Hope, Health and Healing Blog
6 Books to Empower Women Who Want Peace with Their Body I Exalted Health
Body image is something that affects all of us, no matter what size or shape we are. Unfortunately, society often sends the message that there is only one “perfect” body type and anything outside of that ideal is undesirable. This can lead to feelings of shame, insecurity, and low self-esteem. Thankfully, there are many books out there written by authors who understand these struggles and provide support for those seeking to improve their body image. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 10 books to help improve your body image.
*Disclaimer-I have gotten something out of every single book in the list. That does not mean I agree with every single word that is written, it has just blessed my journey in some way. I hope it does for you too.
Every morning could be an opportunity for self-love and appreciation. What if instead of wasting time in futile attempts to hate our bodies into submission, we opened ourselves up to the blessings God has given us? Psalm 139:14 reminds us that every person is wonderfully made by a loving Creator - why not take some time each day reflecting on this reality with guided devotions and prayers? Ultimately, it's high time we start treating ourselves as fearfully and wonderfully created beings!
It's one thing to know in your head that you were created in the image of God. Yet it's quite another to experience this belief in your body, against the cultural ideals of a woman's worth. And between the two lies a world of frustration, disappointment, and the shame of somehow feeling both too much and never enough in your body.
Weight loss can sometimes be a very self-focused endeavor. Maybe you have struggled with your weight your entire life, riding a constant roller coaster of numbers that go up and down. Or maybe you are finding yourself more stressed out by the world and all its demands. Perhaps you just don’t feel as well in your body as you do in your spirit.
In The Wellness Revelation, certified fitness professional Alisa Keeton will challenge you to get fit with God so that He can free you to complete your purpose. She teaches that when we get fit physically as well as spiritually, we will be better equipped to love and serve others. The Wellness Revelation will change the way you perceive yourself and the way that you live your life.
Each week in this eight-week journey includes a teaching from Alisa, weekly assignments, Bible study, small-group questions, and more. Alisa will encourage you to love God, get healthy, and serve others; and she will provide you with the tools to spread the gospel with courage, confidence, kindness, and freedom.God sees not as we see: we focus on the outward appearance, but He looks on the heart. Discover how God sees you in this 5-week study and experience a greater sense of freedom and contentment with yourself, love for others, and a deeper relationship with your Creator. He loves you, and so you are beautiful.
Grace Food and Everything in between
Are you burnt out on striving for perfection with eating, exercising and managing your body? Have you tried diet after diet only to feel more anxious, ashamed and disgusted with yourself? You're not alone. We live in a wellness obsessed culture that ties our worth to the size of our bodies and places our value in our ability to eat "clean" and exercise religiously. It's not working for us. We're more fearful of food, obsessed with our weight, anxious and unhealthy than ever before. We're in desperate need of a new thought when it comes to food, exercise and everything in between, one rooted in grace and truth. Registered dietitian, and recovering perfectionist Aubrey Golbek explores how the radical truth of grace transforms everything from the way we view ourselves, to how we eat, and move our bodies. The truths and practical tips in this book have the potential to set you free by helping you discover a new way of eating and caring for your body. Step into the abundant life your were made for, a life free from food guilt and body shame, a life fueled by grace.
In Eat to Love, nutritionist Jenna Hollenstein leads a spiritual revolution against pervasive attitudes towards food and dieting, and demonstrates how to free your mind from the fear, frustration, and shame often associated with eating. Through a series of revelatory exercises, along with simple instructions for time-proven mindfulness and meditation techniques, you’ll learn to identify prejudices around eating and reset your relationship with food.
Improving one's body image requires dedicated effort but thankfully there are many resources available now for those looking for guidance along journey including above listed books filled valuable advice wisdom covering vast array topics ranging from radical acceptance changing core beliefs embodying compassion towards others (including oneself) increased awareness, and even discovering the joys of mindful eating ! No matter what size or shape we might be remember every single person is made in the Image of God and deserves to be loved. Hopefully reading through these thought provoking titles will provide much needed inspiration encourage us become best version ourselves possible!
Which one is your favorite? Let us know!
