Shame & The Scale: Our Atrocious Relationship with Weight & Body Image

In this episode, host Kyira Wackett and guest Bri Wilkerson discuss shame in relation to body image and weight. They share their personal experiences and explore the societal pressures and messages that contribute to body shame. They also discuss the importance of self-acceptance and the ongoing work of shame resilience. The conversation touches on topics such as control, achievement, and the impact of motherhood on body image. Overall, the episode highlights the need to challenge societal norms and cultivate a positive relationship with our bodies. In this conversation, Brianna and Kyira discuss their struggles with body image and the pressure to conform to societal standards. They explore the impact of shame and the importance of self-acceptance. They also discuss the role of numbers, such as weight and grades, in measuring self-worth. They emphasize the need to prioritize values over metrics and to embrace wonder and curiosity in life. Brianna shares her journey of learning to love herself and the importance of modeling self-love for her children. They conclude by encouraging listeners to be kind to themselves and to focus on one small step towards self-love. Takeaways Societal pressures and messages contribute to body shame, regardless of gender identity or expression. Shame resilience is a lifelong pursuit, and it involves constantly reevaluating our relationship with our bodies. Body image and weight can become a source of control and validation, but it's important to detach our worth from these external factors. Challenging societal norms and cultivating a positive relationship with our bodies is essential for our overall well-being. Body image struggles and the pressure to conform to societal standards can lead to feelings of shame and a negative self-image. Numbers, such as weight and grades, are often used as metrics to measure self-worth, but it's important to prioritize values and self-acceptance over external measurements. Embracing wonder and curiosity in life can help shift the focus away from appearance and towards self-acceptance and personal growth. Modeling self-love and acceptance for our children is essential in creating a healthy body image and self-esteem. Being kind to ourselves and taking small steps towards self-love is a lifelong journey that requires patience and compassion. More about Brianna: Brianna Wilkerson is a Holistic Health Coach, essential oils fanatic, fitness instructor, podcast host, wife and momma, and matcha tea lover. She helps busy mommas prioritize their health & self-care so they can feel healthy, strong and confident no matter what season of motherhood they are in. She also helps moms use natural solutions like essential oils to care for their health, home and family. Connect with Brianna: Website Instagram Facebook Resources: Somewhere Over the Rainbow; Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Ready to take the next step? Download the FREE handout, "5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day" and start making those daily shifts to break that shame cycle that's keeping you stuck in that negative headspace. Book a free 25-minute discovery call to discuss different program options and find the support best fits your needs. Stay Connected: Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and be sure to leave a review to let us know your thoughts on this episode. YouTube Website Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: The Overwhelming Pressures of Body Image 04:00 - Shame as a Topic of Conversation 06:19 - Increasing Comfort in Sitting with Shame 13:31 - The Safety Net of Our Bodies 21:07 - Reevaluating Success and Body Acceptance 29:50 - Navigating Body Image Struggles and Societal Standards 34:05 - Moving Beyond Numbers: Prioritizing Values Over Metrics 36:31 - Embracing Wonder and Curiosity in Life 44:53 - The Impact of Shame and the Importance of Self-Acceptance 53:20 - Being Kind to Ourselves: One Small Step Towards Self-Love 55:19 Modeling Self-Love for Our Children