Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Do your body image issues get worse when you're around family? Today, host Heather Creekmore digs into what may be the reason behind why you feel worse about your body at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Heather explores the question: Did your mom have an impact on your body image? While many women know she did, others can't recognize it quite as clearly. But, on today's show, Heather dives deep into the intricate dynamics between mothers and daughters, exploring how maternal influence shapes our body image and how much of this shaping happened well before the teenage years. 

Today Heather uncovers some of the potential influences and connections between body image issues and the mother-daughter relationship. She also speaks to the reality that many of those who have a disordered relationship with food and body image issues will experience a flare-up of these issues when around mom--especially at the holidays!

Heather also addresses the intergenerational nature of body image issues, how they run in families and how your mom could simply be acting out of the way she was taught by her mom. Likewise Heather talks about how a healthy sense of self requires us to have agency over our bodies and our choices around food. And, though it becomes more difficult when we're around family, this "growing up" process is vital for our body image healing journeys.

The episode takes inspiration from Catherine Fabrizio's book, "The Good Daughter Syndrome."

Learn more about agency in this episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/finding-body-image-freedom-through-understanding-a

Learn how to forgive mom in this episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/forgiving-mom-or-others-for-their-roles-in-body-im

Need more help? Consider working with Heather or our team in coaching. Or, join us on the 40-Day Journey starting January 7th. Learn more at https://www.improvebodyimage.com

 

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Ready for a quick, 7 Minutes of Scripture episode? Today, host Heather Creekmore delves into Ephesians 5  She begins by reading Ephesians 5:1-8 from the English Standard Version and focuses on the theme of imitation and influence. Heather emphasizes the idea from scripture that we are called to be imitators of God as beloved children and walking in love, as Christ did. She challenges listeners to reflect on whether they aspire to imitate Jesus or if they're more influenced by cultural figures or influencers, especially in the realm of body image. Heather encourages listeners to walk in love, focusing less on self-love and more on loving God and others, advocating for what Tim Keller calls "the freedom of self forgetfulness."

Are you ready to transform your body image? Join the 40-day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Learn more about Heather's latest book release on comparison here: https://amzn.to/3Uucwd4 (Amazon affiliate link)

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Is comparison dragging you down? Do you feel defeated or deflated because you're always thinking about the "you" that you want to be or how you could "be better if" or "be better when?" If so, comparison is what's really dragging you down. Today, host and author, Heather Creekmore will give you the Bible's best answers around comparison. Scripture actually addresses our battles with comparison at a deeper level than you could ever imagine. These solutions aren't cold and distant like "just stop it," rather they challenge you to think more deeply about these issues, why we compare ourselves to others, and what the truth of the Gospel really has to speak to comparison issues. If you've ever wanted to be free from comparison, this is a great place to start.

Check out Heather's latest release, The Comparison-Free Life (formerly titled The Burden of Better) (Amazon affiliate link, tiny portion of your purchase will go back to this ministry).

Learn more about Heather, the ministry of Compared to Who? and resources to help you improve body image and stop comparing: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today Heather Creekmore and her incredible team at Compared to Who? dive deep into the world of comparison, uncovering personal stories, strategies, and biblical insights to illuminate the path to freedom from comparing.

Rachel shares her experience as a worship leader facing comparison in front of teenagers, discovering the power of "bless and not impress" with divine assistance. Tara reflects on her journey of overcoming body image dissatisfaction through spiritual growth, and Jackie emphasizes honesty with oneself and loved ones. Presli explores the role of growing her faith in handling her comparison and self-image struggles.

The team delves into the heart of their comparison issues, likening it to idolatry and proposing grace as the remedy. Heather emphasizes the importance of shaking off societal pressures and instead aiming for spiritual growth and sanctification. Jackie's approach to curating a healthier social media experience and Rachel's use of the "pause app" are practical tools shared with listeners.

Together, they address the tendency to compare with past selves, encouraging a shift from self-centeredness to serving others. Heather introduces listeners to her book, "The Comparison Free Life," as a resource for understanding grace and breaking free from the comparison trap, inviting them to explore it for deeper insight.

For more meaningful episodes and resources, visit improvebodyimage.com. Tune in to Part 1 for the beginning of this transformative discussion and stay connected as Heather and her team continue to tackle the nuances of comparison and body image challenges on "Compared to Who?" with love, truth, and authenticity.

Be sure to check out Heather's book, "The Comparison Free Life", to accompany you on this journey towards freedom from comparison.

 

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Today Heather invited her team to a group chat to discuss comparison and how it has affected them. The team gets real, talking about their challenges with comparison, how they compared themselves to others, and what they believed about themselves in the process!

We dive into an enlightening discussion about pride, humility, shame, and comparison, exploring comparison's impact on our self-worth and relationships. Heather's team members: Tara, Jackie, Presli, and Rachel share how they've struggled but also how they've learned to conquer comparison.

There are so many pressures, demands, expectations, and challenges women, even Christian women, face around comparison and body image. Today's conversation will encourage you that you are not alone if you're battling comparison and there's great hope to be free from the battle. 

Are you ready to stop comparing and start living? Consider joining the 40-Day Journey which begins in January. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Ready to live comparison-free? Check out Heather's book, The Comparison-Free Life now available here: https://amzn.to/3A7zboT (Amazon affiliate link)

 

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This is the second part of an interview between host Heather Creekmore and guest Amy Carlson, a dietitian and eating disorder expert. Today's conversation centers around fostering a healthy and balanced relationship with food. Amy critiques the current educational approach to nutrition, advocating for an understanding and enjoyment of cooking rather than rigid adherence to nutritional guidelines. 

