A Healthy Self-image
| Hello! The desire to constantly diet and maintain a thin body is associated with eating disorders both affecting unhealthy relationships with food and body image. No, it doesn’t work to starve yourself, skip meals, just eat salad, eat bars as meal replacements, or eat peanut butter and crackers for a meal. Healthy weight loss and body image include nourishing oneself, self-care/love, and letting go of a fear of eating. I know this first hand. When I was introduced to Ayurveda I constantly ate salads, skipped meals at time and was obsessed about being thin. I was constipated and fiery. Now I understand my “vata” was out of whack. The concept of cooked foods was foreign. However, as I began cooking kitcari and warm soups my body embraced the calm and nurturing aspect of eating this way. Then starting a family gave me the opportunity to learn to cook and nourish my children. It became a joy to create colorful and wholesome meals and to sit down and eat together. This was so healing. Ayurveda suggests salads in hot weather not all year round, and avoiding to skip meals and snack all day allowing the colon to empty before eating the next meal. Self-image involves more than just looking in the mirror at our bodies and judging ourselves. Creating a healthy self-image involves cultivating positive thoughts and feelings about yourself, regardless of external factors. Some steps? 1. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself as you would your good friend. Acknowledge your imperfections and love them. Remember that everyone has flaws. 2. Be aware of negative thinking. Try to catch them before they spiral downward. Meditation helps with this process. 3. Be aware of your strengths, talents and achievements. Recognize your uniqueness and celebrate it. 4. Take care of yourself by exercising, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and dressing in a way that makes you feel good. 5. Surround yourself with positive energy. Spend time with people who uplift you and support you. Getting professional help when eating disorders are serious can be helpful. But also be aware of the subtle ways eating disorders can affect your life and create the changes needed for your best self.with fierce love, Gedalia |