Raw food and Body Image: what do you love about yourself?

[kidkid]

Because this forum is about food (it is in many ways a diet forum), i also notice that there's a bit of emphasis on body image, weight loss, etc. Sometimes I feel pangs of empathy and pain when I see people struggling with body image even as they embrace a healthy lifestyle. Empathy, because I have always dealt with body image issues, pain because I don't wish that kind of psychological hardship on anyone including myself.

I just experienced a really wonderful moment. I was undressing for a shower and I happened to glance in the mirror and instead of the nagging voice that says "Oh, you're kind of fat" or whatever it usually says, I was struck by how beautiful I was. I was beautiful and unique and funny and idiosyncratic in my build, in the shape of my face and hair and my stomach and arms and legs. I was overcome by a tender love. You know when you're in love with someone and even their imperfections become beautiful and cherished? That was how I suddenly felt about myself, like I didn't want me to change. I was just totally happy with me.

I have to attribute some of this to my new way of eating and thinking. I haven't lost weight and I don't think I've changed much outwardly since going raw, but I HAVE noticed a HUGE change in my attitude, mood, outlook -- I'm just happier! And tonight it manifested in self esteem, in a very cute and funny patient love for myself, freckles fat and all.

I wanted to share this feeling and maybe start a thread based on what we LOVE about ourselves, as opposed to what we wish to change or heal or make better -- it could be what we love about our bodies, or our minds, our relationships, our skills or our souls. What do you love about you?

[Gaius]

Is it bad that I imagined a beautiful woman coming out of the shower instead of thinking about what I love about myself?

[kidkid]

no it's not bad. The mention of nudity always has its associations and I knew it might be provocative in some way. But I'm being sincere here. I think people should celebrate themselves.:)

[Gaius]

I know, I'm just teasing.

[ViolinCyndee]

I am not 'up to' that.. Still overly-critical of my body..

[kidkid]

most days I am too. Sometimes it's really hard to feel good about my body. But I can usually find something that I like -- the other day for instance I really liked my eyebrows. You don't have to suddenly wake up and love every detail about yourself -- that might be asking too much. But start small, and feel good!

[Eva]

I am doing a Bikram yoga challenge and have no choice but to stare at myself in the mirror for about 90 minutes every day. I'm getting used to it. I've stopped looking at others in the class, stopped feeling any level of self consciousness. It's just me and the mirror and the postures. No more comparison to another person that is SUPER strong, just me.

I must say, it is much nicer to just be happy with myself.

There is a song that comes on the Christian radio stations a lot these days that rings with me, "There could never be a more beautiful you." The lyrics are lovely. I don't want to delve into the religious side of it, but it is comforting having the thought that I was made as I am, no more, no less.

Thanks for this thread.

Ha, by the way, the specific thing I love about myself now is my legs.

[artgirly4]

A lot of what I post is about personal growth and developing as a person. Most times I mention loving oneself. I see that as the FIRST place to start, even though for some it is easier than for others.

I love the inner transformational shift the most!!!

As for skin I am in, I am thrilled with raw power!! I love my body in such a healthy way. I see my body as when I was 25(and I am double that) because it is that youthful. I am thin and although wearing previously size 12,now 7/8 and still getting fitter. I am not my weight nor my size at all!!!

So what I love about me is: that I am(all boiled(sorry) down and to the bottom line, with all the stuff stripped bare) love and compassion. think I shall make this the subject of my blog today its sooo good.

pix of me dancin my heart out.(the one on the left haha)

[Raisingplenty]

Eva, I love that song too. I also find that when I practice yoga, I tend to be more connected with my body which gives me more of an appreciation for it. I think many of us tend to not be connected with our bodies and so it is easier for us to criticize it. It's almost like it's not a part of us. So we try to change our bodies(we think this is easier than changing our thoughts) instead of trying to change how we think about our bodies. This is true at least for me. Sometimes when I start thinking about beauty I wonder, who defines it? Why not define it yourself-You are beautiful! That is a wonderful thought.
Crystal

[contessa20]

Physically, I love my eyes and face. More importantly though, since I've been raw I've learned to love myself as a whole. There are LOTS of body parts that I dislike the looks of naked but I've learned to love ME as a person regardless.

