No Disrespect Here!

By Dilworth Now nutrition columnist Marian Bennett

Fabulous, beautiful, radiant, gorgeous, do those ring a bell?

In this day and age, women in particular are harped on so much about appearance and are subject to an inordinate amount of criticism. Words have such a strong and powerful meaning! 

Being healthy is about not only taking care of oneself through physical activity and eating a variety of fresh foods, but also mental and emotionally being kind to ourselves. 

“Fat” should be banned from the dictionary! It is a word that has such bad connotation and women especially use it way too often. 

If you would not say something to hurt your friend, then why say it to yourself? 

Rechanneling our energy and strength towards more positive moments can help change how we think about ourselves. 

We deserve to be happy about our body. Challenge yourself to keep a record for one day of all the negative messages you are giving about your body. Then find ways to enhance all of the positives about your body: 

Here are some steps toward changing your body image:  

• Don't talk to or about yourself in a negative light. 
• Stop using the word “Fat”! Try using words like curvaceous, voluptuous, or thriving. 
• Have a more positive relationship with the clothes you put on.
• Acknowledge that each and every person (including celebrities) have bad days! Each individual will have a “cheat” or a “bad” day. We are only human and are bound to do that and it is okay!
• Substitute power ideas instead of negative thoughts. Channel your energy into a more positive direction, such as setting up a fundraiser for body image awareness for young girls.
• Try volunteering at a local food bank or with domestic abuse victims.