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  • In Matthew 11:28 Jesus promises us rest. But, how many of the ways that we seek rest are tied to striving, religious rituals, or promises made to us by marketers selling us something that promises to change our bodies. Heather hopes this episode will help you internalize the truth of the Gospel and how this can give you rest that far surpasses reaching a goal weight or having an ideal body. Heather digs into all the reasons why we have a hard time finding rest in these issues or in our recovery journey and how we can preach the Gospel to ourselves to find the rest the Bible promises.

    There are three things we need to "get" before we can find the rest the Bible promises:

    1) We need to get grace. Most of us don't understand how grace touches us every single day and is so much more than just our assurance of salvation for eternity. But, grace can help us defeat comparison, envy, and find rest in our body image and food issues.

    2) We need to get to know God. There are two big components to getting to know God: worshipping him and understanding our identity is completely formed by knowing our relationship with Him and who he is.

    3) We need to get a long view. We're reminded to think about our future--take care of your body so that you will be able to care for your grandchildren or be mobile in your senior years. There's nothing wrong with this advice, but what we really need to do is think in light of eternity. If we're only making decisions in light of what we'll be like when we're 80 or 100, we've missed out on the purpose of our lives and what God created us to do that will last for eternity.

    Heather uses the illustration of life as a sort of maze where there are lots of corners and path options that look like they'll lead to rest, but really they are dead ends. We see light coming from their corridors and think "Yay, that's my way to freedom." But, instead we just find ourselves trapped. Instead of making Jesus our co-pilot on our journey through life, we need to actually follow and trust him through the maze. This is our only way to true rest.

    Today Heather explores each of these concepts and how they can encourage and inform you as you deal with body image or eating disorder recovery and issues. Heather uses scriptures from Matthew and the parable of the talents to help you better understand God's desire to grant you rest.

    Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather's Christian books on body image and comparison, Christian body image coaching, other recommended podcast episodes, and more, go to: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Are you connected with us by email yet? Be a part of Heather's email list and you'll get messages weekly that encourage you and recommend top podcast episodes so you can stay encouraged while this show is on a two month hiatus. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Have you read the 40-Day Body Image Workbook? A new session of the 40 Day workbook journey will begin in August. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Follow Compared to Who? on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram and join our private Facebook community here.

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today Heather talks with author Stacy Reaoch about body image, aging, and what the Bible really says about these topics. They talk about aging and how scripture gives us an "upside down" perspective on aging. Heather and Stacy also talk about how priorities and the realities of life change as we age. They confess the concern they've both felt over changing bodies and wondering how to navigate the challenges of aging.

    How do we rest in the pursuit of inner beauty instead of being obsessed with pursuing outer beauty? They discuss how our ultimate mission is so much more than changing how we look but in cultivating the fruits of the spirit and trying to look more like Jesus. Are we working to look good in your coffin? Or are we investing in the attributes that last?

    Learn more about Stacy's book, "Beautiful Freedom: How the Bible Shapes Your View of Appearance, Food, and Fitness." (Amazon affiliate link)

    Learn more about Heather's books, coaching, and resources here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Check out Heather's 40-Day Body Image Workbook -- Read it like a regular book on body image issues or work through it and process your issues in a whole new way: https://amzn.to/4bEOq6b

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Today Heather talks to her friend, neuropsychologist and author, Dr. Michelle Bengtson about how we can move forward after we feel like we've done things (or had things done to us) that have caused hurt or damage to our bodies. With grace and compassion, Heather and Michelle talk about how God wants to use our scars for our good and His glory. Dr. Michelle offers tangible and practical ways to move forward in grace and healing, including the recommendation that you find someone to walk with you who has had a similar journey and can understand both your wounds and scars. They talk about the realities that some things we have done to our bodies -- via eating disorders or an unhealthy relationship with food -- may have left a visible mark, but God is not upset by or afraid to use that.

    Heather and Michelle explore how to get past the shame, how to get past the condemnation, and how to let God turn those scars into something beautiful.

    Learn more about Dr. Michelle Bengtson's brand new book, Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past is Not Wasted. (Amazon affiliate link)

    Learn more about Heather's book, the 40-Day Body Image Workbook.

    Learn more about Dr. Michelle Bengtson and all of her books here: https://www.drmichelleb.com

    Heather's other episodes featuring Dr. Michelle Bengtson include:

    Finding Hope in Pain and Suffering: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/finding-hope-in-suffering-pain-featuring-dr-michel

    Identity, Depression, and Anxiety: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/identity-depression-anxiety-how-to-find-freedom-wi

    OCD, Narcissism, Eating Disorders, and Body Image: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/ocd-narcissism-eating-disorders-body-image

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • What do I do if I feel bad about having ruined my body? How do I believe my body is good even though I feel responsible for having messed it up? Isn't God mad at me because He gave me a good body and then I messed it up by the way I ate (or didn't eat) and exercised (or didn't exercise)? Today, Heather explores the reality that our bodies are made differently and some bodies are more susceptible to issues and disease than others. But, the real answer for this struggle is a theological answer. What do we believe about sin and the consequences of sin? What do we believe about repentance and forgiveness? What do we believe about making bad choices and how God handles that?

