We live in a culture that tells us that "thin is in" and that weight loss is always positive. In a $60 billion diet industry, we are inundated daily with ads of tall, thin, and seemingly sophisticated women.  The message implies "you too can look like this" if only you take this drink, wear these clothes, try these pills, or start this diet.  These kinds of media messages can be damaging for women and influence how we view our bodies.  

In this episode of Wellness Wisdom, I interview Wendy Jensen, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Inside Wellness to discuss the pitfalls of our diet culture and how to help women shift the way they think about themselves and their bodies.  Wendy is a mental health therapist who specializes in helping women with eating disorders to live a more connected and fulfilling life.  She guides people to "heal" negative internal dialogue about their bodies and to reject diet culture by recognizing strengths and wholeheartedly accepting themselves.  

Wendy has seen how people can live a more fulfilling life when they are able to love themselves regardless of their body weight, type, or size.  She emphasizes the importance of challenging cultural messaging that supports being dissatisfied with our appearance.  We can challenge these messages and claim who we are, show gratitude for our bodies, and focus on what are bodies can do, rather than what they look like.  When we spend mental energy dieting, worrying about our weight, and beating ourselves up for imperfections, we rob ourselves of the connections and happiness we can have in our lives.  

Accept yourself, embrace your strengths, and live a more connected life!