I want you to think about your body as one of your children
or someone else you love dearly. When was the last time
this person did or said something that really made you mad?
In that moment, you might have been thinking “I really
don’t like this person right now.” However,
did his behavior cause you to stop loving him? Absolutely
not! My teenager regularly acts in a way that I do not like,
but I still love him. I will protect him, do what I think
is best for him, and give him what he needs.
Now let’s return to your body. How often do you look
at your body and think, “I do not like my legs, my
hips, my butt (or whatever)”? I admit it. I do not
like my thicker waist that came from my second child and
being over 40. Okay fine, so it also comes from sometimes
eating too much of the wrong foods and not exercising consistently.
It’s one thing to dislike your body. It’s something
completely different to have an attitude of hatred or disgust
towards your body. This attitude will cause you to mistreat
your body instead of loving and honoring your body.
Your body, with all its imperfections, is sacred. It is
the only body you have been given for your entire life.
Your body houses all the organs that keep you alive. It
gets you around from place to place. Your body pumps oxygen
to the brain that enables you to feel, think, create and
function. You need to take care of your body like any relationship
with a loved one. Loving and respecting your body requires
the same ingredients. So what can you give to your body
that you would give someone you love?
1. Daily Attention
To nurture a relationship, you need to pay attention to
what it needs. If you ignore your loved one for a long period
of time, what happens? The relationship begins to die. In
order to grow my relationship with my little guy, he needs
daily doses of conversation, playtime with me, and cuddling.
In order to thrive, your body needs adequate sleep, proper
nutrition, exercise, and plenty of water everyday. You wouldn’t
go for a week without talking to your child or husband,
so why would you go for a week giving your body 4-5 hours
of sleep a night or regularly feeding your body foods with
no nutrition? Love your body by staying conscious about
how you treat it on a daily basis.
2. Spend Time and Listen
In order to get to know someone you love, you need to
spend time together. Your body is the same way. It will
communicate with you if you only listen. Your body will
tell you when it is hungry and when it is full. It will
tell you when it is tired and needs to relax. If you are
getting sick a lot, your body is screaming at you. It is
trying to get your attention. When you exercise, your body
will begin to hurt if you push too hard. Or maybe you are
short of breath from lack of exercise or being overweight.
That is your body’s way of communicating that it is
working too hard. Pay attention to the cues your body sends
you. Respond to them and see them as signs that something
needs to change. Someone I know says to people, “If
you ignore your health, it will leave you.” And so
will your husband.
3. Special Treats
Sometimes you give your loved ones special treats to show
you love them. You don’t give them everyday because
then they wouldn’t be special. Your body needs special
treats too. Treat yourself to a massage, a facial, new clothes,
or a mocha latte every once in awhile. When I was a teenager,
my mom and I used to go running on the local school track.
Afterwards, we went to this awesome ice cream shop and treated
ourselves to a scrumptious sundae. We didn’t overindulge
all the time…just once in awhile. Special treats help
banish feelings of deprivation.
4. Grace
How many times does your loved one say “I’m
sorry”? And how many times do you forgive him or her?
We all need grace at times, and so do you when it comes
to taking care of your body. Maybe you do really well on
your diet or exercise plan for two weeks, and then you fall
off the wagon. For one whole week, you don’t exercise
and you don’t follow a healthy eating plan. That’s
okay! Forgive yourself and get back on track. You don’t
have to completely abandon your plan because you didn’t
follow it perfectly.
5. Have Fun!
Taking care of and loving your body doesn’t have
to be drudgery. Have fun! Find new low-fat recipes that
contain your favorite foods. Adjust your attitude toward
your health and your body. Exercise is only boring if you
view it that way. Find activities you love that exercise
your body. When I was in Las Vegas this past month, I was
taking a walk in a local family park. I watched a dad and
his two children having the time of their life. They were
riding their bikes and dad was leading the way. He created
an obstacle course that required the kids to ride in circles,
up and down ramps, over the grass, and around various walkways.
They were laughing and having a blast, while exercising
their body. This dad knew the value of adding fun to a healthy
routine.
So, here’s to good health and loving your body even
if you don’t like it!
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About the Author
Lori Radun, CEC - Certified Life Coach for moms. Lori
writes a FREE monthly ezine for moms who want coaching and
encouragement on living peaceful, balanced and fulfilling
lives. To subscribe, go to http://www.true2youlifecoaching.com
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