    The questions under the question is: Has my sin ruined my life? Have my choices changed my life in such a way that I'm no longer able to live the life God planned for me? Can God still use me even though I feel like I've made bad decisions?

    Heather explains how often the sins that we believe we are guilty of around our bodies are not what we think they are. And, how the real sins of pride, envy, lust of the flesh, greed, idolatry are what was under and driving those decisions to eat or exercise in a certain way. So-called food "sins" are often not about the food at all.

    Heather also digs into the concept of guilt, worldly remorse, and true repentance. Taking inspiration from Tim Keller's sermon, The Problem With Guilt , Heather explains how these concepts can help us get out of that place where we feel stuck feeling guilty for the ways we've inappropriately cared for (or neglected) our bodies.

    This topic is nuanced and tricky, but hopefully the truth of scripture about how God is still good and still has a good plan for your life, no matter how you feel you've "messed things up," will encourage you.

    Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Learn more about the 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today Heather talks with Shannon Popkin and Lee Neinhuis, authors of a new book about comparison for teen girls, about how women of all ages are tempted to compare themselves to others. The trio discusses the challenge of finding identity in Christ. The struggle to figure out how God made you and what he made unique about you while wanting to fit in and not be "different" from everyone else. Lee and Shannon offer beautiful stories and illustrations that will encourage you and equip you to encourage a teen in your life who may struggle with comparison.

    Do you struggle with comparison? Does a teen in your life seem to always be comparing herself to others? Do you wonder how to effectively encourage teens not to compare themselves to others and to learn confidence in Christ?


    Then this episode is for you!

    Learn more about Shannon and Lee and their brand new book, Comparison-Girl for Teens here: https://leenienhuis.com/comparison-girl-for-teens/

    Buy a copy of the book here (amazon affiliate link) https://amzn.to/4bTXyDN

    Connect with Compared to Who? or learn more about the 40-Day Body Image Workbook here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Body shame is real. We've all experienced it, but what do we do about it? Earlier in May, Oprah Winfrey hosted a three-hour-long forum with body love experts, actresses, and influencers to start a conversation about bodies, weight, and how we can start changing the narrative. Titled, "Making the Shift" and hosted by WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers), the conversation had several meaningful moments where women from all over the country shared the hurt, shame, and confusion they'd felt about their body image. In today's episode, Heather digs into what happened in the Oprah conversation. She explores how the one piece missing from these eloquent conversations is the key unlocking body shame. If you've been struggling with your body size or shape, and are looking for a fresh answer that's meatier than telling yourself positive affirmations in the mirror, this conversation will be a great encouragement to you.

    There are real answers out there for your body image struggles -- and the good news is they don't require Jedi mind tricks or "naked jump roping in front of the mirror" (yes, that was from the Oprah special!!!).

    Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Compared to Who? and how to improve your body image and find freedom from body shame here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Want to join Heather and a group of amazing women in reading Heather's new 40-Day Body Image Workbook? The groups started this Tuesday but it's not too late to join! Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Listen to Tim Keller preach on identity here.

    Watch Oprah's "Making the Shift" special on YouTube.

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Summer's coming. Even if you weren't looking at the calendar you may have sensed that from the number of diet and exercise ads you see. The change of season can inspire us to set new goals and do things to try to feel better in our bodies, but what if there's a better way to meet your health goals without falling into the "going on a diet" or "following a new plan" pit? Today, Heather recommends a new way of thinking about your goals, goal setting, and how you measure success. This method can help you stay consistent, feel like you are making progress, and encourage your heart. Become the "kind of woman who..." and grow in spiritual, physical and mental health.

    Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather Creekmore's books and coaching: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook Reading Challenge (Starts Tuesday, May 21st but you can join until May 27th!) - 40-day-challenge

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Woah! Today's episode is so good whether you are a "Swiftie" or truly believe she is the "anti-hero," you're sure to get something out of it. Taylor Swift is a household name and someone most, universally, recognize for her beauty and success. But, Taylor has been open about her struggles with body image issues and an eating disorder. She's felt the same pressure and shame many of us have felt about how we look. Today, Heather looks at what we can learn about our own body image issues and the lies we believe by studying how someone as successful and beautiful as Taylor Swift, still struggles. Heather explores the concept of body image idolatry and how the "idols" our culture worships, like Taylor, make us promises about peace, rest, joy, and satisfaction that they just can't keep. Today's show ends with four important things we can all learn from Taylor Swift to help us improve our body image and help the next generation of girls not get sucked into the same body image issues that we've wrestled.

