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The Essence of You: Nurturing Girls to Embrace Their Bodies
by Team Empowered Motherhood
March 16, 2022
Many experts refer to today’s mothers as “Weight Watchers daughters,” a term that encapsulates those of us who may have attended meetings or heard our mothers discuss diets and weight loss. Raise your hand if you recall those 20-minute workout videos from childhood. Same here!
As we take on the role of mothers ourselves, it’s crucial to reshape the conversation surrounding our bodies, eating habits, and body image. In a recent episode of Live.Work.Thrive, a panel of experts explored how we can revamp our language, attitudes, and lifestyle practices to foster safe and supportive environments for both our daughters and sons, allowing them to cultivate a healthy self-image and lifestyle.
The panel featured Dr. Emily Sanders, a prominent body image specialist and author, who provided practical advice for discussing food in the home. Her message is clear: avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” and never impose food restrictions. According to Sanders, even if dinner isn’t finished, dessert is still on the table. Dr. Sanders has recently published a book titled Being You: The Body Image Book for Everyone.
Joining her was body positivity advocate Alex Rivera, who tackled the damaging norms many of us grew up with, including the idea of dieting and restricting food from children. Instead of limitation, experts suggest that we offer kids a variety of healthy options and allow them to make their own choices regarding meals and snacks. Additionally, body confidence advocate Lisa James shared insights on the specific challenges Black women and girls face regarding body image.
The consensus among experts is to eliminate discussions of body weight altogether. A recommended phrase is, “Your body is exactly the size it’s meant to be.” The panelists stressed the importance of keeping conversations about healthy eating separate from weight discussions. Elite fitness coach Maya Thompson shared her personal journey, which began with a focus on weight loss but ultimately shifted to embracing her inner strength. Maya elaborated on her evolution into a fitness icon in her new book, Speak, which is available now.
For further insights into breaking outdated cycles and empowering our girls to achieve body confidence and healthy living, watch the full event here. If you’re interested in more topics like this, check out this blog post on Home Insemination Kit, and for authoritative information, visit Intracervical Insemination. Additionally, March of Dimes is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Potential Search Queries:
- How to promote body confidence in girls
- Healthy eating for children
- Body image issues in teens
- Positive body image parenting tips
- Creating a supportive environment for children
In summary, it is essential to change the narrative surrounding body image and eating habits for the next generation. By fostering a supportive environment and encouraging healthy discussions, we can empower our children to embrace their bodies and cultivate a positive self-image.