Everyones answer to self love of your body!

[Firicia]

Hey everyone.

I just had this inspired thought that we could share the things we've learned along our journey to self love of our amazing body.

I know so many people (myself included) are so hard on ourselves for not being perfect. We hide, cover ourselves up, stuff down our feelings with food.

So along your journey, if you could say a few things to someone who is struggling to love thier body, what would you say?

I want you to be positive about our amazing gift of a body, to share how to better love oneself, accept ones body, and feel appreciation for it.


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What I have learned so far about my body is that spending my time not living life because I am over-weight is silly. I almost gave up going on a fantastic vacation with my friends because I knew I couldn't be perfect looking for it.

I also believe that we think people are judging us way more than they are. Also that I don't want to look perfect for someone who judges people anyways, so why bother worrying about what they think?


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Anyways I hope this thread catches on, I think it'll be amazing to look at our bodies in a different light.:)

[Eva]

I had a pooch, and it's gone thanks to raw food. I had tummy troubles, they're gone. I had pretty decent acne, and it's gone too.

I'm still not "perfect." I've been wearing some makeup lately to cover my acne scars. They were still there this morning, but I looked in the mirror and told myself (not in the cheesy self-help way) that I'm still beautiful. And I went out to breakfast with some friends with no makeup on at all. And it felt pretty good to be so comfortable in my own skin.

We can choose to zoom in on our scars or extra weight or whatever else... or we can choose to enjoy the skin we're in and the life we live.

I hope that when I wake up tomorrow morning, I will again look in the mirror to see my beauty not my scars. It's tough to do until the habit is really created, and I'm up for the challenge!

[RawHeaven]

I think it gets to the core of understanding we are not our bodies, that we are souls or spirits in our bodies. Our bodies are the vehicles we use to travel through our physical existence and life. The better you take care of it, the better your experience. I think fundamentally this is at the core of self-loathing, not understanding this simple truth.

When you get this, the rest falls effortlessly into place.

You come to be in awe of your body, how effortlessly it moves through the mechanics of it's systems. How it begins with black and white particles to atoms to cells to tissues to organs. And then everything in between. Our anatomy is amazing! All bodies are BEAUTIFUL, no matter what their shape, size or condition. They are all MIRACLES.

I have so much appreciation and love for my body. I know it's working hard for me! This is how I look at it personally and this is how I've healed my own body image issues. I didn't always feel this way, I was always pinching the bulge on my tummy and scrunching my eyebrows together. I would look in the mirror and think my hips were too wide, arms too big, breasts were saggin' you name it. My poor body could do nothing right! lol. I would always be amazed at guys being attracted to the very things I didn't like about myself. I was not able to connect the dots that they were seeing the beauty I was unable to see based on some preconceived notion that I had to fit into someone else's body type! ha. There is a lot of freedom in loving your body and peace of mind too.


In answer to your question, I would share with someone who is struggling with their body image to really appreciate what their body is doing for them day in and day out without asking for anything in return. Except that it be treated with respect and nourished with great food, lots of sunshine and unconditional LOVE. I would tell them to love every bump, scar, fat bulge, blemish and characteristic. It makes your body unique, it's your special blueprint.

http://www.navanita.net/images/leaning.jpg

[StarFire]

golly.... great question.

I've been raw 10 months now - and I've learned so much... so what would I say...hmmmm.... well...

Your body is wonderfully made -- but it is only your 'earth suit' - what your spirit wears while you are here in this dimension -- walking upon this earth.

We take care of our clothes, (our favorite jeans - or blouse...) we take care of our car (washing it, making sure it has the proper kind of gasoline, make sure it has water, that the battery is charged...) well -- our bodies deserve this and soo much more.

but the journey starts within... once we learn to love ourselves and who we truly are -- once we learn to appreciate how special we are....

remember -- we are not what other people tell us we are -- but instead - we are what WE discover within ourselves... it's a magical journey discovering how amazing and special we are... when we find this person -- then we will begin to truly appreciate the outside -- the earth suit. Once we learn to love ourself - we will love all of us and that includes the outside too...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/eyes-colors.gif .... see who you truly are... an Amazing and Powerful Spirit having a human experience... rawk on!

