Flabby arms and other parts…

Bingo arms

Underarm jiggle

Bat wings

Love handles

Spare tire

Middle-age spread

I hear a lot of name-calling in my line of work.

I talk to women about bodies, our bodies, your body

We talk body-stories- the result of your journey, living in your unique body.

And woven into your body-story, I hear about parts of you that got exiled, rejected, divorced and made wrong.

Your thunder-thighs, your muffin-top, your turkey-neck.

These cutting names take what is whole and pull it apart as though there are bits that don’t belong.

As though some of those parts are not yours to care for, but are there to fix, or better yet…to be removed.

These names hold shame and blame.

And yet, what I know and so deeply want you to know, is that every part of you….

deserves to be there

has a story

is longing to be heard

is rich with wisdom

and is sacred

If you’re a name-caller, this is for you.

If saying words of kindness to yourself doesn’t come easily, this is my invitation.

Try these words…

“Hello body, I see you, I see the whole of you.

And dear body, even though it’s sometimes hard for me to be kind with you

I want to create a new conversation of kindness.

Tell me please, how can I be gentle with you in this moment?”

Then wait…wait patiently. Listen.

And feel into the possibility of softening, of compassion, and of care.

It may take time and support to shift the language of name-calling to

the language of deep nourishment.

But body-peace, body-ease and deep body-compassion can be yours,

and is worth whatever the amount of energy it takes to do the work of healing.

 

~ Nina Manolson

Want to read more of my poetic essays? They’re right here.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nina Manolson, MA, NBC-HWC, board certified Health Coach, Psychology of Eating Coach and Certified Body-Trust Provider, believes that every woman deserves to feel good in her own body.

She helps women create a healthy and positive relationship with their food and body so they can love their body and life! She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and The Nourished Woman Nation.

She helps busy women feel good in their own body.. She specializes in working with women over 40 who have tried other diets and approaches but are still struggling with their body and food.

She’s the creator of the BODY-LOVE MAP and the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

To get your F.R.E.E. ebook: HOW TO BE A WOMAN AT EASE IN YOUR BODY  click here.