Conquering negative body image- Finally At Home In My Body
Conquering negative body image- Finally At Home In My Body
The last few years I have been considering my body with appreciation. It is the home of “me”.
Even more importantly, it is the home of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself 1 Corinthians 6:19
Tragically, I wasted decades hating my body. I fought with it, abused it. (More on this to come).
I didn’t appreciate this imperfect body because I had warped views of what beauty was. And I didn’t measure up, so I abused my body more.
An endless cycle.
I learned at a young age that I wasn’t as good, as pretty, as thin, as, well…just about anything.
I was not only as good, but even better than many at internalizing this pain.
Too bad I didn’t know that it was all a big lie.
Negative body image is self-destruction
A few years ago I decided to never diet again. Not a 15th sign up for Weight Watchers, no more books, programs, medicines. No more period! I refused to give eating that much time and attention, and by doing so strengthen the grip of self-destruction.
I refused to give eating that much time and attention, and by doing so strengthen the grip of self-destruction.
I do have weight to lose, and last year I lost about 25 lbs. It shocked me that what I had aspired to for decades was nothing like what I saw.
My fantasy hadn’t taken into account that at 42 I wouldn’t have a 20-year-old body.
So what? I am learning to not give a crap. I labeled myself with all the things I was so sure everyone else was thinking. And I know many of you do that too.
What a shame.
The perfection of an “imperfect” body
My butt might not be shapely, but it works great for sitting on. My skin is looser, but does a good job of holding me all “in”. My chin is double but my smile is warm.
My arms might wave that flag of extra poundage,, but they will hug you tight and you will know love. My belly is flabby but it did a fantastic job of carrying children.
So I look in the mirror now, naked, every day. I observe what isn’t lovely and then I thank God for it all. I say to myself, “You are one fine mamba jamba!”
I refuse to hate me ever again. If I do, aren’t I hating God’s creation as well?
I want to get healthy. For health’s sake, not just vanity. I want the Holy Spirit to feel comfortable, not be crowded with Swiss Rolls.
My marriage deserves to not have my body image not cause division. Let’s be frank, it does, always. I want to love my husband without false perceptions of how He sees me.
It is time to live freely.
I am finally at home in my body.
Love the body you are in
It has given me so much, it deserves the respect it has been created for.
I might have to refocus every day, but IT IS TIME! For all of us, today!
Love your body. And if stuff needs attending, do so. But don’t think you’ll love yourself more once you are thin. Those issues? They really have nothing to do with your body.
Skinny won’t fix it.
You know what will? The resident Spirit who freely counsels us, advises us, shows us where we need help. Ask Him.
And then, love the person inside your body. Want to read some specific tips on loving what you see when you look in the mirror? (sounds crazy, right?)Click here
Welcome yourself home, if you checked out mentally along the journey, clear out the cobwebs and hang a sign.
You are good enough already
This feels a little “Stuart Smalley” from that SNL skit. Looking in the mirror he loves positive affirmations.
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Great post, Christa. I was cheering throughout! I love the way you move from the weight and pressure of societal expectations through to seeing yourself freely as God sees us. There is much to celebrate in being fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Our bodies are temples for God’s Spirit and He accepts us just as we are, even as He works within to bring about transformation and change for the better. Our inner life is of far greater importance than our external appearance. Thank you for this breath of fresh air for women (and men, no doubt) everywhere. Blessings 🙂 xx
I love this, Christa! I’ve been telling myself the same thing. I will never look like a 20 something again. And I’m okay with that. My sixth child has more skin to play with on my neck than I have ever had with my other children. I’m okay with that too. I’m not suppose to look younger than I am right now. No amount of dieting, exercising, etc. will shrink my elasti-skin. 🙂 And I think being confident in our skin no matter how tight or loose it is makes us look beautiful to everyone else as well. I love the pictures you took for this post too. <3
All I can say is “Amen” to the whole post! It made me want to stand up and cheer. I am so tired of the 18 year old models pushing anti-wrinkle creams, our society’s obsession with youth and beauty, and the pressure to keep up with it all. My Pastor always says that beauty on the outside fades, but ugly on the inside lasts forever. I am nearly 50 years old and I have some wrinkles and various things. And yes, my kids love to play with my elbow skin. So what! I don’t think of them as wrinkles, but as battle scars. It just means I’ve been through some struggles, but God has brought me through them all!
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN again! As a “skinny,” people automatically assume that I am in love with my body. But at 30, and after 2 boys, I already don’t have the body I did at 20. Then again, I’m not the person I was at 20, so why should I look the same? I think it’s human nature to feel not good enough, and from the Lord to rest in being fearfully and wonderfully made. My favorite line from this post- “I am learning to not give a crap.” Continue to rock it, Miss Mamba Jamba;)
Amen SITStah! Visiting from SITS today and this is a wonderful post. We need to learn that we are beautiful, desirable and feminine no matter our weight!
Wonderful post! Very touching to me personally. I’ll be 50 this year and while I’ve always been the biggest girl in my family (a shame to be made to feel “fat” by my mom as a teen at 5’4″ 130 lbs) – I am healthy and have been a runner now for 15 years. I’m trying to learn your post’s lesson – I’m getting there.
