How Well Do You Love Your Body?

Whatever our gender, when temperatures increase, the amount of clothing decreases and our bodies are typically more on display. Many of us feel particularly vulnerable if our bodies are even a fraction shy of the unrealistic, inhumane culturally defined perfect 10.

Your perception and treatment of yourself strongly influences the way others perceive and treat you. Research shows that self-criticism and self-loathing are actually detrimental in helping us make substantial, sustainable changes that will support healthier ways of living. Fear-and force-fueled tactics may produce short-term results, but they don’t anchor the type of long-term physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing we seek.

To free yourself from the destructive cycle of self-abuse, focus on the ways your body serves you—and how you can better serve it. Your answers to the following questions will help reveal additional opportunities to harness the power of respect, curiosity, compassion and gratitude to nurture, encourage and delight yourself in healthy ways—always and in all ways.

True or False

I appreciate that my arms enable me to hold someone I love, that my thighs enable me to run.

I wear comfortable clothes that I really like and that feel good to my body, rather than trying to hide or camouflage my body or following uncomfortable fashion trends.

I consider myself as a whole person, not just as a body.

I do things that let me enjoy my body—dance, play, take a hot bath, walk, get a massage.

I think and behave as I would if my body were perfect.

I notice that the appearance of people I admire is unimportant to their kindness, compassion and accomplishments.

I do things I enjoy and don’t let my weight or shape stop me.

At night, I tell my body how much I appreciate what it has allowed me to do throughout the day.

I exercise to feel good and love my body, not to feel perfect or worthy.

I count my blessings, not my blemishes.

I think of my body as a source of pleasure.

I only wear comfortable clothes that help me express who I am at my core: worthy, wise, creative, powerful and beautiful.

I consider myself the expert on my body, not the fashion magazines, the cosmetics industry or the weight tables.

I am as “in love” with my body as an infant is.

I think of my body as a tool, as an instrument of my life, not just as an ornament.

I show up as my body’s ally and advocate, not its enemy.

I listen to my body and take its needs and wishes into consideration when making decisions.

I refuse to squander my energy in criticizing my body or worrying about my appearance, and instead spend my time on something more precious or productive.

When someone says, “You look great today,” I enthusiastically respond, “Thank you so much!”

We may find ourselves more appreciative of our bodies and ourselves if we aim for lifestyle mastery, rather than mastery over our body, weight, or appearance. Lifestyle mastery is about cultivating our unique gifts, tapping into our potential, expressing ourselves, fostering meaningful relationships, turning obstacles into opportunities and contributing to the greater good for all, in all, through all.

Author’s content adapted under license, © 2008 Claire Communications

FREE Coaching Opportunity
($250 VALUE)

If someone offered you a precious gift for an hour of your time, would you be interested? That’s what I offer with a Complimentary Coaching Session. A comp session isn’t a brief demo or sample. It’s a full 45-minute coaching session focused on current real life challenges of your choosing plus 15 minutes to discuss your experience and any questions you may have about my approach to coaching.

There is no expectation or pressure to hire me as your ongoing coach. Providing meaningful, substantive comp sessions with no obligation is one of the ways I demonstrate gratitude and give back to the Universe a small portion of the abundance and opportunity it bestows on me daily.

The real value of a comp session? PRICELESS!

Those who have experienced comp sessions will tell you, when you come to your session open to the possibilities for transformation and fully committed to your own growth, big breakthroughs can happen!

What clients say about
the power of coaching with Deborah

“I knew Deborah before she became a Professional Life Coach. I’ve been amazed at how she has changed her life. When I decided it was time to begin making decisions about the next phase of my life, I knew immediately that Deborah was the person I wanted to work with. Her personal and professional experiences help her guide clients through coaching in a way that is individualized and delightfully eye-opening. Her warmth and sensitivity are immediately apparent, even over the phone. With gentle encouragement and permission, she will guide you through an examination of your life, including difficult experiences. She will help you gain insight from your past choices and then explore possibilities for moving forward in less encumbered ways. When you work with Deborah, your life will take on new meaning and your potential will be limitless!” Chris

“The work I did with Deborah continues to change my life. While I have learned many valuable lessons from her, the greatest was the deep insight that is available to me when I listen to and learn from my own inner wisdom. Her intuition, discernment and encouragement have taught me to trust my own intuition—creating new paths and possibilities for my life. One of Deborah’s great gifts is helping others respect and connect with their inner guidance and through that connection, to form a deeper, more meaningful bond with the collective wisdom and energy of all.” Ryan

Click here to sign up for a 60-minute
complimentary coaching session with Deborah.

What readers say about
the impact of Deborah’s book

“With the same energy and determination she applied in the professional world, Deborah has taken her considerable expertise in human potential and has now set her sights on the largest co-op in the world, humanity. ‘Choose Your Energy, Change Your Life!’ tackles what I believe are the most important questions we each must ask: who am I, where did I come from, why am I here, and what’s love got to do with it (cue Tina Turner)? These are not trivial or philosophical questions for the answers change what we do, why we do it, who and what we love. I am grateful for the opportunity to walk with Deborah on this critical journey.” JD Messenger, Award Winning Author of “11 Days in May: The Conversation That Will Change Your Life”

“To me the great thing about Deborah’s book is how ‘accessible’ she makes the ideas. The Oxygen Mask is probably the single best example. As with so many of the ideas in the book, she explains the principle in such a simple way that it’s got universal application to virtually any reader. I can imagine people having multiple moments of ‘Oh….I get it!’ throughout the book. The stories from her own life as well as stories of her clients’ experiences become stories about all of us—stories about which the reader will think, ‘I am living my own version of this.’ Well done—bravo!” Joe Calloway, Author of “Be The Best At What Matters Most”