[DavidZaneMason]

You body is similar, in concept, to the NOW moment. There is only one....and it's the only game in town. It may change its form and story. You may not LIKE it....or APPROVE of it. You may COMPARE it to other moments and other bodies. You may run it through the wringer with poor foods and stress. But getting off the fence, and identifying one's passions....and pursuing them with intelligent and reckless abandon...... brings new life to the body, emotions, mind and soul. Just my opinions.

-David Z. Mason

[Vivafree2]

Despite all i know and red and what i should say about it now i can not honestly say that i like myself when with people and yes it stops me from many things. Despite how much i talk to self in positive way the self image doesn't change. I can have great vacations and even good date, but at one point something always reminds me how i am not "as good as" someone else. And it is a boyfriend, a boss, an aunt, a friend who use the words. Self acceptance comes by decision? For me the belief needs to installed once more. I am ok in my skin, but i wouldn't parade in the swimsuit, i do not like my own pictures. I guess it will dramatically change if i will know that i do look good in this swimsuit.

[lore-ah]

This is the second thread that has given me waves of inspiration and made me smile this morning. You guys are the BEST.

Sorry I don't have a contribution; I came to this thread looking for help as well.

[EZ rider]

I feel that my body is a precious gift that I don't want to waste on bad habits, poor nutrition and negativity.

[boxerfamily]

Firicia, you are amazing to have put this idea into words that express so aptly what I struggle with every single day. Even though these posts have made me cry, they are tears of relief. Thank you. I don't really have anything to offer either because I have been hating my body for almost 41 years. My birthday is next week. Growing up it was because I had psoriasis. That is gone now. It used to come back, but now it doesn't because I am raw. I have struggled with eating disorders all my life and now I have diabetes and am overweight. Hating one's body can be so debilitating. I am printing out this thread and putting a copy in my room, the kitchen, and my purse. Maybe that will help me when I am feeling especially down on myself.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It's funny how you never know when your words can have a profound effect on someone else's life as yours have had an effect on mine.

[maui_butterfly]

fact is our bodies are always perfect. 500 lbs, 105 lbs, perfect. its our thoughts that make us suffer. bodies don't have any problems with themselves. they don't beat themselves up or shame themselves. they simply try to keep themselves balanced and healthy. efficient, smart, complex, amazing machines.

i am as guilty as anyone of often waiting to truly live "until"... until my body is thinner, until my house is clean, until i have more money, until later. what if later never comes? what if i never arrive? i don't want to spend my life like a hampster on a wheel. its all well and good to pursue better health and fitness and all those things, but i know from experience that won't ever make me feel free. the mind is the true frontier, the only place peace and happiness with our bodies can be found. free yourself from the thoughts about how your body (or your bank account or whatever) should be different then it is RIGHT NOW and you free yourself today. that's a freedom that is accessible to everyone, fat people, skinny people, old people, young people, sick people, healthy people, poor people, rich people, "raw" people, "cooked" people.

how would you live today if you were incapable of thinking the thought "i should be thinner/healthier/prettier/younger"? would you be lighter, would you smile more, would you flirt, would you dance?

[rawnpawgirl]

I am so grateful for this post and others like it. I am grateful for a community of other beautiful spirits who are seeking to know themselves at a more conscious level, to love deeper, to eradicate negativity and judgement....

Some posts REALLY HIT me right in the heart and this is one of them. When I feel my solar plexus tighten and tears come to my eyes, I know I better darn well PAY ATTENTION.

I have been HATING myself body, face, you name it for 41 years! I can't even tell you how many hours of my life I have stood in front of the mirror loathing myself. Look at that cellulite, oh my gosh, look at that mole, those laugh lines, brow furrow, fat bulge, etc. It is so hard for me to look in the mirror and see anything good or to compliment myself. I saddens me deeply and I don't want to waste any more time berating myself. I am a worthy and beautiful being. I would never do that to another person!!! I can easily look past other peoples physical "flaws" but refuse to give myself that same respect and grace. I truly believe that I have attracted wrinkles, bad health, etc BECAUSE of my mean thoughts towards my beautiful body who just wants to do me right!!

I am a firm believer in that WE ARE NOT ARE BODIES--but obviously this is has been more head knowledge than Heart knowledge. I have a difficult time letting this sink in- TRULY sink in.

Thank you so much for this reminder!