There’s a BIG difference in masculine and feminine approaches to food, weight, and body.

I want to invite you to get curious and understand how they differ because you may – as most women have – stepped into an approach that doesn’t serve you in creating long-term – sustainable, nourishing – and healthy habits.

Just to be clear from the start, I’m not talking about the difference between men and women here, I’m talking “masculine” and “feminine.” We all have masculine and feminine qualities within us.

When it comes to food and body, the masculine approach can best be summed up by the Nike “just do it” slogan.

The masculine weight-loss model often looks like setting a goal, kick-starting our will-power – restricting what we eat, weighing and measuring everything – and pushing through ‘til you’ve (hopefully) reached your goal. This is the predominate way our society deals with unwanted weight or any body issues. The masculine approach is one that sees a problem and then goes in to fix it in a systematic way.

This sounds good on paper, but the reality is that this “fix-it” approach doesn’t work that well, especially for women.

We can jump on this masculine and linear approach for a little while, but then our true nature of wanting fun, pleasure and relaxation in our life surfaces – and we rebel against this rule-based model.

What we need is a more feminine approach to learning how to live with ease and peace, with our body and food.

The feminine approach can be summarized by changing that Nike slogan a bit. Instead of “just do it” we need to “just listen to it” – really, I prefer “just listen to HER.” Because our body is not an “it” – she’s a beautiful being that deserves to be heard.

Listening to our body, listening to how different foods make us feel and learning how to be in a real and positive relationship with our body is the basis of the feminine approach to feeling good.

The feminine way is a practice – it’s about partnering with our body, versus ordering our body around. It’s a conversation, a dialogue – versus a top-down chain of command.

If you have adopted society’s norm…the masculine approach to food and body – and you’re still struggling to feel at ease in your body – I encourage you to develop a more feminine approach.

The best place to start is with this question…

What is my body saying to me?

Remember the slogan?…”Just listen to her.” That’s where we want to begin.

Take a moment…breathe…and really inquire. Get curious.

Try some of these questions as a way to step into a more feminine and nourishing relationship with your food and body.

• What is my body saying to me?
• What do I really need?
• What do I really want?

Then, instead of overriding your body’s need for:

• rest
• pleasure
• fun
• hydration
• a moment to actually sit and eat a real meal

…or whatever it is that your body is asking for

Try responding and respecting what she’s saying.

You’ll be amazed at how things will start shifting!

If you’d like to live more from this powerful feminine approach let’s talk!

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ninamanolson

Nina Manolson, MA, is the founder of Body-Peace®.She helps women end the war with food and body and finally feel truly at home in their body—as it is.

She is known for her deeply feminist, anti-diet, body-peace® approach. She brings her 30 years of experience as a therapist, Body-Trust® Guide and Psychology of Eating Teacher to helping women create a respectful and trusting relationship with their food and body.

Nina’s Body-Peace® work is all in service of helping people get off the diet roller-coaster, and into a compassionate and powerful way of eating & living which creates a positive long-lasting change in and with their bodies. Her courses, coaching, poems and Body-Peace APP positively change the conversation that women are having with their body.

Start your Body-Peace® journey with this free masterclass that will help you understand and shift your relationship with your body.

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