5. Fat is Something You HAVE...Not Something You ARE!

In this week's episode, Melyssa rants about her personal (upsetting) experience with a health coach and discusses how she continues to battle weight stigma and body image issues. Educate: Shifting your language around describing yourself and your body can help shift your mindset. Empower: Reflect on your positive characteristics Engage: Write yourself positive affirmations to build your mental muscles of positivity! Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review! Additional Information: Join our FREE Change Maker Community here! Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here! Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck Email Melyssa at: [email protected] Visit our website: healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/ Join our Lifestyle Medicine Mini-Makeover: 7-Day Positive Health Habit Challenge! This episode is sponsored by Not Only Pants - love your body, love our leggings! Save 20% off your order by using the code "CHANGEMAKER" at checkout! Intro/Outro music: You Got Me by Higher Self - license free music provided by Pure Energy GO! Podcast Sponsor music: On Hold by Les Verde Orchestra - license free music provided by Pure Energy GO! In this episode, Melyssa expresses gratitude for the growing audience and shares a personal experience with a health coach that reignited struggles with weight and body image. The episode discusses the harmful impacts of equating health with size and challenges the focus on weight as an indicator of health through a negative coaching experience. Melyssa advocates for a shift in language and perspective towards a more compassionate, weight-neutral approach to oneself and offers strategies for combating negative body image, including recognizing unhelpful narratives, changing self-talk, and practicing self-affirmation and gratitude for one's body. The episode aims to empower listeners to rethink their relationship with their bodies and to cultivate self-love and acceptance. 00:00 Welcome and Gratitude 00:42 Body Image and Health Misconceptions 01:20 Personal Experience with a Health Coach 02:00 Expert vs Coach Approach 02:45 The Impact of Negative Coaching 05:33 The Wellness Incentive and BMI 08:38 The Importance of Process Goals 09:25 Dealing with Negative Self-Talk 11:15 The Power of Words and Self-Affirmations 14:14 Overcoming Body Image Issues 20:00 Creating Positive Self-Talk Statements 22:11 Conclusion and Gratitude