{via pinterest}

Last week, I wrote about 30 habits that can help improve your body image every day.

Today, let’s chat about the beliefs and habits that can prevent us from building a more positive body image. Some of these may come from society, the media or even your own home.

While you don’t need to tackle all these at once, I hope they help you in possibly creating some body positive goals.

1. Not listening to your body’s needs, such as skipping meals when you’re hungry or exercising hard when you’re tired.

2. Hyperfocusing on supposed physical “flaws.”

{via pinterest; originally from here}

I lived alone for several years in my early 20s, and I often felt very alone, especially when it came to dinnertime. I loved the solitude, space, peace and quiet. But I just felt lonely.

I’d eat my meals in front of the TV and spent very little time preparing wholesome foods. I’d throw a few things together and then continue to eat odd foods like crackers with jelly throughout the night.

I felt disconnected from myself and from my body. I felt empty, and used simple carbs to fill the void.

{via pinterest}

In our society food has become a villain. A caloric-filled foe. A tease. A treat that we aren’t allowed to have, because it’ll inevitably go to our thighs, arms, behind or belly.

We curse food with its sinful ingredients of straight-to-your-hips sugars, bloat-inducing sodium or pound-packing proteins.

So we turn to sugar substitutes, fake ingredients (what’s in those super low-cal chips?) and low-fat alternatives and turn away from wholesome foods that may have more calories, sugars, fats and other things shunned by our society.

{from here via pinterest}

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.

{image credit}

Today, I’m thrilled to present a beautifully written guest post by Joy Choquette, who writes the awesome blog 156 Things, where she takes on about three things each week that take her out of her comfort zone. I love Joy’s writing, and I’m honored to share the below post with you.

Joy is a Vermont-based professional writer. As she says,  among her many interests are psychology geekery, people-watching and interpreting and everything relationship oriented: from marriages to childhood patterns to habits involving food, money and faith. She’s also very much interested in intuitive eating (please read this amazing post about it on her blog).

Without further ado, here’s Joy’s post about food in today’s world.

I am sitting in a café, warm coffee-scented air hanging heavy. I type away on my laptop. Today, this café is a retreat from my real life, a place to focus entirely on my writing and block out the distractions that plague me at home.

At least, I try to block out the distractions. More than once I’m pulled into a conversation at a nearby table, ears perking as I stare into space waiting for the right order of words to come.

{via}

I used to think that self-care was taking a day off, getting a pedicure and washing my hair often enough that I didn’t frighten young children.

Even more so, years ago, the words “self-care” rarely entered my mind. They had no part in my routine, let alone my vocabulary.

In grad school, any attempts to take care of myself vanished. I felt a surge of shame every time I wanted to do something for myself aside from work. I wondered, what’s the point?

Then I reached my breaking point and realized that I was a tired, inactive, malnourished and unhappy mess.

As I started writing Weightless, I was getting much better, but I still had a very narrow view of self-care. Then, my friend and fellow blogger Christie from Nourishing Circle taught me an important lesson.

Like she always says, “Self-care is more than bubble baths and good books.” For instance, she believes that creating and sustaining solid boundaries is also part and parcel. I had no clue!

{image credit}

I’m the type of person who looks forward to a party partially because of the food. I love cake and eat dessert daily. I get excited to chump on carrots and enjoy a plate of berries, watermelon and grapes. I mean giddy with excitement.

I’ve  also never met a pizza or fettuccine Alfredo I didn’t like.

While now I embrace my love for food, years ago, I used to condemn it. I resented my appetite. Because in my mind, that’s what made me fat. That’s what made it so difficult for me to diet.

I wished upon many a star that I didn’t need to enjoy what I was eating, that I didn’t have such a big appetite, especially for all things sweet.

{image credit}

Do you know what today is?

It’s the third day of National Women’s Health Week! Which is:

“…a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health. The theme for 2011 is ‘It’s Your Time.’”

So today I wanted to talk about what it means to be healthy.

Of course, I think the definition is individual. I also think that it’s important to take some time regularly to consider what being healthy means to you and to assess if you’re living your version of a healthy life.

Here’s part two of my interview with Katie, from one of my favorite blogs Health for the Whole Self. Katie has written an e-book called Taking Action: 30 Specific Strategies About Overcoming Emotional Eating. It’s truly a must-read! (Here’s more about the book and how to get it.)

In part one, we talked about her own struggles with emotional eating, what helped her get better, her favorite tools and more.

In part two, Katie discusses a major trigger for her emotional eating, myths about emotional eating, the toughest part of recovery for her and having hope.

I also just want to reiterate that if you’re struggling with emotional eating or binge eating, you can absolutely get better – regardless of how long you’ve been struggling. Binge eating is highly treatable. For instance, Katie saw a therapist and uses the tools in her e-book.

Seeing a therapist who specializes in binge eating is key for getting better. Creating a healthy toolbox also helps tremendously, whether that’s through Katie’s e-book (which I really do highly recommend) or another resource.

Don’t forget that Katie is giving away one free copy! Enter to win by commenting below. You have ’til next Monday at 12 a.m. EST to comment. I’ll pick the winner randomly and let you know who won next week.

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful comments so far!

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful comments on the post introducing Karen’s book about weight loss, weight gain and weightlessness! Remember you can still comment and be eligible to win a copy of her book until this Sunday, 12 a.m. EST.

Today, we not only have another giveaway, but a fantastic interview with Katie from Health for the Whole Self. Katie is also a good friend and a blogger I’ve admired for a long time! She always writes eloquently and honestly about issues like body image, the culture of thinness and intuitive eating.

Recently, Katie has written an e-book that provides 30 strategies to overcome emotional eating. I purchased the e-book, and absolutely loved it. Not only is it well written, relatable and thoughtful, but it’s packed with valuable tools. It’s a book that you’ll return to regularly. You can learn more about the book and how to get it here.

Below, Katie talks about her own struggles, what helped her to overcome emotional eating, her favorite tools and more. Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

The details on the giveaway: Katie is giving one e-copy away! Just comment below on today’s post or tomorrow’s post (for part two). You have ’til next Monday at 12 a.m. EST to comment. I’ll pick the winner randomly and let you know who won next week. I’ll also email the winner.