Mondays can be rough for many of us, and this doesn’t create the ideal environment for building a better body image. To help you turn that around, every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit to help boost your body image – and kick-start the week on a positive note.

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

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Last week, I wrote about the importance of loving yourself at your core. This leads to a more positive and stable body image, that doesn’t shake or break based on outside forces, like weight, size or shape (or criticism from some jerk).

But sometimes, we can use a pick-me-up, a quick boost that perks up our body image in a pinch. Or at least makes us pause and say “hmm” the next time we’re being critical.

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Months ago, Mish at Eating Journey, wrote a post that blew me away (many of her posts do). It was these few sentences that really struck me:

“I know what I have been harping on LOVING YOURSELF…but our bodies are mere shells for our souls, our spirits, our inner workings. Remember that YES we need to love our bodies…but I challenge you to REALLY love your body from within. Don’t just give it lip-service, believe what you’re saying.”

For a long time, I think that was my true problem with my body image.

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This Monday, we talked about some helpful questions to ask to assess the state of your body image.

Today, I want to talk about what makes you super duper giddy about your body.

I was reading Julie’s post (that’s Julie of the fantastic blog Beautiful You) on dreams, and she wrote something that struck me.

She writes:

Are your dreams as amazing as you are?

It’s great to have them, but how much are they really inspiring you?

Could your dream possibly just be a goal that requires some of your attention and commitment, or is it actually a dream that will require passion, dedication and S – T – R – E – T – C – H?

Don’t for one moment believe that you should limit your dreams.

Never.

So like Julie says about dreams, let’s not talk about what makes you feel iffy, OK or blah about your body.

Today, I’m thrilled to feature the bloggers who’ve participated in our series, Self-Discovery, Word by Word! This month’s word was “creativity,” and I hope you enjoyed reflecting on it.

In the midst of a hectic schedule and life responsibilities, I’m really trying to connect to my creativity. And reading your posts was a wonderful way to do that! Below, are your fantastic posts on creativity in the order I received them.

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Mondays can be rough for many of us, and this doesn’t create the ideal environment for building a better body image. To help you turn that around, every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit to help boost your body image – and kick-start the week on a positive note.

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

It’s been a while since we evaluated the state of our body image. I think it’s important to check in with ourselves from time to time to see how we’re doing. To consider what really impacts our body image. To consider what contributes positively – or negatively – to our body image.

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This is the last part of my interview with the amazing Ellen Shuman. Ellen is an emotional eating and binge eating recovery coach. She’s also the vice president of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA).

Ellen already shared her insight on myths about BED and her own struggles and recovery from the disorder.

Below, she discusses how BED is treated, how you can find reputable help, what coaching is and when it’s appropriate for BED and more much.

Yesterday, Ellen Shuman, an emotional eating and binge eating disorder recovery coach, talked about the many myths surrounding BED.

Today, she talks honestly about her own struggles and recovery from the disorder. Ellen also explains how she helps clients overcome similar issues to become emotionally, physically and spiritually healthy.

By the way, Ellen offers a free informational telephone seminar about emotional eating issues and binge eating disorder. If you’re interested, you can register at www.aweighout.com.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the last part on treatment.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is common. According to a 2007 Harvard University and McLean Hospital Study, 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men suffer from the disorder at some point in their lives.

In fact, more people have BED than bulimia and anorexia combined.

Still, BED is very misunderstood, and many people are ashamed to seek help.

But BED is highly treatable.

I’m honored to present my interview with BED and emotional eating expert Ellen Shuman. Below, in part one of our interview, Ellen dispels common myths about BED and discusses the causes.

Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

Mondays can be rough for many of us, and this doesn’t create the ideal environment for building a better body image. To help you turn that around, every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit to help boost your body image – and kick-start the week on a positive note.

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

I’m a big fan of Therese Borchard, who authors the incredibly valuable, honest and beautifully written blog Beyond Blue (and contributes to Psych Central, too!), and has written several must-read books.

In elementary school, I was enamored with art.

In art class, I happily recreated Picasso’s self-portrait and then created my own self-portrait (see above and below). (This is the Picasso self-portrait I was recreating; not exactly a replica, but it was my work.)

I doodled in Mickey and Minnie coloring books, and went to the MOMA store with my grandma. (I still have the set of pastels she bought me during one of our stops.)

I fell in love with the arts when I was just itty bitty. Ballet, Broadway, art books. I still have dreams about learning pointe.