Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Today Heather chats with Amy Connell about the ways we as moms who were fully entrenched in diet culture can start to change the conversations in our home around food and body. Amy and Heather were both fitness instructors and focused on “health education” trying to, out of love, do what was best for their kids around food and exercise. But, as they discuss today, some of what they did was likely unhelpful. As the research shows, some of the rules they enforced and the ways they modeled a restrictive relationship with food or over-emphasized exercise may have sent the wrong message to their kids.  Amy and Heather talk about how our children and teens are on the journey with us out of diet culture, whether they know it or not. They talk about how tricky it can be to have our children watch our pendulum swing from restricting all the foods or maybe always being on a diet to giving up dieting and trying to eat more intuitively. They also discuss how our kids—both boys and girls--are being influenced by social media and YouTube influencers around what they should eat and how they should look or exercise. They talk about how to manage this challenge when you are trying to teach your children and teens a different way. Similarly, Amy and Heather talk about helping our children see the agenda that the culture has for them--and how diet culture plays into this agenda that wants them to be so focused on food, exercise, body, and appearance that they can miss out on what God has for them and find themselves in anxiety, depression, eating disorders or worse. You'll be encouraged by today's podcast, share it with a friend or leave a review! Ready to sign up for the 40-day body image workbook reading journey? We start May 21st! Learn more or sign up here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Purchase Amy's new book, Your CORE Strength on most online stores including Amazon and Bookshop if you prefer to support independent bookstores. All formats, including paperback, ebook and audiobook are available. You may also grab the Parents Guide - a Cliffs notes version for you to learn the main concepts as well as receive other helpful resources like recommended Instagram accounts, books and podcasts, and ways to support your daughter. Want some more Christ-centered, diet-culture-free encouragement for your daughter? Invite her to listen to Amy's podcast for Christian teen girls, Lessons to My Teenage Self (also on YouTube if they aren't regular podcast listeners.)Connect with Amy:@gracedhealth (for women over 40)@lessons.pod (for teens)GracedHealth.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you trying to do everything right to be “healthier” but feeling overwhelmed with all the rules? Have you been sucked into watching a "master class," influencer videos, or subscribing to the program of an influencer who offers the “right” ways to eat, act, and move so that we can beat all our diseases or live a long life? Today Heather questions the food rules, whether or not they are helpful, too severe or disordered, and whether or not they are healthy for us spiritually and mentally (do they invoke humility or pride?). Is food the most important thing to our health or, if we look at history, are we putting too much emphasis on our food rules and the connection they have to optimal health? What about the ways we personally believe or hold to our own health and food rules? Are we willing to try anything and do anything to get what the idol of health gives us? Do we believe that we’ve “lost our lives” and do we try everything because we are desperate to “get our lives back”? In this information age, it's easy to believe that the end of all of our suffering is available if only we just work hard enough to find it. This can put us on a wild scavenger hunt to find the end to our sufferings. But, if it doesn't work, or even if it does, how does this affect our mental and spiritual health? Heather closes the show with five suggestions to help anyone be more discerning about health programs and their offerings, and what we click on. Learn more about Heather and Compared to Who? by visiting: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Join the 40 Day Reading Challenge 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.

How can we age well? Internet searches tell us that aging well is about wearing sunscreen, avoiding smoking, drinking less, eating right, and exercising more. But, the focus on aging seems to be all about our bodies, but what about our souls? Can having a more eternal perspective allow us to face the reality of aging and to get real about the ways our bodies are failing while remembering and feeling energized by the real purpose and why we were put on this earth? Today, Heather looks at the importance of community and friendships to aging well. She also talks about the hopefulness and joy that can come from keeping in mind that we are eternal beings. She talks about how God’s faithfulness to us through the years we’ve already lived can remind us that He will be faithful to be with us as we age, even if we face physical or mental struggles. She also talks about how remembering that you are a "Forever Person" can help you keep your focus on what's really important without getting too fixated on what's happening to your body in the aging process. Want to read Heather’s new aging devotional? Learn more and grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/aging-gratefully Want to read the 40 Day Body Image Workbook and join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook reading group that starts May 21st? Learn more here: 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.

