Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Heather Creekmore delves into the complex relationship between body image, dieting, and exercise. The discussion highlights the emotional and psychological effects of relying on physical changes to fix inner turmoil and encourages listeners to confront the root causes of body image discomfort. With insights into how embracing anxious feelings and fears can lead to spiritual and emotional well-being, this episode challenges the notion of using quick fixes. Heather talks about how we can approach our fears and be curious about them. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity in Christ. The episode sheds light on the ineffectiveness of believing diet and exercise are effective solutions to body image issues and offers a perspective as to how to find body image healing through deeper faith in Christ. Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of "Compared To Who?" Heather Creekmore challenges the common belief that changing our bodies is the solution to body image issues. She discusses the harmful impact of diets and exercise on individuals' well-being and tackles the cultural misconception that achieving a certain body size will lead to freedom from body image struggles. Heather emphasizes that people of all sizes experience body image issues and that placing hope in diet and exercise often leads to disappointment, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical detriment. She warns against diet culture's subtle influence, warping Scripture to manipulate individuals into believing that their worth is determined by their body size and equating weight loss with spiritual success. Listen to the first episode on Gwen Shamblin and Diet Culture in the church here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of "Compared to Who?" host Heather Creekmore continues the important conversation on stopping negative thoughts about our bodies. Heather highlights the necessity of reevaluating beliefs about body image and the importance of valuing God's thoughts above one's own. Drawing from Isaiah 55:8-9, she encourages the listener to assess whether they live in alignment with God's truth or prioritize maintaining a certain image in the eyes of others.   Heather also discusses the idea of self-worship and the pursuit of self-created ideals, emphasizing the need to shift focus from self to God. She delves into the significance of embracing humility and repentance as transformative measures. The episode emphasizes the use of the "Philippians 4:8 filter" to assess and process thoughts. Heather walks the listeners through a practical application of this filter, guiding them to evaluate thoughts against the criteria of truth, honor, righteousness, purity, loveliness, excellence, and praiseworthiness. Throughout the episode, Heather encourages listeners to identify and discard detrimental thoughts, highlighting the liberating impact of cultivating a healthy thought life. Heather also shares personal experiences and testimonials from her journey, attesting to the transformative power of aligning thought patterns with biblical truths.  Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Don't believe everything you think. That's what host, Heather Creekmore discusses today as she encourages Christian women on how to handle internal negative thoughts that can become obsessive. Heather provides scriptural and practical guidance for taking control of these thoughts. The episode delves into combating negative self-perceptions and the harmful influence of societal ideals. It also discusses the importance of addressing the heart and belief systems as the first step toward transforming thought patterns. Heather will encourage you to preach the gospel to your doubts and how real faith isn't just about knowing Jesus died for you, but about practicing living in a way that shows you believe He is the truth.  Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you have fear and anxiety about being judged for your body size or are you dealing with actual criticisms from others? Heather discusses the need to face the fear and be curious about it, as well as finding grace for both oneself and those who criticize. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help and finding safety in the unconditional love of Jesus. The episode also touches on the societal pressure for thinness and the pitfalls of relying solely on weight loss drugs for acceptance. Other Episodes Mentioned: Why I Want to Try Ozempic: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/why-i-want-to-try-ozempic-what-you-need-to-know-if Ozempic and the Oprah Special: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/ozempic-and-oprah-have-i-changed-my-mind Join the 40-Day Journey: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Shop for cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Host Heather Creekmore explores the common fear of feeling judged and criticized for one's weight and appearance. She candidly shares her personal experience of spiraling thoughts while standing in church, obsessing over whether others were thinking critical thoughts about her body. She encourages listeners to stop assuming the thoughts of others, to stop objectifying others based on appearance, and to seek approval only from God rather than from people. The episode highlights the impact of seeking external approval and the freedom found in accepting Christ's love. The episode concludes with an announcement about a new line of merch available on the Compared to Who shop. Tune in to the next episode, part two, for more on dealing with criticism and rejection from friends regarding body size. Join us on the 40-Day Journey which begins in September! Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Find and search for other episodes of the Compared to Who? podcast here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/podcast Shop new Compared to Who? merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Join our friends list and find out about special opportunities and offers from Compared to Who? https://www.improvebodyimage.com   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus promises us rest. But, how many of the ways that we seek rest are tied to striving, religious rituals, or promises made to us by marketers selling us something that promises to change our bodies. Heather hopes this episode will help you internalize the truth of the Gospel and how this can give you rest that far surpasses reaching a goal weight or having an ideal body. Heather digs into all the reasons why we have a hard time finding rest in these issues or in our recovery journey and how we can preach the Gospel to ourselves to find the rest the Bible promises. There are three things we need to "get" before we can find the rest the Bible promises: 1) We need to get grace. Most of us don't understand how grace touches us every single day and is so much more than just our assurance of salvation for eternity. But, grace can help us defeat comparison, envy, and find rest in our body image and food issues. 