Today's conversation continues looking at the topic of agency around food choices and our health. Heather talks about how she and many clients she works with have fear around being free with food and Amy offers some helpful wisdom there. Listen until the end for this expert dietitian's best advice on what you should do with all that candy that seems to arrive around Halloween and keep multiplying through Christmas!

Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Learn more about Amy's Peace with Food App here: https://www.hellopeacewithfood.com/

Listen to Heather's other interviews with Amy Carlson:

Have We Christianized Disordered Eating? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/have-we-christianized-disordered-eating-featuring

A With God Approach to Food and Eating: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/a-with-god-approach-to-food-and-eating-featuring-a

Do I Need More Self Control Around Food? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/do-i-need-more-self-control-to-stop-eating-feat-am

Letting Go of Good and Bad Food Labels: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/letting-go-of-good-and-bad-food-labels-featuring-a

How to Really Feel Better in Your Body: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/how-to-really-feel-better-in-your-body-featuring-a

 

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Host Heather Creekmore interviews dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Amy Carlson, MS, RD, about the complex relationships individuals have with food, their own health, and agency. Heather and Amy delve into the assumptions that connect food, health, and lab results, and Amy stresses that anomalies in lab results can often be influenced by factors beyond one's control, such as family history.

Heather shares her personal anxieties about not following a food plan and the fear it instills when approaching medical check-ups. Amy shares insights into diet culture's pressures and the significance of developing self-awareness over outsourcing one's health to external authorities. The episode explores how social media contributes to self-critique and how societal norms can affect personal choices.

Heather and Amy also discuss when we first surrendered our agency around food and our health and how, for many of us, we were taught the rules of diet culture from a young age. Amy explores how damaging and inaccurate some of these rules and premises can be, especially when applied to our children.

Ready to get on the road to body image and food freedom? Learn more about the 40-Day Journey at: www.improvebodyimage.com

 

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Heather continues her interview with Angie Baughman about body image issues, focusing on community and comparison challenges, particularly for those with eating disorders. They discuss different dopamine responses to food—through restriction or free eating—and critique diet culture's praise of restrictors. Angie emphasizes the necessity of addressing the underlying causes of disordered eating and the importance of forming a healthy relationship with food. Angie shares that she now understands how freedom from these issues is attainable with God's help and how important supportive relationships are in this non-linear journey.

The episode delves into the emotional difficulty of confronting deeper issues rather than distracting oneself with calorie counting or excessive exercise. Angie shares personal insights on trusting God fully in life's challenges. They highlight the misconception that achieving a desired body image brings peace, identifying it as a "false salvation" and encourage introspection on hidden body image issues disguised as discipline.

Learn more about Angie Baughman here: https://livesteadyon.com/

Listen to Angie's podcast here: https://livesteadyon.com/vodcast/

Learn more about Compared to Who? or join the 40 Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Angie Baughman, Bible teacher, author, and host of the Steady On podcast shares her personal journey of overcoming body image issues tied to childhood trauma and disordered eating. Together, Heather and Angie explore the detrimental effects of diet culture, highlighting how its pervasive "if-then" mindset impacts our spiritual and personal growth. 

Angie shares her experiences with disordered eating, calorie counting, and the facade of normal eating, which connected to her emotional control struggles. She also discusses how support from her counselor, nutritionist, and husband proved crucial in navigating her healing process.

✨ Key Highlights:

• Embrace Your Worth:

  Discover how Angie found joy and nourishment in food without guilt, transforming her relationship with eating.

• Diet Culture Critique:

  Understand how societal standards around thinness and appearances have infiltrated even religious communities, and why it's crucial to shift our focus back to spiritual freedom.

• Stop Comparing, Start Living:

  Explore the impact of comparison on our mental health and relationships, and find encouragement to live fully without constraints.

Learn more about Angie here: https://livesteadyon.com/

Connect with Compared to Who? or join the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Grab Heather's 40-Day Workbook here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the "Compared to Who?" podcast, host Heather Creekmore dives into the challenging topic of people pleasing and subjugation with special guest Joyce Campbell. Together, they unpack how incessantly saying "yes" while wanting to say "no" can lead to losing one's identity and sense of self. Joyce shares insights from her book, "Dare to Say No: Stop Saying Yes When You Really Mean No," and offers practical guidance for breaking free from the patterns of subjugation, whether in personal relationships or professional settings.

Heather and Joyce discuss personal anecdotes and strategies to help listeners navigate the discomfort of saying no, all from a biblical perspective that emphasizes the importance of aligning with the truth of scripture. If you struggle with being overly compliant, people pleasing, poor boundaries, or feeling subjugated, this episode provides valuable encouragement and tools for stepping into a healthier you!

Key Topics:

• Understanding the root of people pleasing or subjugation

• The impact of subjugation on mental and emotional health

• Practical steps to begin saying "no" kindly and respectfully

• The reactive stage: learning to balance newfound assertiveness

• Developing a true sense of identity away from compliance

• How faith can aid in overcoming the fears of saying "no"

Resources Mentioned:

• Joyce Campbell's book: "Dare to Say No: Stop Saying Yes When You Really Mean No"

• Get the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZUldRt (Amazon affiliate link)

• Joyce Campbell's website:

  joycelcampbell.com

Connect with Us: improvebodyimage.com

 

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