I had a great childhood for many reasons. My mom taught school at the elementary school I attended and I loved knowing she was always close. My dad would wake my younger sister and I every morning and make us breakfast. I have 4 sisters and 1 brother and loved (love) having a big family. My best friend lived 4 houses down and we never left each other’s side, especially in the summer when we lived in swimsuits, built forts and made daily trips on foot or bike to “Curtis Bakery and Deli” for donuts.

But as I have gotten older I realize that one of the best things about my childhood was that I was taught to love myself. Not outwardly I suppose, but that was the environment I grew up in. I knew I was special to and loved by many people, especially my parents. One thing in particular I realize looking back was that I never heard my parents speak poorly about themselves. I think that is what really helped us as children have confidence in who we were. I also never heard my mom talk about wanting to lose weight or being unhappy with her weight. As an adult I now realize that she has struggled with her weight for most of her life. But I never heard about it. To any one who knows my family (parents and siblings included) and their struggles with weight, this may come as a big surprise.

Unfortunately, many young girls and boys aren’t so lucky. Do you know that 80% of US women are dissatisfied with their bodies? We are bombarded with daily (hourly?) messages about what women “should” look like and when we don’t measure up, it is easy to believe that there is something wrong with us. Now as an adult, I am sensitive to these messages as well. But please (and I am saying this to myself as well) don’t get caught up in society’s definition of beautiful. You ARE beautiful!

I have had many private consultations with guests at the Resort who are unhappy with their bodies. Obviously many want to lose weight…but some want to look like the runway model they see in magazines. I think there is a difference in losing weight to regain health, and losing weight to fit into a certain jean size. I hope during your stay at the Resort, that health becomes more meaningful than weight. That is our goal.

In the end, weight loss won’t solve your problems. You may have lost weight, but the negative talk will probably still be there. The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. Speak to yourself as you would speak to a friend. And when you feel those negative messages creeping in, replace them with positive messages.

To learn more about Love Your Body Day, visit their website:  loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org

Now, tell me something you LOVE about yourself. It could be physical or a personality trait. Just do it!

I’ll go first. I love my lips and my ability to manage time effectively.

YOUR TURN!

Emily Fonnesbeck RD,CD