Esther has spent her career working in underserved communities providing nutrition education and counseling to individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS. In addition to being a clinical dietitian, Esther volunteers and serves as a mentor for Complete Girlz Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, motivating, and empowering young women, as well as Diversify Dietetics, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the racial and ethnic diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering nutrition leaders of color. Check out her work and learn more here.
I’ve come to embrace each part of my body throughout the years as my journey has been one of self-discovery. I realize that this vessel that animates and gives physical presence to the person I’ve become is nature’s art and it’s continually changing. It’s easier to accept others just as they are and they generally return the favor in healthy relationships, but are we mindful to care for the relationship we form with our own bodies?
It’s possible to experience body positivity by falling in love with our favorite body parts. Maybe you love the shape of your eyes or hands, but you don’t like the shape of your toes. We can feel body neutrality and not assign judgment one way or the other. Body acceptance means that you accept your body as it is, even if you’re not always happy with every part of every minute of the day.
We may also fall into occasional body shaming when we feel judged by others and believe their words. We all have ups and downs, but when we truly understand the benefits of our bodies, it’s difficult to not feel blessed. I’m loving the place of comfort I’ve gained with my own body appreciation, and want to share ten loving your body quotes to help you consider the wonders of your body as it is right now.
10. “Loving Your Body Fills Your Soul With Confidence”
Love to Know shares five pearls of wisdom, exhorting that our bodies are amazing temples that house the essence of the soul. As such, they present a visual representation of what’s inside. We choose how to use this gift of physical existence and it sends definitive messages to others around us. Do you know that our bodies cue other people about what’s going on inside? When you’re happy, it shows in the way you move, and the expressions in your eyes and face, and when you’re confident about your body, it comes across in the way you stand. When you love your body it boosts the soul. The people around you will sense your confidence, but more importantly, you feel comfortable in your skin, and content with who you are without feeling the need to make changes to feel good.
9. “Give Your Body the Love and Respect It Deserves”
The body works around the clock to supply the features and functions that help you make your way in the world. Your beating heart gives you life, and your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and fingers, the ability to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. Your legs and feet carry you where you want to go and your arms, hands, and fingers allow you to take the things you want, hold, and embrace. Your eyes show the beauty of your soul, your back carries heavy loads and your tongue allows you to speak the things that are on your mind. Your body deserves care and nurturing through healthy foods that give you the nutrients to keep your body systems running at peak performance. Get a massage to relax tense muscles, or take a hot bath with your favorite essential oils to pamper and show your body that it’s loved and valued as a part of the beautiful person you are.
8. “Appreciate the Uniqueness of Your Body”
There’s nobody exactly like you in the world. You are unique from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. You call on your body to do your bidding and help you more fully enjoy each day of your life. It’s there for you when you want to get out on the dance floor, sing a song, paint a picture, or hold your significant other in a loving embrace. Without each part of your body, you’re just a spectator in life. The body allows us to participate in the fun and enjoyable activities we love fully. It gives your soul mobility and helps you to engage in life.
7. “Your Body is Where You Live and You Set the Rules”
Your body belongs to you and nobody else. It’s entirely up to you to decide how to feel about your body, how to care for it, and whether you want to make changes or keep it as it is today. Your attitudes about your body do not need to depend on anyone else’s input or opinions because yours is the one that matters.
Body acceptance and body neutrality are great – they may seem like foreign concepts, but they can help create some protection and safety from all of the noise that diet culture puts out there.
6. “Build a Powerful Body Image One Positive Thought at a Time”
If it’s important to you to improve your feelings about your body image, you can do it. Make progress in gaining a positive body image with one positive thought at a time. But remember, you don’t need to have positive thoughts about your body, ALL the time. That’s not realistic. Think about the features that you like the most, and jot down the positives. Look for the benefits of your various body parts and how they serve you. What do you value the most about your body? Consider how your body works on your behalf to help you enjoy your life to foster true appreciation.
5. “You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”
Louise Hay was a renowned author and founder of the publisher HayHouse, who understood what it means to grow in appreciation of the body you own. She recommends looking at a new approach to body acceptance. Instead of body shaming yourself, begin to approve of your body as it is today. Sometimes it’s beneficial to let go of old outworn habits that keep you down. She dares us to try self-approval to reap the benefits. You may recognize this quote, we mention it in the Way app, in the “Self-Talk” session of the Mindful Shifts Pathway.
4. “Hating our bodies is something that we learn, and it sure as hell is something that we can unlearn.”
Megan Jayne Crabbe is another well known figure for vulnerably and unapologetically sharing her story and journey recovering from anorexia, who’s always down to throw in a real thought about body image. She discovered that body hatred is a learned behavior. We’re not born that way, but influences from society such as unrealistic advertisements of the perceived ideal body can deceive us into thinking we don’t measure up to established standards. Our bodies are wonderfully diverse and each is beautiful in its own way, similar to wildflowers in a meadow. If they all looked the same, the image would become boring. It’s good to contribute to variety by embracing your uniqueness in the human race. Realizing how society shapes our perceptions and beliefs is the first step in dispelling common myths and unlearning habits that are counterproductive to our health and happiness.
3. “Everybody has a part of her body that she doesn’t like, but I’ve stopped complaining about mine because I don’t want to critique nature’s handiwork…My job is simply to allow the light to shine out of the masterpiece.”
Actress Alfre Woodard understands that there are parts of the body that she doesn’t like, and that’s okay, but she has also gained the knowledge that we’re each unique and special. This is a perfect way to get to the root of body neutrality. There’s no reason to criticize our bodies because each individual is uniquely crafted. She views the body as a “masterpiece” and she allows her inner beauty to shine through to others without judgment or criticism of the vessel that contains her true self. Her words encourage us to accept the body as a whole, even if there are aspects we do not like. Well said, Alfre!
2. “My weight? It is what it is. You could get hit by a bus tomorrow. It’s about being content. And sometimes other priorities win.”
Actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy has a beautiful soul that shines through her equally beautiful body. She’s been up and down with her weight, and she is always beautiful. The main insight she share here is the basis for so much joy in life – being grateful. Life is precious, fragile, and it’s not guaranteed. So, she accepts her body as it is at any given point in life, without trying to imitate anybody else when it comes to her figure or her weight. She focuses on what’s truly important to her. Her weight is not always an issue in her mind. She’s not wasting any time wishing she looked different because she knows what she values.
1. “Do not apologize for your sacred body. All of you is holy.”
Ashley Asti sees the beauty in everyone and esteems the body as the sacred temple housing the soul. When it comes to your body, no apologies are needed. You don’t need to be spiritual or religious to appreciate your body. Just remember that you may not like one part of your body, but all parts of your body are connected – all of them do something (even if you aren’t aware of that truth), and therefore they are worthy of your gratefulness for them.
We can feel neutral about our bodies and not assign judgment or feel that there are traits we’re not happy with, but accept the body as a whole, as is. It’s not necessary to force yourself to adopt body positivity. You can be happy with yourself as you move toward personal life goals. Body acceptance lets you love yourself just as you are in this very moment.
Hope these quotes give you a little something to think about today, and help you say “thank you” to your body along the way.