Episode 117: 22 Tools to Change Your Mindset About Food & Your Body interview with teen Ella Parsons (Body Positivity Series)

This is the 17th episode in our incredible Body Positivity Series. This life changing series will help you see, think and feel differently about your body. Listen to all the episodes and share them with the people you love!  Start being proactive about how you think and feel about your body today! The magic happens on the mat.
Learn more about 6 Week Body Positivity Yoga Series with Isha Warriors

"Diet Culture" defined.

• Smaller bodies are the goal.
• Losing weight is the norm.  We all should be doing it.
•  If you are bigger…you will have to go on a diet to lose weight to live a better life.
• We see hunger as a problem that needs to be solved through extremes. 
• I will become a different version of myself that is skinny = happy/better
• The diet will be worth it no matter the time or cost.

Tools to thrive in life.

1. Talking about our struggles. It takes away the power that the struggle has over us.  There is nothing to be embarrassed about. 
2. Have the courage to ask for help!
3. Acknowledge the thoughts that are keeping you stuck. When you feel gross/fat etc “I don’t love how I am feeling right now-I wonder what is happening outside of my life that might factor in to why I am feeling this way?” DO NOT IGNORE THE THOUGHTS .
4. Be open to the statement, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THIS" ie Diet Culture's definition of beautiful, happy, strong, etc
5. The food isn’t actually the problem-it’s the thoughts about food.
6. Look at picture of younger self and talk to that inner child kindly!
7. Practice BODY NEUTRALITY. 
8. Practice food neutrality-Instead of food is good or bad.
9. Body & food neutrality is NOT glorifying obesity 
10. Don’t assume that thin people are happy “thin-ness does not = happiness”
11. What we REALLY want is to feel pretty, to be seen, to being valued AND YOU CAN FEEL THOSE THINGS IN EVERY BODY TYPE.
12. Be ok with leaning into discomfort, so you do not miss out on life experiences.
13. Take time to ask yourself "Why am I feeling ugly, etc? What is happening in my life right now that might be the real culprit?"
14.  Life is so much easier when you free up all the brain space and the energy you used to worry about all those things.
15.  It is HARD TO BELIEVE IT IS TRUE…give yourself grace as you practice.
16.  “I don’t like how my stomach looks and I am still funny, loving, Ella.” 
17.  My body is the least interesting thing about me.
18.  We don’t need to bond over "hating ourselves" comments
19.  Set boundaries in your life so you don’t surround yourself with triggering circumstances and people
20.  Don't wait “till things get bad” to get help. Seek professional help now. 
21.  Don’t be afraid to TAKE UP SPACE. 
22. Eating disorders THRIVE ON SHAME. So talk about it. Yep. it's important enough to repeat!! 

BOOKS:
"The F*** It Diet" by Carolyn Dooner
"More Than A Body" by Lindsay & Lexi Kite
"Breaking Free From Body Shame" by Jess Connolly
"8 Keys to Recovery from an Easting Disorder" by Carolyn Cos