2) We need to get to know God. There are two big components to getting to know God: worshipping him and understanding our identity is completely formed by knowing our relationship with Him and who he is. 3) We need to get a long view. We're reminded to think about our future--take care of your body so that you will be able to care for your grandchildren or be mobile in your senior years. There's nothing wrong with this advice, but what we really need to do is think in light of eternity. If we're only making decisions in light of what we'll be like when we're 80 or 100, we've missed out on the purpose of our lives and what God created us to do that will last for eternity.  Heather uses the illustration of life as a sort of maze where there are lots of corners and path options that look like they'll lead to rest, but really they are dead ends. We see light coming from their corridors and think "Yay, that's my way to freedom." But, instead we just find ourselves trapped. Instead of making Jesus our co-pilot on our journey through life, we need to actually follow and trust him through the maze. This is our only way to true rest. Today Heather explores each of these concepts and how they can encourage and inform you as you deal with body image or eating disorder recovery and issues. Heather uses scriptures from Matthew and the parable of the talents to help you better understand God's desire to grant you rest. Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather's Christian books on body image and comparison, Christian body image coaching, other recommended podcast episodes, and more, go to: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Are you connected with us by email yet? Be a part of Heather's email list and you'll get messages weekly that encourage you and recommend top podcast episodes so you can stay encouraged while this show is on a two month hiatus. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Have you read the 40-Day Body Image Workbook? A new session of the 40 Day workbook journey will begin in August. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Follow Compared to Who? on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram and join our private Facebook community here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather talks with author Stacy Reaoch about body image, aging, and what the Bible really says about these topics. They talk about aging and how scripture gives us an "upside down" perspective on aging. Heather and Stacy also talk about how priorities and the realities of life change as we age. They confess the concern they've both felt over changing bodies and wondering how to navigate the challenges of aging. How do we rest in the pursuit of inner beauty instead of being obsessed with pursuing outer beauty? They discuss how our ultimate mission is so much more than changing how we look but in cultivating the fruits of the spirit and trying to look more like Jesus. Are we working to look good in your coffin? Or are we investing in the attributes that last?  Learn more about Stacy's book, "Beautiful Freedom: How the Bible Shapes Your View of Appearance, Food, and Fitness." (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about Heather's books, coaching, and resources here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Check out Heather's 40-Day Body Image Workbook -- Read it like a regular book on body image issues or work through it and process your issues in a whole new way: https://amzn.to/4bEOq6b     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather talks to her friend, neuropsychologist and author, Dr. Michelle Bengtson about how we can move forward after we feel like we've done things (or had things done to us) that have caused hurt or damage to our bodies. With grace and compassion, Heather and Michelle talk about how God wants to use our scars for our good and His glory. Dr. Michelle offers tangible and practical ways to move forward in grace and healing, including the recommendation that you find someone to walk with you who has had a similar journey and can understand both your wounds and scars. They talk about the realities that some things we have done to our bodies -- via eating disorders or an unhealthy relationship with food -- may have left a visible mark, but God is not upset by or afraid to use that. Heather and Michelle explore how to get past the shame, how to get past the condemnation, and how to let God turn those scars into something beautiful.  Learn more about Dr. Michelle Bengtson's brand new book, Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past is Not Wasted. (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about Heather's book, the 40-Day Body Image Workbook. Learn more about Dr. Michelle Bengtson and all of her books here: https://www.drmichelleb.com Heather's other episodes featuring Dr. Michelle Bengtson include: Finding Hope in Pain and Suffering: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/finding-hope-in-suffering-pain-featuring-dr-michel Identity, Depression, and Anxiety: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/identity-depression-anxiety-how-to-find-freedom-wi OCD, Narcissism, Eating Disorders, and Body Image: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/ocd-narcissism-eating-disorders-body-image   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do I do if I feel bad about having ruined my body? How do I believe my body is good even though I feel responsible for having messed it up? Isn't God mad at me because He gave me a good body and then I messed it up by the way I ate (or didn't eat) and exercised (or didn't exercise)? Today, Heather explores the reality that our bodies are made differently and some bodies are more susceptible to issues and disease than others. But, the real answer for this struggle is a theological answer. What do we believe about sin and the consequences of sin? What do we believe about repentance and forgiveness? What do we believe about making bad choices and how God handles that?  The questions under the question is: Has my sin ruined my life? Have my choices changed my life in such a way that I'm no longer able to live the life God planned for me? Can God still use me even though I feel like I've made bad decisions? Heather explains how often the sins that we believe we are guilty of around our bodies are not what we think they are. And, how the real sins of pride, envy, lust of the flesh, greed, idolatry are what was under and driving those decisions to eat or exercise in a certain way. So-called food "sins" are often not about the food at all. Heather also digs into the concept of guilt, worldly remorse, and true repentance. Taking inspiration from Tim Keller's sermon, The Problem With Guilt , Heather explains how these concepts can help us get out of that place where we feel stuck feeling guilty for the ways we've inappropriately cared for (or neglected) our bodies. This topic is nuanced and tricky, but hopefully the truth of scripture about how God is still good and still has a good plan for your life, no matter how you feel you've "messed things up," will encourage you. Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about the 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.