From the time I was five until just about a year ago, I did not have a loving relationship with my body.

Five sounds young, but it was then that I realized that I looked “different.” I had a belly and other girls in my class didn’t.

Fast forward 35 years later… I still struggle from time to time with that vision in the mirror, but I’ve learned to be kinder to the vessel that houses me.

How did I get to that point? For one thing, I began to understand that health isn’t necessarily represented by a number on the scale. Just because a person is “thin,” doesn’t she is well.

Rebecca Scritchfield, RD, is a firm believer in that also. Rebecca recently joined HER Radio host, Dr. Pam Peeke, to share some of her top tips for finding kindness for your body and your self.

A huge issue we all face in terms of body appreciation is battling all the negative self-talk. Did you know that on an average day, a woman will think 13 negative things about her body? To be honest, that’s probably on the low end. Rebecca suggests implementing a body kindness balance sheet: every time you think something negative about yourself, catch that and follow it up with a compliment.

It’s also important to find gratitude and respect for your current body state, even if it’s not in a place you’re completely happy with. If you can redirect the negative energy into positivity and inspiration, you might make large strides without even realizing it. And, by doing that over and over again, you can actually retrain your brain.

Another troubling problem is emotional eating, particularly in our overly-stressed lives. Rebecca reminds us that ALL emotions, good or bad, are beneficial; they serve a purpose. Let yourself feel what you’re going to feel, then engage in a non-eating activity that will neutralize the negative emotion (a “distraction”), such as walking your dog, doing a crossword puzzle, or tuning out with some YouTube kitten videos.

A good way to approach kindness to yourself is to remember PACT:

Presence. Pay attention to what’s happening right now that matters.
Acceptance: Be okay with how you think and feel, even if you don’t decide to act on those thoughts and feelings.
Choose: Examine your options.
Take Immediate Action: Do what will have the most impact on your life.

Finally, hold hope in the trend of body positivity, inclusivity and non-judgment. Put your weight, shape and appearance on the back burner and instead focus on what makes you healthier human being.

This was a fantastic episode, helpful for both men and women. I encourage you to take a listen.