    Connect with Compared to Who: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today Heather continues her conversation with Erin Todd from Intuitive Eating for Christian Women about the expression, "Turn to Jesus, not food." While we know that Jesus should be our source for everything, is it helpful or even accurate to say that we can turn to Jesus instead of eating the food we crave? Is this how we treat other decisions surrounding our bodies and what they need (Do we say, "Turn to Jesus, not sleep?")? Today, Heather and Erin continue their conversations to hash out what is helpful to remember about turning to God, and how this expression may sound more like diet culture than the Bible.

    If you've ever felt guilt and shame over giving into a craving at night or eating that food you swore to yourself not to eat, and then told yourself you should have turned to "Jesus not food," this episode is for you.

    Connect with Compared to Who: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Connect with Erin or listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast Here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com/

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Heather Creekmore and special guest Erin Todd delve into an expression we've heard a lot in Christian circles: "Turn to Jesus Not Food." We've all been there. It's late, you've had a hard day. And what you really want it brownies, or cookies, or the ice cream. Maybe you bake or maybe you drive to the store. You give in. You eat the thing that you had hoped you wouldn't. It's like the craving took over. And, now you feel guilt, shame, and worse: You wonder if you've sinned by turning to food not Jesus. You believe you should have just prayed the craving away or handled the emotional need in a way that did not include food.

    Today Heather and Erin unpack this expression. They talk about whether or not our physical food cravings are sinful. They discuss how eating can and does help a stressed or tired body calm down, but how this doesn't have to be the only tool in the tool belt. Erin and Heather also talk about the importance of really listening to our bodies so that we can nourish them appropriately. We don't always have to "give in" to the cravings, but neither do we have to over-spiritualize them.

    Heather and Erin reference these episodes today:

    Gwen Shamblin and Starving for Salvation: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin

    Gluttony Part 1: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-gluttony-really-what-the-bible-really-says

    Exploring Every Bible Verse on Gluttony: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part

    Connect with Compared to Who: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Connect with Erin or listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast Here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com/

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today Heather chats with Amy Connell about the ways we as moms who were fully entrenched in diet culture can start to change the conversations in our home around food and body. Amy and Heather were both fitness instructors and focused on “health education” trying to, out of love, do what was best for their kids around food and exercise. But, as they discuss today, some of what they did was likely unhelpful. As the research shows, some of the rules they enforced and the ways they modeled a restrictive relationship with food or over-emphasized exercise may have sent the wrong message to their kids.

    Amy and Heather talk about how our children and teens are on the journey with us out of diet culture, whether they know it or not. They talk about how tricky it can be to have our children watch our pendulum swing from restricting all the foods or maybe always being on a diet to giving up dieting and trying to eat more intuitively.

    They also discuss how our kids—both boys and girls--are being influenced by social media and YouTube influencers around what they should eat and how they should look or exercise. They talk about how to manage this challenge when you are trying to teach your children and teens a different way.

    Similarly, Amy and Heather talk about helping our children see the agenda that the culture has for them--and how diet culture plays into this agenda that wants them to be so focused on food, exercise, body, and appearance that they can miss out on what God has for them and find themselves in anxiety, depression, eating disorders or worse.

    You'll be encouraged by today's podcast, share it with a friend or leave a review!

    Ready to sign up for the 40-day body image workbook reading journey? We start May 21st! Learn more or sign up here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Purchase Amy's new book, Your CORE Strength on most online stores including Amazon and Bookshop if you prefer to support independent bookstores. All formats, including paperback, ebook and audiobook are available.


    You may also grab the Parents Guide - a Cliffs notes version for you to learn the main concepts as well as receive other helpful resources like recommended Instagram accounts, books and podcasts, and ways to support your daughter.


    Want some more Christ-centered, diet-culture-free encouragement for your daughter? Invite her to listen to Amy's podcast for Christian teen girls, Lessons to My Teenage Self (also on YouTube if they aren't regular podcast listeners.)
    Connect with Amy:@gracedhealth (for women over 40)@lessons.pod (for teens)
    GracedHealth.com

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Are you trying to do everything right to be “healthier” but feeling overwhelmed with all the rules? Have you been sucked into watching a "master class," influencer videos, or subscribing to the program of an influencer who offers the “right” ways to eat, act, and move so that we can beat all our diseases or live a long life? Today Heather questions the food rules, whether or not they are helpful, too severe or disordered, and whether or not they are healthy for us spiritually and mentally (do they invoke humility or pride?). Is food the most important thing to our health or, if we look at history, are we putting too much emphasis on our food rules and the connection they have to optimal health? What about the ways we personally believe or hold to our own health and food rules? Are we willing to try anything and do anything to get what the idol of health gives us? Do we believe that we’ve “lost our lives” and do we try everything because we are desperate to “get our lives back”?

