Introduction: Discovering True Body Love
Do you love your body? Maybe you do, maybe you don’t, or maybe you’re not sure. As the creator of the ‘Love Your Body, Love Yourself’ program, Marla Mervis Hartmann helps women discover their yes to that profound question. In our recent conversation, Marla opened up about her journey towards loving her body and herself, offering valuable insights that challenge common perceptions about body love.
Marla’s approach goes beyond just approving of our so-called flaws. Instead, she redefines loving yourself as a proactive action, one that doesn’t necessarily hinge on how we look. This article delves into Marla’s transformative journey, her strategies for body image healing, and practical steps we can take to befriend ourselves.
Listen to the Podcast Episode, or Read the Summary Below
Loving Your Body: More Than Just Acceptance
Loving your body isn’t merely about convincing yourself to embrace every perceived flaw. According to Marla, it’s an active practice.
Action Over Approval:
Loving yourself is an ongoing action. It’s about how you treat yourself daily, even when your body may not meet your standards.
Body Image Healing:
Engaging in activities that foster a positive body image can shift the focus from appearance to appreciation
Marla’s Story: From Eating Disorder Recovery to Body Acceptance
Marla’s journey towards body love has been anything but straightforward. She candidly shared her experiences with eating disorder recovery, revealing how crucial it was for her growth.
Struggles and Triumphs:
Marla’s battle with eating disorders marked a significant chapter in her life, and her recovery process was grounded in the development of a healthier self-image.
Spiritual Practices:
Incorporating spiritual practices such as Reiki played a pivotal role in her healing journey, aiding her in cultivating self-love and acceptance.
The Role of Reiki in Body Image Healing
Reiki, a practice that promotes energy balance and spiritual healing, can be a powerful tool in fostering a loving relationship with your body. Marla advocates for its use and even shared a simple two-minute Reiki practice that can be easily tried at home.
Reiki Practice for Self-Love
- Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
- Place your hands gently over your heart.
- Take deep breaths and visualize yourself enveloped in a warm, loving light.
- Stay in this space, allowing feelings of love and acceptance to fill you.
Eating Disorder Recovery: Steps to Befriend Yourself
If you’re on a journey of eating disorder recovery, befriending yourself is key. Marla offers several strategies to support this process:
- Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that recovery and body acceptance is a gradual process.
- Create Positive Rituals: Engage in daily activities that reinforce self-love, like Reiki, journaling, or mindfulness exercises.
- Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance and surround yourself with a supportive community.
Key Takeaways for Embracing Body Love
Marla’s insights illuminate practical ways to love your body and yourself, emphasizing actions over mere approval.
- Love as an Action: Treating yourself with kindness, irrespective of physical appearance.
- Focus on Healing: Prioritize activities and practices that foster a healthy body image.
- Embrace Spirituality: Utilize spiritual practices like Reiki to cultivate self-love and inner peace.
Conclusion: Start Your Journey Today
Befriending yourself and loving your body is a continuous journey that requires patience and dedication. As Marla Mervis Hartmann’s story and guidance show, cultivating body love and achieving eating disorder recovery is within reach. Begin with small, actionable steps, and remember that your journey is uniquely yours.
Embrace your path towards body image healing and discover the profound impact of truly befriending yourself
Connect with Marla Mervis-Hartmann
After experiencing years of dysfunction in relation to food, exercise, and body confidence, Marla transformed her life through the radical act of self-compassion and friending herself. She has since used her experiences to help empower people as they choose appreciation for their bodies, honor themselves through nourishing lifestyle choices, and cultivate confidence along the way. Currently, Marla lives in Maui with her husband, Olaf, and son, Aspen–where she works full-time as a professional coach,Tedx speaker, author of BE-Friend Yourself and Living Light Reiki Master and Instructor.
Pre-Order Marla’s Book: Be-Friend Yourself
About the Host
Kim Hagle(she/her) is a Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist, Non-Diet Nutritionist, and certified Health and Life Coach specializing in body image.
She is passionate about helping women develop a trusting and respectful relationship with their body so they can feel healthy, happy and confident while leaving food rules, torturous exercise and body dissatisfaction behind and confidently create their best life – right now!
Offering cognitive behavioural coaching and weight neutral personal training, Kim supports her clients to feel their very best, both IN and ABOUT their body.
Radiant Vitality – Kim Hagle
Body Image Coaching – Size Inclusive Fitness – Non-Diet Nutrition
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