0

CALL ME : 0409 989 260

EMAIL: info@pambailey.net

Head shot close up.jpg
  • Home

  • About Pam

  • Services

  • Shop

  • Pam's Blog

  • Contact

  • More

    All you have to do is love your body – What’s so hard about that?


    As you probably know I’m a Global Ambassador for the Body Image Movement (BIM) and talking about body image is my absolute passion. So I spend a lot of time and energy watching & participating in the world of body image and body positivity. Recently I’ve been following podcasts, blogs and Facebook groups in this field and it’s really got me thinking. There are a lot of messages telling us that we must learn to LOVE our bodies but I wonder if we are setting ourselves up for failure in the short term. I think I’d prefer to suggest loving our bodies could be better as a long term goal. Many of us have spent years hating our bodies or at least disliking them. In my case it’s been decades as I’m now 60 – most of you are probably younger so decades might not apply!


    So where does all this hate/dislike come from?

    From a young age we receive messages that suggest we are not good enough unless we change something about ourselves. Many of the messages are subtle but they still slip into our subconscious and can affect us throughout life. The messages could originate from an innocent comment by a relative, family friend or other figure of authority such a teacher or church member. Here are just a couple of examples:

    • Susan is so clever but Sarah will be the one the boys go for

    • Let’s put the ribbon in your hair, you will look so much prettier

    • Perhaps some make up will help

    • It’s just baby fat, you’ll look better when you grow out of it

    When we reach our teens and adulthood the media kicks in, with it’s constant barrage of advertising. There is a never ending variety of products, treatments, programmes and surgeries we apparently need to make ourselves acceptable, pretty, confident, thin, glamorous, happier etc etc. In particular we see diet after diet that promises to give us confidence, happiness and love. All we have to do is follow the plan, drink the shakes and lose the weight and our lives will magically change, but do we really see what they promise? I think not. And don’t even think about showing any signs of aging. There are plenty of lotions, potions & surgeries available to prevent that from happening. Then of course there is always gastric surgery – my personal favourite. Why not butcher your body, leaving you with a miniature stomach that can only hold a tiny amount of food for the rest of your life. This can lead to so many complications, not to mention that it doesn't address the reason you gained the weight in the first place which probably has some emotional or trauma background.


    We are constantly bombarded with photos of airbrushed models as the ideal image that we feel obliged to strive for, but we are striving for something that is impossible - it doesn't exist. If we saw those models in real life we probably wouldn’t even recognise them.

    No wonder we feel inadequate

    It's Not Your Fault!

    All those years of brainwashing are hard to overcome and that’s what is required for us to truly love our bodies.


    I know that even though my attitude to my body changed dramatically when I discovered the Body Image Movement a couple of years ago and when I saw Embrace I had an epiphany that made such a huge difference to my life. I realised that what my body looks like is insignificant, what is more important is what I have to say, what I have to share with the world & how I can help others. Yet despite that I admit that I still don’t truly love all parts of my body. However what I have done is ACCEPTED that it is how it is and unless I am prepared to do something drastic to change my size, shape and age, then this is how it will stay. I’ve tried the drastic approach before and it’s not fun – restrictive diets, deprivation of food, hunger, excessive exercise, binges etc etc.


    So my recommendation is that you aim for body acceptance which is a much more achievable goal. That doesn't mean that you might not be able to reach Body Love at some point, just start with Baby Steps first.


    Acceptance might well be the first steps

    of a longer journey to Body Love.


    If this article has struck a chord with you and you would like to start your journey of acceptance, then why not join me in my next workshop "Make Peace With Food & Your Body". There are 3 locations to choose from Roleystone (Perth Hills), Perth (close to the city) & Coolangatta in Queensland. There is a Facebook Event for each venue on the Embrace All of You Page HERE. All the details are the same for Perth & Coolangatta, just different dates & venues. Exact venue details will be provided closer to the workshop dates. Bookings can be made HERE.

    Tags:

    • #lifecoach
    • #Embrace
    • #change
    • #pambailey
    • #embraceallofyou
    • Workshops
    • #bodyimage
    • #selfdiscovery
    • Binge Eating
    • #loveyourbody
    • #ConsciousEatingCoach
    • nutrition
    • #gastricsurgery
    • #diets
    • #peacewithfoodandbody
    • #bodyacceptance
    • #coolangatta
    • #perth
    • #roleystone
    • #inadequate
    • @notgoodenough
    • #fat
    • #confident
    • #happy
    • #thinner
    • #acceptable
    • #photoshopped
    • #airbrushed
    • #notyourfault
    Featured Posts
    How grateful are you for the freedom you enjoy today?

    How grateful are you for the freedom you enjoy today?

    {"items":["5f76c092fa080e001763835e"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Strips","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"fill","cubeRatio":"100%/100%","isVertical":false,"gallerySize":30,"collageDensity":0.8,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":true,"imageMargin":0,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":false,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":true,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":1,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":120,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":false,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":true,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":3,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":"SHOW_ON_HOVER","galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":true,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":1,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":18,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":160,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":0,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":50,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":220,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":5,"targetItemSize":220,"selectedLayout":"5|bottom|1|fill|false|1|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":5,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":0,"externalInfoWidth":0},"container":{"width":220,"height":284,"galleryWidth":220,"galleryHeight":123,"scrollBase":0}}
    Recent Posts
    One in three Australians are estimated to be deficient in magnesium.  Why does that matter & wha

    One in three Australians are estimated to be deficient in magnesium. Why does that matter & wha

    Is your life a dream or a nightmare?

