Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Stressing over your BMI? Perhaps a recent doctor's visit has you spiraling over what you need to do to change your Body Mass Index. Today, Heather sits down with two authors who have researched the history, background, and scientific usefulness of the Body Mass Index. You'll be surprised by where this chart originated, how it's used now that was not at all how it was intended to be used, and more. If you've ever stressed over your BMI...this is the episode for you. Learn more about Stephane Brown and Anna Marie Long's new book, Nourished By Faith, here. https://amzn.to/42JPCmF (Amazon affiliatel link). Connect with Anna Marie here: https://www.annamarierd.com Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wondered if participating in dance could lead to body image issues? Heather talks to clients with a dance background and have body image issues from what a dance instructor said or from participating in an environment that is body-focused and competitive. Today, Heather interviews Mary Bawden, founder of DA:NCE an organization devoted to helping expose the dangers of hyper-sexualized dance, while encouraging children to pursue healthy dance alternatives. Mary talks about how to tell the difference between health dance and unhealthy dance. Mary also talks about the many dangers of allowing young girls and teens to participate in styles of dance that are too "adult" in their nature. The list of side effects or risks from allowing your daughter to participate in this style of dance--which is common now, everywhere--are astonishing. Listen to this interview so you can make an informed decision about the types of dance your daughter will participate in. Learn more about DA:NCE-- Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited here: https://www.danceawareness.com/ Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): 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 today's "Me vs. ChatGPT" episode, Heather tackles the topic of Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonist medications that are now being prescribed to people for weight loss. She uses ChatGPT to help answer the question, "Will Ozempic fix my body image issues?" and is surprised to find ChatGPT to be very informed and aware of the limitations that weight loss has on healing body image issues. This episode will encourage women who are using these medications along with women who are surrounded by others who are using these weight loss drugs. There's no shame or blame if you've chosen to get the shots, but Heather outlines the risks and how, as Christian women, they can lead some of us further into issues like body image idolatry or distract us from our real purpose on this earth. Confidence doesn't come in the form of a weight loss shot, so Heather discusses how healing body image issues requires more than just weight loss. Listen to Heather's other thoughts on Ozempic here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/ozempic-and-oprah-have-i-changed-my-mind Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather tackles a topic relevant to many women in May: How to try on a swimsuit if you don't like how your body looks. If you're struggling with how your body looks but needing some swimwear for the season ahead, Heather graciously and gently walks you through some strategies to find a swimsuit that fits without sending you spiraling into a place of body shame. This episode is part of the questions series: Me versus ChatGPT, so Heather tackles the question and then turns to ChatGPT to see what extra advice artificial intelligence can offer! Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you been putting off the formal family photos until you lose weight or change your appearance? Today, Heather gives all her best strategies for tackling, surviving, and maybe even enjoying (just a little) the family photo process. If you struggle with not liking how you look in pictures, today's episode will encourage you to stop avoiding photos and be in the picture! Heather offers strategies for before the photos--including how to choose what to wear, during the photos, and even what to do when you get those pictures back and you feel nervous about what you look like in them. Heather also shares some hilarious stories about getting ready for her family pictures that you'll appreciate and laugh at. Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather and ChatGPT tackle the same question, "What do I do if I feel jealous of someone skinnier than me?" This is the question most of us have experienced, but few want to say out loud. While ChatGPT does a good job of acknowledging that comparison issues are about idealization and more, Heather fills in the holes with what the Bible has to say to our comparison issues. She talks about the importance of gratitude and how we really do need to change the way we objectify and the narratives we have in our heads regarding other people who have a "better" body than we do. Who answered it better? Heather or Chat GPT? Resources from today's show: Our website: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Comparison-Free Life book: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you're a Christian woman with body image issues, today Heather will fire you up with encouragement around how your Christian faith and beliefs can speak directly to your body image issues. You have a BIG faith that helps you believe in God, Jesus, heaven, and eternity. But, what you need is a LITTLE faith that can apply to how you feel and how you act when you can't get your pants buttoned, when you look in the mirror, or when you feel rejected by peers for the way you look. If you struggle with having a faith that can apply to your day to day battles with insecurity, today's episode is for you. Heather again takes on CHATGPT to see how Chat answers this same question, "How does my faith help my body image issues?" Heather's confident her answer is better this time. Share this episode with a friend who needs some body image encouragement this summer! Listen to Heather's podcast on exploring gluttony verse by verse in the Bible: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part Listen to Heather's podcast on what to do if you feel like you ruined your good body: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/i-ruined-my-body-how-do-i-believe-my-body-is-good Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather faces off with ChatGPT to see who can better answer the question, "How Do I Feel Okay Wearing Shorts?" Heather reads through ChatGPT's comprehensive answer (and body image coaching attempts) and then adds her own suggestions that will encourage you if you're dreading shorts season or if you've put away the thought of wearing shorts for good. Of course, you don't have to wear shorts, but if you wish you could wear them, but have felt insecure about your legs or the way you look in shorts, this episode will encourage you with truth about your value and worth and why you can wear shorts, even if you don't look like a model. Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Join us on the next 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Grab Heather's 40-Day Body Image Workbook 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.

Today, Heather vulnerably shares the grief she's experiencing over facing her son's graduation this month and how similar this kind of grief is to the grieving that we experience on our body image freedom journeys. Heather talks about how many women face the "Can I get a do over?" feelings at the end of eighteen years of parenting or when they reach mid-life or later. Looking at the five stages of grief, Heather explains how important it is to "feel to heal" and how grieving can help us process emotions in a healthy way so that we can truly find freedom. Resources mentioned in today's episode: The 40-Day Body Image Workbook The 40-Day Journey Christian Body Image Coaching Groups Comparison-Free Life Book Aging Gratefully Connect with us at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Drop Heather a message at: heather @comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather announces a brand new Bible reading plan and 15-Day downloadable devotional called, "The Mirror Fast." The concept behind the mirror fast is to take a break from looking in the mirror and to re-orient your gaze off of your body and on to Jesus. You can follow the Mirror Fast on YouVersion, the Bible app or you can download a printable copy on the website here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/mirror-fast-christian-women You'll love the reality that this is a biblical strategy to improve your body image before summer! One of the coolest topics in this Bible study comes from Exodus 38:8, where the Israelite women melt down their bronze mirrors for them to be used to make a brass basin to go outside the tabernacle. They literally melt down their attachment and access to their image in the service of the Lord. You'll enjoy reading about this and other hot topics related to mirror fasting such as: Why do our mirrors hold such power over us? Did I mess up my God made "good" body? Why does my image bother me? Will I be okay without looking in the mirror for 40 days? And, more... Resources mentioned in today's podcast include: Our website: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Comparison-Free Life book: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.