The percentage of women (and some men) using Botox to get rid of signs of aging has skyrocketed! Of course, the Bible doesn't have any specific instructions on whether or not it's okay for us to get Botox. Today, Heather explores the topic from every angle--physically, mentally, and spiritually--to allow you to decide for yourself whether or not Botox injections are okay for you. Listen so you can make a thoughtful and informed decision about this very common practice here in the U.S. New to the show? Learn more about Compared to Who? and listen to the top episodes here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/podcast Learn more about Heather's brand new book on aging called: Aging Gratefully- A 30-Day Devotional for Women  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today we continue our mini-series on aging and explore the tricky topic of what to do when your clothes no longer fit. Heather talks about the reality that women's bodies do change and that over the years we will wear different sizes because our bodies will respond to aging, stress, pregnancies, and other changes in our lives in physical ways. So, what do you do when you have a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear? Heather offers encouragement over how to not feel shame about getting rid of clothes that aren't the right size, what to do when you're stressing out about having to go up or change sizes, and how you can turn the narrative of shame around getting rid of clothes into a beautiful way to bless others. If you've got a closet full of clothes from decades past, this episode is for you. Learn more about the 40 Day Body Image Workbook Reading Challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Learn more about Heather's brand new book: Aging Gratefully here: books-for-christian-women-body-image Are you new to the podcast? Find out what episodes to start with here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/podcast   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today host Heather Creekmore delves into the topic of aging and the fear that often accompanies it. She talks about the cultural pressure to stay young, the struggle with body image, and the desire to remain relevant in a society that values youth. Heather shares insights from her new book, "Aging Gratefully," a 30-day devotional for women that covers various aspects of aging, from bodily changes to finding purpose in midlife and beyond. Throughout the discussion, she encourages listeners to consider the biblical perspective on aging and to embrace the reality of getting older with gratitude and trust in God's plan. Heather's discussion spans a range of topics surrounding aging, including the cultural pressures and myths associated with aging, the changing seasons of life, and the fear of becoming irrelevant. She also highlights the biblical perspective on aging, offering a refreshingly positive viewpoint on something our culture points to as negative. One significant topic Heather focused on was the symbolism of graying hair and how it has been distorted by cultural messages. Drawing from Proverbs 16:31, Heather shares how marketers convinced us that gray hair would ruin our lives, but how the Bible tells us that gray hair is a crown of glory, representing wisdom and victory. As we dive into the concept of aging gratefully, Heather challenges us to shift our mindset away from cultural norms and expectations and embrace the unique beauty that comes with every season of life. Get your copy of Aging Gratefully here: books-for-christian-women-body-image Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you've been in church for even a few minutes you've likely heard that you should derive your identity from Christ. But how does one do that--especially when we've been conditioned from birth to perform for applause or be the type of person who makes everyone else smile in approval? Today, Heather digs into this topic of how we change where we find our applause. It's not that we go from seeking the applause of others to being content with the applause of ourselves (that's what culture says to do.) Instead, it's that we find a source of applause far greater than ourselves or those around us. We recognize, through the Gospel, the delight of God! If you're tired of trying to please everyone...or living for compliments and approval and it never being enough, this episode is for you. You'll be encouraged in ways to find a strength and peace in your self-image that outlasts and outdoes anything you could achieve through your own accomplishments. The pressure is off! Heather's inspiration piece for this episode is the sermon "The Sickness Unto Death" preached by Dr. Tim Keller. You can listen to the full sermon here: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-sickness-unto-death/ Scripture references for today can be found in Jeremiah 9:23-34 and 1 Corinthians 4. Are you ready to improve your body image? Find out about great resources, coaching, and other opportunities at https://www.improvebodyimage.com Don't forget to leave a review! Those are a huge blessing to this ministry! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Did you know that the 24 hour work day was created around how men work best, but not women? Today, Heather’s guest Dr. Victoria Pait offers fascinating and helpful information about how women can start to work better with their bodies by syncing their lives to their cycles and better understanding the rhythms of our bodies. Heather and Dr. Pait talk about what’s going on in a woman’s body throughout the four phases of the menstrual cycle. They also talk about how to cope as hormonal levels change or dip during peri-menopause. She even explains what happens to our bodies during this time and what we can do to best support our bodies during all seasons. When is the best time of the month to connect with others? Why do you sometimes feel like hiding or being anti-social? How can you maximize those days of the month when you feel great and plan for extra rest or alone time on those days when you don’t? How hard should you be exercising or what is the best way to exercise during your cycle or in peri-menopause? How can you improve your sleep? You’ll be amazed by the helpful information Dr. Pait shares today.   Connect with Dr. Victoria Pait here: https://www.Instagram.com/Drvictoriapait https://www.Instagram.com/victorymountchiropractic https://www.victorymountchiro.com Learn more about Compared to Who? and Christian body image coaching here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Have you seen Heather's newest book on aging? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather has a candid conversation with author and blogger, Sheila Gregoire. They dive deep into the impact of purity culture on women's body image, self-esteem, and relationships. Although the hearts and motives may have started in the right place -- as a response to the 1960s, there have been some detrimental effects of certain modesty and purity culture teachings on both young girls and adult women. Sheila sheds light on how these teachings can lead to damaging beliefs, body image issues, and vulnerability to abusive relationships. The conversation delves into crucial topics such as the damaging effects of purity culture on millennial women, the intersection of Christian teachings and body image struggles, and debunking harmful beliefs about the male-female dynamic. Sheila and Heather share personal experiences and insights, offering a thought-provoking discussion that challenges harmful teachings and advocates for body acceptance based on scripture. If you're interested in gaining valuable insights into this critical topic, don't miss out on this impactful episode. Here are a few other key topics from the conversation: Purity culture and Christian teachings have had damaging effects on women, leading to lower self-esteem, sexual pain disorders, and an increased likelihood of marrying an abuser. Are men more visual? The data Sheila shares around this may absolutely stun you! Harmful messages around modesty and responsibility for men's behavior have perpetuated damaging beliefs, desensitized girls to relationship red flags, and reinforced harmful dynamics between men and women. Exploring these issues is crucial for promoting body acceptance based on scripture and addressing damaging teachings in order to positively impact women's lives and relationships. Connect with Sheila and learn more about her new book here: She Deserves Better (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about Sheila's ministry at https://baremarriage.com/ Are you ready for body image coaching or some personalized help? Visit www.improvebodyimage.com for more options and body image encouragement.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather digs in to how our experiences in gym class may be impacting our body image issue today. Did you get picked last for the teams? Did you hate getting hit by the dodge ball or wearing gym uniforms or changing with the other girls? Did a teacher weigh you and then call out the number for the whole class to hear? Many who wrestle with body image issues are still struggling with trauma of what we were told or believed was true about us in gym class! Today Heather reminisces through the various angles of this issue and offers encouragement for anyone still suffering with gym class trauma.  Have you read the 40 Day Body Image Workbook Yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Start on your journey to body image freedom and healing from gym class trauma (or other body image issue instigators) today! Learn more or get your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.