What if I told you that 80 percent of your thoughts on a daily basis were negative? Yep, that’s right. And what’s even more alarming is that we have the same exact negative thoughts the next day.

Instead of seeing the negative I started appreciating the things my body did for me.

I used to absolutely hate my thighs. I would fixate on them in the mirror. I would squeeze my butt to make my legs look thinner. I would refer to them as thunder thighs. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with breast cancer that I stopped the negative body talk.  

When I give talks to high school women, I share my story about my thighs. I know they can relate to hating a body part. I explain how I learned to love my body slowly over time by choosing to focus on the things that I loved about my body. In the beginning I started with my eyes. I would stare into the mirror for a few minutes taking in the beauty of the color of my iris. The next week I focused on my ears. You get the idea, I started small and worked my way to the bigger body parts. It took time. I went slow. Instead of seeing the negative I started appreciating the things my body did for me. Over time, I stopped hating my thighs. I now secretly bless my thighs for helping me run half marathons.

At the end of my workshops I would ask the students to write a love letter to the body part that they don’t like. Within seconds pencils are racing writing, secretly admitting what they don’t like about themselves. The letters get folded up and put in an envelope for them to do with what they want. My suggestion is always rip it up or burn it, then show that body part some extra love. Smiles usually comes across their faces as they leave the room. I think once they realize that they aren’t alone with their negative feelings, they begin to feel more empowered. They see there’s always a choice to see more of the positive.

#Redefining Healthy

Challenge:

So I challenge you too, to sit quietly for two minutes and write your body part a love letter.

You can redefine the things that make you feel good. You can even change the dialog with your body. It can be as simple as showing your body the love and respect “she” deserves. Why not start today? By tomorrow, you could have a whole new conversation.

Momee Friends of Long Island is so happy to have Christine Egan as one of our affiliates. She is a local Warrior Momee who is making a positive change in helping others redefine healthy with small changes that make a BIG difference in their lives. We need to take care of ourselves and that is something that we all need to focus on more.

 Christine Egan is the author of The Healthy Girl’s Guide to Breast Cancer. It wasn’t until her diagnosis that she showed her body the love it deserved. Don’t wait for something horrible to happen for you to give your body the love and respect it deserves. Christine can be found on Facebook and Instagram.