Lisa, thank you for sharing! Those family connections are so hard to shake free, I truly understand. Good luck on your journey, and congrats on how far you have come
Really great post! I think somewhere around 90% of women hate their body. How tragic is that? Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing this TRUTH. I hope a lot of young women catch a hold of this and run with it.
I’m back because I went up to follow you on Google + and Twitter and couldn’t access them… just wanted you to know on such a special day, in case the problem isn’t coming from my end!!!
SO lovely to meet you!! I will come back and visit more later tonight!
Even though I am an atheist, I completely appreciate the point you are making here! Hating our bodies will get us nowhere pleasant. I recently wrote a similar post that includes my perspective of this issue. I’d be honored if you read it and shared your take. 🙂
Wonderful post! Usually all of us go through that, we measure ourselves with the wrong measuring stick and see ourselves through the wrong eyes. If we could only remember that we are precious to the Heart of eternal love, what a total difference there would be in our lives!
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This type of
clever work and coverage! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve included you guys to
my personal blogroll.
Great post, Christa. I was cheering throughout! I love the way you move from the weight and pressure of societal expectations through to seeing yourself freely as God sees us. There is much to celebrate in being fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Our bodies are temples for God’s Spirit and He accepts us just as we are, even as He works within to bring about transformation and change for the better. Our inner life is of far greater importance than our external appearance. Thank you for this breath of fresh air for women (and men, no doubt) everywhere. Blessings 🙂 xx
joy! What a wonderful commentary, thank you so much
I love this, Christa! I’ve been telling myself the same thing. I will never look like a 20 something again. And I’m okay with that. My sixth child has more skin to play with on my neck than I have ever had with my other children. I’m okay with that too. I’m not suppose to look younger than I am right now. No amount of dieting, exercising, etc. will shrink my elasti-skin. 🙂 And I think being confident in our skin no matter how tight or loose it is makes us look beautiful to everyone else as well. I love the pictures you took for this post too. <3
I bet your kids never give a thought to the elasti skin…until at least they say some “kid like” embarrassing statement 🙂
All I can say is “Amen” to the whole post! It made me want to stand up and cheer. I am so tired of the 18 year old models pushing anti-wrinkle creams, our society’s obsession with youth and beauty, and the pressure to keep up with it all. My Pastor always says that beauty on the outside fades, but ugly on the inside lasts forever. I am nearly 50 years old and I have some wrinkles and various things. And yes, my kids love to play with my elbow skin. So what! I don’t think of them as wrinkles, but as battle scars. It just means I’ve been through some struggles, but God has brought me through them all!
Your comment made my day, thanks Carol!
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN again! As a “skinny,” people automatically assume that I am in love with my body. But at 30, and after 2 boys, I already don’t have the body I did at 20. Then again, I’m not the person I was at 20, so why should I look the same? I think it’s human nature to feel not good enough, and from the Lord to rest in being fearfully and wonderfully made. My favorite line from this post- “I am learning to not give a crap.” Continue to rock it, Miss Mamba Jamba;)
Appreciate your input Morgan, love to have dialogue
And yes, Miss Mamba Jamba, I should get a shirt made
Amen SITStah! Visiting from SITS today and this is a wonderful post. We need to learn that we are beautiful, desirable and feminine no matter our weight!
Thanks, and keep writing about such an important topic Bonnie!
Wonderful post! Very touching to me personally. I’ll be 50 this year and while I’ve always been the biggest girl in my family (a shame to be made to feel “fat” by my mom as a teen at 5’4″ 130 lbs) – I am healthy and have been a runner now for 15 years. I’m trying to learn your post’s lesson – I’m getting there.
Lisa, thank you for sharing! Those family connections are so hard to shake free, I truly understand. Good luck on your journey, and congrats on how far you have come
Really great post! I think somewhere around 90% of women hate their body. How tragic is that? Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing this TRUTH. I hope a lot of young women catch a hold of this and run with it.
Appreciate that support!
ANOTHER one I LOVE!! Oh, I believe we are gonna be QUICK friends, girl! I am SO glad SITS featured you today! 🙂
I’m back because I went up to follow you on Google + and Twitter and couldn’t access them… just wanted you to know on such a special day, in case the problem isn’t coming from my end!!!
SO lovely to meet you!! I will come back and visit more later tonight!
Thanks for the insight Chris, I had no idea! I think we fixed it, looking forward to new friendships 🙂
Even though I am an atheist, I completely appreciate the point you are making here! Hating our bodies will get us nowhere pleasant. I recently wrote a similar post that includes my perspective of this issue. I’d be honored if you read it and shared your take. 🙂
~Holly
I Am Grateful
I will definitely check it out Holly, for me faith was a big part, but regardless of where we stand there…we as women have so much in common
Wonderful post! Usually all of us go through that, we measure ourselves with the wrong measuring stick and see ourselves through the wrong eyes. If we could only remember that we are precious to the Heart of eternal love, what a total difference there would be in our lives!
Isn’t that the truth! Thank you for joining the conversation!
Yes! Finally someօne writes about fast weight loss.
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This type of
clever work and coverage! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve included you guys to
my personal blogroll.
Thank you for sharing this post over at the Grace & Truth Link Up Party!