Gaining Body Confidence

Body confidence is a gift I have not because it came naturally to me, but because I cultivate it.  I expect health and I appreciate the shape and curves of my body. Simone de Beauvoir, a wonderful French groundbreaking feminist, said, “To lose confidence in one's body is to lose confidence in oneself.” I am ultimately all I have, so if I lose confidence in myself, I lose my connection to my inner wisdom and God. That I cannot let happen.  So I developed a personal practice which reconnects me to confidence.

1. Be in the expectation of health even when you are sick.  I watch over how I talk to myself.  If I get sick or notice something isn’t right in my health, I pay attention.  I do what is necessary - go to the doctor, rest, get more sleep, undergo treatment - but as I do it I constantly praise my body, I express confidence that it knows what to do to get better, and I trust what my intuition is telling me to do.  I do not scold myself for getting sick.  If I find myself criticizing myself, I immediately choose to replace that statement with a more positive one.
2. I realize I need to cooperate with my body.  I cannot expect health or healing if I am not doing my part: sleeping, reducing stress with meditation and stillness, and eating whole foods.  Sleep as well as you can.  Be still and slow down - without any special techniques slowing down will lower your stress. Eat vegetables and fruits mainly - they have the healing power in them. Everything else is to build your body (protein) or added energy. Vegetables and fruits help healing.
3. Every day I spend a few minutes looking at myself - taking myself in.  Best to do this before your shower or bath when you are alone and safe.  Take a moment.  Look at yourself and bathe your body with kind words.  Appreciate your arms, your legs, your curves, your skin, your eyes, your hair, your lips, your hands, your feet, your toes, your fingers. Say, “I love myself unconditionally. Thank you body for all the ways you serve me and help me to live my life. I appreciate you, I love you.”  

It is not an overnight transformation, but with daily practice of expectation, cooperation, and adoration you will develop more body confidence and find yourself moving through the world more confidently.  As you develop confidence, you will see greater health, ease in making changes you desire for yourself, and more outward confidence.

with love,
Julia
​xo