will continue to love and forgive.  But as parents, are we sending a hidden message when we let these negative words and attitudes take over?  What are our Children taking away?  Are we taking away from their confidence?  What happens to our Children’s positive attitude?  How are they going to perceive the world?

Our children need to feel comfort at home, it needs to be a place they find safety.  Children can look to parents for approval, love, encouragement, and teaching.  I want my kids to come home to be rebuilt, not torn down.  While searching the web for ideas about this post, I found some great quotes.

I LOVE this quote-

 

It is true for more than just kids.  Every one's memories are related to how they felt at the time.  If we can recognize this as the parent, it will help us apply it when spending time with our families.  Our children will desire to return home each day, if they feel loved and safe.  Our children will leave the home ready to take on the challenges of the day, if they can take those feelings of love and safety with them.

 

I found this list of things parents can do to teach confidence in their children:  I have analyzed how I can apply this in my life & home.

1- Such a good way to discover that they can do things for themselves.

2- This is a hard balance sometimes.  It can be a fine line when we see their potential.

3- Sometimes when I check on my kids jobs, I only point out what they didn't do.  I need to remember to offer praise.

4- If we don't believe in ourselves how can they?

5- Set aside the time & DO IT!!!

6- I choose to show them this by example.  I LOVE making goals.

7- I need to be better at teaching my kids they can do hard things.  I get frustrated & do it for them.

8- Boy, oh, boy (and one more boy), do I know this.  3 different boys (+ a girl) in our house.

9- Say "I Love You" as often as you can.  I love my little 3 year old.  She tells me "Momma, I Love You" all day long.  I enjoy saying "I Love You" back!!

 

10- We are a Christian home.  It is VERY important our children know there is always a Father in Heaven who loves them.  I hope that your home has a spiritual relief, where children can release negative thoughts & turn for peace. 

 

I want my kids to leave home knowing (not just believing) the things on the following poster: 

 

 

If my children know this, if they know they are loved, if they know that as parents we believe in them- there is nothing that will break them down.  And because I am not a perfect parent, and my children are not perfect, there will be flaws.  There will be mistakes.  There will be a little yelling now & then.  And sometimes maybe tears.  But despite the mistakes and tears, my kids will know I love them.  They will be able to go out in the world and be themselves.  And...

I know there will be laughing!!

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

It's Mother’s Day and I want to share some positives of being a mother.  Let’s face it, it’s not an easy job & being reminded of why we want this job, is always helpful.   There are a lot of jokes, sayings, & quotes.  Here are some that I enjoy.

 When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed. ~Linda Wooten

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother. ~Abraham Lincoln

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.”
― Howard W. Hunter

"There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him asleep."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes, and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live and the contribution he will make to society.”
― N. Eldon Tanner

“I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love & duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting & challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best that I could bring to it.”
― Rose Kennedy

“There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.”
― James E. Faust

“...moms, even good ones, sometimes lose it a little so as not to lose it all.”
― Susan Squire

“Having kids — the responsibility of rearing good, kind, ethical, responsible human beings — is the biggest job anyone can embark on”
― Maria Shriver

"If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent." -- Bette Davis

Some of these offer inspiration, humor, and a reminder of just how important we are.  I know there are days that you wonder if you can keep going, or if your doing it all wrong.  Keep trying your best, you are a mother forever and your children love you, no matter what.  I hope today you feel that love and appreciation.  And don't forget your own mother.