    Is your life a dream or a nightmare?

    12 Foods to Combat the Cold & Flu Season

    12 Foods to Combat the Cold & Flu Season

    6 Steps to Self-Compassion

    6 Steps to Self-Compassion

    6 Quick Tips to Stay Healthy

    6 Quick Tips to Stay Healthy

    All you have to do is love your body – What’s so hard about that?

    All you have to do is love your body – What’s so hard about that?

    From Hidden to Revealed

    From Hidden to Revealed

    Pam’s ‘Expansion’ in the Canadian Spotlight

    Pam’s ‘Expansion’ in the Canadian Spotlight

    5 Words to Eliminate From Your Life

    5 Words to Eliminate From Your Life

    Feeling tired, dizzy, lethargic, irritable or forgetful?

    Feeling tired, dizzy, lethargic, irritable or forgetful?

    {"items":["5f76c092685f230017baba85","5f76c092685f230017baba86","5f76c092685f230017baba87","5f76c092685f230017baba88","5f76c092685f230017baba89","5f76c092685f230017baba8a","5f76c092685f230017baba8b","5f76c092685f230017baba8c","5f76c092685f230017baba8d","5f76c092685f230017baba8e"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Columns","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"max","cubeRatio":1.7777777777777777,"isVertical":true,"gallerySize":30,"collageAmount":0,"collageDensity":0,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":false,"imageMargin":22,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":true,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":false,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":0,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":50,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":false,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":false,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":4,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":["SHOW_ON_THE_RIGHT","SHOW_BELOW"],"galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":false,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":0,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":23,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":200,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":60,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":75,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":1000,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"itemBorderColor":{"themeName":"color_12","value":"rgba(175,203,224,0)"},"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":2,"calculateTextBoxHeightMode":"MANUAL","targetItemSize":1000,"selectedLayout":"2|bottom|1|max|true|0|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":2,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":60,"externalInfoWidth":0.75},"container":{"width":220,"galleryWidth":242,"galleryHeight":0,"scrollBase":0,"height":null}}
    Follow Us
    • @embraceallofyou
    • @notgoodenough
    • #acceptable
    • #action
    • #action#bucketlist
    • #actions
    • #airbrushed
    • #antibiotics
    • #avocado
    • #B12
    • #Banff
    • #bloodpressure
    • #blurredvision
    • #bodyacceptance
    • #bodyimage
    • #but
    • #Canada
    • #change
    • #coaching
    • #coldandflu
    • #comparison
    • #confident
    • #ConsciousEatingCoach
    • #coolangatta
    • #cravings
    • #death
    • #diets
    • #dizziness
    • #dreamlife
    • #dreams
    • #Embrace
    • #embraceallofyou
    • #enery
    • #Evaluateyourlife
    • #ExpansionLive
    • #facingfears
    • #fat
    • #fatigue
    • #FeelGoodFacilitator
    • #feelings
    • #food
    • #foodasmedicine
    • #forgetful
    • #forgiveness
    • #fulfilled
    • #gastricsurgery
    • #goals
    • #grief
    • #guthealth
    • #happy
    • #health
    • #healthy
    • #heart
    • #Ihaveembraced
    • #illness
    • #immunity
    • #inadequate
    • #infection
    • #Internationalspeaker
    • #irritable
    • #joy
    • #just
    • #kindness
    • #LakeLouise
    • #lethargic
    • #lifecoach
    • #lifepurpose
    • #loveyourbody
    • #magnesium
    • #might
    • #mindfulness
    • #muscles
    • #naturalremedies
    • #negativethoiughts
    • #negativethoughts
    Search By Tags
    • October 2018 (2)
    • June 2018 (1)
    • April 2018 (1)
    • March 2018 (1)
    • February 2018 (1)
    • December 2017 (1)
    • July 2017 (1)
    • April 2017 (1)
    • March 2017 (1)
    • February 2017 (1)
    • January 2017 (1)
    • December 2016 (1)
    • November 2016 (1)
    • July 2016 (1)
    • June 2016 (1)
    • May 2016 (1)
    • April 2016 (1)
    • March 2016 (1)
    • April 2015 (1)
    • December 2014 (1)
    • November 2014 (1)
    Archive
    • Facebook Basic Square
    • Twitter Basic Square
    • Google+ Basic Square

    Contact:

    Pam Bailey

    info@pambailey.net

    0452 464 818

    Disclaimer:

    The information contained on this site is not offered as a substitute for professional advice. If you require professional advice on any aspect of health, nutrition and diet, you should consult a qualified Health Care Professional.  Pam Bailey is a Certified Eating Psychology Coach & a qualified Nutritionist holding a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional Medicine).  She consults on an individual basis, as well as conducting seminars and workshops on a wide range of eating, nutrition and food related health topics.

     

    © 2015 by Pam Bailey Coaching.

    Proudly created with Wix.com

    What truly nourishes you

    What truly nourishes you

    Fruit

    Fruit

    Pam

    Pam

    1/15
    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Embrace All of You does not provide the services of a registered dietician, psychologist or medical professional. Any information received should not be construed as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for consulting a registered health professional.

    Content on this web site is for educational and informational purposes only.

    ​

    Copyright © 2015-2017 Pam Bailey, Perth, Western Australia