"Weight loss does not make people happy. Or peaceful. Or content. Being thin does not address the emptiness that has no shape or weight or name. Even a wildly successful diet is a colossal failure because inside the new body is the same sinking heart. Spiritual hunger can never be solved on the physical level. - Geneen Roth
Body Image
A 2004 women's health study showed that "nearly one half of North American women experience some degree of body image dissatisfaction."
Womens' body image has become poorer over the last three decades. Concern with body image and chronic dieting are so common that they are statistically "normal" for women. For many women, self-esteem becomes tied to weight and shape, and this over-investment in thinness is a risk factor for the development of a serious eating disorder. In addition, millions of Canadian women who never develop a full-blown eating disorder will squander time and psychological energy in the pursuit of thinness.The majority of them will remain dissatisfied with their bodies, and will blame themselves."
And, while body image issues were once thought to occur mostly in women, today idealized images of men’s bodies have become more of a point of focus in Western advertising and entertainment, leading to an increased rate of body dissatisfaction among men.
Everywhere we look there are images of impossibly thin bodies and messages that tell us we are not good enough as we are.
These messages come from companies who want us to believe that we will feel better about ourselves if we spend money on their products. However, even if we reach our goal weight, the discontent and feelings of unworthiness will most often remain.
It is possible to feel good about yourself as you are, with the beautiful body you have been given..
Womens' body image has become poorer over the last three decades. Concern with body image and chronic dieting are so common that they are statistically "normal" for women. For many women, self-esteem becomes tied to weight and shape, and this over-investment in thinness is a risk factor for the development of a serious eating disorder. In addition, millions of Canadian women who never develop a full-blown eating disorder will squander time and psychological energy in the pursuit of thinness.The majority of them will remain dissatisfied with their bodies, and will blame themselves."
And, while body image issues were once thought to occur mostly in women, today idealized images of men’s bodies have become more of a point of focus in Western advertising and entertainment, leading to an increased rate of body dissatisfaction among men.
Everywhere we look there are images of impossibly thin bodies and messages that tell us we are not good enough as we are.
These messages come from companies who want us to believe that we will feel better about ourselves if we spend money on their products. However, even if we reach our goal weight, the discontent and feelings of unworthiness will most often remain.
It is possible to feel good about yourself as you are, with the beautiful body you have been given..
How we view ourselves is a reflection of what is happening inside us. Learning to love what we see when we look in the mirror requires a willingness to be gentle with ourselves. It requires patience as we look beneath the body attack and self judgement to discover the place within that is calling out for attention and love.
Holding a healthy view of your body begins with loving yourself.
This is not about pushing ourselves further or finding new means or reasons to beat ourselves up. We have suffered long enough on diets or in strenuous workouts that only set us up for further pain when they don't last and don't give us what we'd hoped for. Nothing new can be implemented until we shine a gentle light on the places within us that we have ignored. Together we can shine this light.
Holding a healthy view of your body begins with loving yourself.
This is not about pushing ourselves further or finding new means or reasons to beat ourselves up. We have suffered long enough on diets or in strenuous workouts that only set us up for further pain when they don't last and don't give us what we'd hoped for. Nothing new can be implemented until we shine a gentle light on the places within us that we have ignored. Together we can shine this light.
Shining a light is about developing a whole new relationship with your body based on love, respect and trust.
If you make your body the enemy and spend your time loathing it, abusing it and treating it with disrespect, then how can you expect it to serve you optimally and be as fit and healthy as you desire?
If instead you choose to honour your body and see it as your temple, it will respond with health and vitality and provide you with the strength you require to show up more fully in your life.
If you make your body the enemy and spend your time loathing it, abusing it and treating it with disrespect, then how can you expect it to serve you optimally and be as fit and healthy as you desire?
If instead you choose to honour your body and see it as your temple, it will respond with health and vitality and provide you with the strength you require to show up more fully in your life.
Call now to book your appointment:
Treena Norrish, RPC
Registered Professional Counsellor, Victoria, BC
Call now to book your complimentary 30 minute consultation:
250 891 1817
treena@livingradiance.ca
Registered Professional Counsellor, Victoria, BC
Call now to book your complimentary 30 minute consultation:
250 891 1817
treena@livingradiance.ca
