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In this episode we talk about body confidence in midlife. As bodies, skin, hair and energy levels change, old and new negative body image thoughts can emerge, and the pull of the anti-aging and diet culture narrative adds pressure. 

So what you can do in the moment when body image distress flares up? We share some personal examples, and some tools we have learned and practiced ourselves and with our clients.

Some takeaways:

  1. Midlife can be a choice point. You have agency!
  2. Beware the “shoulds”. Movement is valuable, but fear-based messaging about osteoporosis and longevity can take away joy and agency. 
  3. How you feel colours how you see yourself. Your mood, the lighting and the mirror all affect what you see. When body thoughts flare up, ask “what else is going on?” because it may not be about your body at all.
  4. Don’t try to fix it in the moment. Googling, photographing, body-checking and buying products feed the cycle. Nothing is urgent, and the sense of urgency is itself a signal to pause.
  5. Build your tolerance for discomfort. Sitting with the urge to check or fix, and learning that nothing bad happens, widens your window of tolerance. 

Some tools we discussed for in-the-moment support:

  • Moving your body to get embodied and gain distance from the thoughts
  • Walking, running, or getting fresh air
  • Progressive muscle relaxation (tensing and releasing each body part)
  • Pushing against a wall or doorway, or punching a pillow
  • Long, slow breathing (long inhale, longer exhale), when you’re calm enough for it
  • Changing into something comfortable, fun or loose
  • Wearing clothes that fit your body now, including secondhand or cheaper options, and refreshing your wardrobe as your body changes
  • Looking in the mirror once, then not going back

We hope you find this episode helpful! Please leave a review, share and like it - it helps other people find us and our podcast!

We appreciate you

Ela & Christine x

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Please reach out if you would like some support with your relationship to food OR movement. Ela currently has limited spaces for Intuitive Eating coaching and if you'd like to reconnect with movement, contact Christine.  If you'd like exclusive access to our supporter-only channel click here.

We appreciate you 

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