[snoops]

I hope to get there someday soon.

[artgirly4]

snoops...you will!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Because this forum is about food (it is in many ways a diet forum),

What do you love about you?

First off... I've never thought about this forum as a diet forum. Not once. Ever. Unless you are using the term in the way it's actually meant... as a way of eating/feeding your body rather than a way to release weight/fad. For me... this is my life. It's the way I eat, it's the way I live.

And... what do I love about me? I started a thread like this awhile ago... I soooooo agree with celebrating where you are and who are in this moment, cause heck, it's all we really have!

So what do I love...

I love my hair - the way I can style it with my hands, no products at all.
I love my feet! They are so much smaller and thinner than they used to be and I've always loved my feet... but I love them more now.
I love my wrists. I don't remember them being this beautiful before... but I notice them now.

I sooooooo love my collarbones!!! I reach up and feel them all the time. So cool to feel my bones.

I love my skin. The blemishes from the last twenty years are gone and my skin is glowing.
I love my eyes. Especially my fasting eyes!!! Sooooo blue and clear.
I love my body... my butt, breasts, ab, hips... the package.

(((hugs)))

[freelive]

Our bodies are so much more than just fat amount or muscle shape.
Actually I have my rampage of gratitude for my body on Abe forum, where I write regularly, here are the snipets from it.

I love my body for:

feeling so comfortable and healthy

bringing me from place to place

allowing me to feel physical pleasures like touch, taste, smell, sight, movement, sounds

being so dependable

taking care of itself without me putting much thought about it

for all of the parts of my body working in unison- truly best aparatus there is

for my body reacting right away, when I make healthy choices - and never scolding me for my previous choices. Always doing the best it can under the conditions.

for loving me always

For my fingers learning quickly new combinations on the guitar, and my voice for singing - I have so much fun with this. I just never realized how much fun my physical body allows me!

I appreciate my body for planting beautiful tomatoe and cucumber seedlings in my community garden plot(and my nose smelling warm soil smell). And then planting some flowers for hummingbirds in my balcony. You, my body, rock! I do so many fun things because of you.

I appreciate the cozy warm feeling my body feels today at home, when outside is sooo coooold and wiiiiindy. And also my warm casmere blend sweater - so soft and incredibly warm

.....I LOVE myself because I am a beautiful and wonderful expression of Source energy expressing in this physical dimension through this wonderful, awesome body.

I appreciate my body healing a cut on my toe so quickly and beautifully.

Also, now when I learned to trust my body, I see how wise it is. Before If wouldn't feel like eating, I would eat anyway just so my metabolism wouldn't slow down, and if I would want ot eat more one day- I would feel bad about doing that too. Now I trust my body to make the best choices, and I feel great. My body is much wiser than experts. And I feel so free. I don't even count repetitions in my work out anymore - my body knows the best how long to do and what that day. Thank you, my gorgeous and wise body!

I appreciate my ears for hearing all the beautiful music and talking, and Daniel's laughter.
I appreciate my hair being so playful in the wind - naughty hair, I love you.

Food is my friend now. And my body is my friend too. Now I trust it to make the best food and other choices. Believe it or not- now my body loves to exercise. I can feel electricity running through my body as I compliment it.

I am in love with my body now!
I appreciate my musles getting stronger- I love feeling my body. I enjoy work out dvd variety I have, so I allow my body to choose any or even a combination of them. It is so much fun to move. I love it!

I love feeling wind on the beach. And my fingers running on the guitar strings.

Hey, my gorgeous body, now we are having fun!

[Colorawdo girl]

Hmmmm... I love my heart and my every other lil part.



A POEM ABOUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT ME

My hands and that I use them to create, paint and love.

My eyes that I can take in all the colors above,


My legs and feet that carry me through,

My ears....cute lil ears that can hear I love you .


My arms that hug and carry lil ones.

My face that can feel the wind and the sun.



But especially my heart which is my biggest part!