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This Saturday is my b-day! So in honor of my turning the big 2-9, I wanted to republish a post I wrote several months ago about the lessons I’ve learned thus far about body image and life. I’ve also added two more lessons for good measure.

I hope everyone has a fantastic body-loving weekend!

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I receive Dr. Michelle May’s e-newsletter regularly, and in the latest issue she recounted a story I knew I had to share with you guys because it’s definitely a perspective-adjuster – in a vital way.

Dr. May and her husband went to Italy for their 25th anniversary and the best way, she writes, to describe her trip was as “sensuous.” Sensuous is, according to Dr. May:

1. Relating to or derived from the senses.
2. Appealing to or gratifying the senses.
3. Readily affected through the senses.
4. Highly appreciative of the pleasures of sensation.

For her, eating in Italy was exciting. Her senses perked up any time she had pizza or pasta or any other delectable Italian dish.

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That’s a question that Amy Pershing gets asked a lot! Clearly, it’s a testament to the insidious impact of the weight-loss and diet industries. Below Amy offers an eloquent answer.

If you remember, I recently interviewed Amy about binge eating disorder. Check out what she had to say about binge eating myths and challenges of recovery and her own struggles and recovery.

Amy is the executive director at PershingTurner Centers and clinical director for The Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, MI. She’s also an advocate of Health At Every Size.

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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Today, I was inspired by this post from Gretchen Rubin on Psych Central. Gretchen is the author of The Happiness Project. She writes:

We’ve all had days where it seems as though nothing gets done. For those times when I seem to be spinning my wheels, I keep a list of things that I can do every day, even when I have no extra time, money, or energy to spare.

And sometimes, we just don’t have the energy to conquer our body image demons or even the mildest of body image blues. Or we’re too tense, too frustrated and too preoccupied with other worries.

Here is part two of my interview with writer Pippa Wilson. If you didn’t get a chance to read part one (do so here!), Pippa recovered from both anorexia and bulimia.

She’s author of Letting Go of Ed: A Guide to Recovering from Your Eating Disorder, which will be published this August.

Below, Pippa talks about complete recovery, what inspired her to write her book, the many myths about eating disorders and much, much more.

To learn more about Pippa and her great work, read her blog and website.

(By the way, how absolutely beautiful is that photo!)

Today, I’m incredibly honored to present my interview with Pippa Wilson. Pippa struggled with anorexia and bulimia, and has been recovered for six years. Her book Letting Go of Ed: A Guide to Recovering from Your Eating Disorder will be published this August.

Below, Pippa talks about her struggles with both eating disorders, her “magical” counselor, two of the toughest parts of recovery and more.

Check out Pippa’s blog and website to learn more about her amazing work!

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As swimsuit season arrives, so many of us sweat the small stuff. We take out the microscope or magnifying glass and fixate on our “flaws.” Or just throw our hands up in the air and decide that everything looks like a mess.

I’ve been there far too many times, and living in Florida, where essentially swimsuit season is 10 months out of the year, only made things tougher. Often, I avoided the beach and most activities requiring a bathing suit.

And if I didn’t avoid them then I spent a lot of days beforehand being nervous.

In our culture, swimsuit season isn’t something we gloss over. We know it’s coming.

Thanks to articles such as this one, we’re told to freak out about wearing a bathing suit – that some scary “countdown” has begun and we should “panic.”

And suddenly any shred of positive body image starts to slip, and body anxiety takes over.

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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Recently, I was organizing a gigantic pile of paperwork (clearly, my perfectionistic ways don’t extend to house-cleaning), and I found a great piece about body image created by psychologists Michael Levine, Ph.D, and Linda Smolak, Ph.D.

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Yesterday, I mentioned how much I desperately needed physical activity in my life after a few weeks without it. I really felt out of sorts and very much disconnected from my body.

Then I went to Pilates – and it was like a magical elixir. I walked out feeling so much better than when I sulked in. Sure, I’m a bit sore, but it really made a big difference in my mood and day – and, best of all, I reconnected with my body.

We all know the countless benefits of physical activity. But many of us don’t realize that we can do it on our terms!

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Lately, I’ve been having a tough time. My mood has been low, and I haven’t been feeling my best. The details don’t matter. What does is that I’ve been feeling down.

And a down mood can easily leave one vulnerable to a down body image.

In other words, when we feel especially tense, anxious, upset, frustrated, confused or exasperated, our body image can suffer.

The answer? Some good coping strategies!

So today let’s talk about how to lift our moods and perk up our body image. Here’s a list of 40 ideas.