Befriend Your Body

In this exercise, we'll practice approaching our bodies from a place of kindness and gratitude. You'll need a pen and paper for this one. Begin by sitting comfortably at a table with a pen and paper in front of you. Now reflect for a moment on the way you normally think about and talk to your body. No matter if the thoughts are harsh and mean or gentle and kind, know that they arise because we've practiced them for a long time. Take a deep breath and let these thoughts go with a sigh. Now let's bring into focus the things about your body that you are grateful for. Write down 10 things that you can honestly say you appreciate about your body. You might write things like, "I appreciate my legs for walking," or "I appreciate my heart for beating." Can you find appreciation for your ears for hearing or your lungs for breathing? Pause this exercise as you make your list. Now take a moment to read through the things you are grateful to your body for. How does it feel to appreciate your body in this way? Perhaps it feels really good, maybe it feels a little uncomfortable at first. Many times, the thoughts we have about ourselves are less than kind. Whether we like it or not, this way of thinking has become routine and in order for us to truly befriend our bodies, we need to start rehearsing kinder thoughts about ourselves. We get better at the things we practice so be aware of what type of messages you are practicing when talking or thinking about your body. Plant the seeds of kindness and acceptance by weaving phrases of appreciation and gratitude into your life whenever you can. The next time you catch yourself having an unkind thought about your body, use this list to remind yourself just how much your body is doing for you that you are grateful for. So congratulations on having completed these 10 lessons and exercises on mindful eating. It can be a lot of information to absorb the first time through, but as you keep practicing these techniques and revisiting these lessons, it will get easier. We look forward to seeing you back here soon....