    In this information age, it's easy to believe that the end of all of our suffering is available if only we just work hard enough to find it. This can put us on a wild scavenger hunt to find the end to our sufferings. But, if it doesn't work, or even if it does, how does this affect our mental and spiritual health?

    Heather closes the show with five suggestions to help anyone be more discerning about health programs and their offerings, and what we click on.

    Learn more about Heather and Compared to Who? by visiting: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Join the 40 Day Reading Challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • You know those ads you see on social media or in your YouTube sidebar? The ones that tell you they have all the secrets to weight loss, optimal health, healing your thyroid, or fixing your autoimmune disease? Heather decided to investigate! She clicked, watched, and studied. Today she reveals what she learned, how the answers were the same, and how they were different. Today's show tackles the challenge of how we all want to take care of our health and steward our bodies well, but how easily manipulated or over-whelmed we can be by influencers who have the programs and solutions that are supposed to fix us. Today Heather explores how we reconcile this tension between being responsible and taking care of my health and being obsessive and feeling like it’s all on me to make sure I keep my body as healthy as possible to live a long healthy life.

    She also talks about the temptation we face when we start fantasizing about how great life will be if we can follow the plan and get optimally healthy and avoid all struggle. And, how eerily similar this is to the same game many of us played around trying different diets that promised to solve our weight "problems."

    Today Heather talks more specifically about the ways these influencers approach the “science” and the “root cause” of our thyroid, autoimmune, or weight loss issues. And how their solutions varied.

    Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • How can we age well? Internet searches tell us that aging well is about wearing sunscreen, avoiding smoking, drinking less, eating right, and exercising more. But, the focus on aging seems to be all about our bodies, but what about our souls? Can having a more eternal perspective allow us to face the reality of aging and to get real about the ways our bodies are failing while remembering and feeling energized by the real purpose and why we were put on this earth? Today, Heather looks at the importance of community and friendships to aging well. She also talks about the hopefulness and joy that can come from keeping in mind that we are eternal beings. She talks about how God’s faithfulness to us through the years we’ve already lived can remind us that He will be faithful to be with us as we age, even if we face physical or mental struggles. She also talks about how remembering that you are a "Forever Person" can help you keep your focus on what's really important without getting too fixated on what's happening to your body in the aging process.

    Want to read Heather’s new aging devotional? Learn more and grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/aging-gratefully

    Want to read the 40 Day Body Image Workbook and join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook reading group that starts May 21st? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • The percentage of women (and some men) using Botox to get rid of signs of aging has skyrocketed! Of course, the Bible doesn't have any specific instructions on whether or not it's okay for us to get Botox. Today, Heather explores the topic from every angle--physically, mentally, and spiritually--to allow you to decide for yourself whether or not Botox injections are okay for you. Listen so you can make a thoughtful and informed decision about this very common practice here in the U.S.

    New to the show? Learn more about Compared to Who? and listen to the top episodes here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/podcast

    Learn more about Heather's brand new book on aging called: Aging Gratefully- A 30-Day Devotional for Women

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today we continue our mini-series on aging and explore the tricky topic of what to do when your clothes no longer fit. Heather talks about the reality that women's bodies do change and that over the years we will wear different sizes because our bodies will respond to aging, stress, pregnancies, and other changes in our lives in physical ways. So, what do you do when you have a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear? Heather offers encouragement over how to not feel shame about getting rid of clothes that aren't the right size, what to do when you're stressing out about having to go up or change sizes, and how you can turn the narrative of shame around getting rid of clothes into a beautiful way to bless others. If you've got a closet full of clothes from decades past, this episode is for you.

    Learn more about the 40 Day Body Image Workbook Reading Challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

    Learn more about Heather's brand new book: Aging Gratefully here: books-for-christian-women-body-image

    Are you new to the podcast? Find out what episodes to start with here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/podcast

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today host Heather Creekmore delves into the topic of aging and the fear that often accompanies it. She talks about the cultural pressure to stay young, the struggle with body image, and the desire to remain relevant in a society that values youth. Heather shares insights from her new book, "Aging Gratefully," a 30-day devotional for women that covers various aspects of aging, from bodily changes to finding purpose in midlife and beyond. Throughout the discussion, she encourages listeners to consider the biblical perspective on aging and to embrace the reality of getting older with gratitude and trust in God's plan.

    Heather's discussion spans a range of topics surrounding aging, including the cultural pressures and myths associated with aging, the changing seasons of life, and the fear of becoming irrelevant. She also highlights the biblical perspective on aging, offering a refreshingly positive viewpoint on something our culture points to as negative.

    One significant topic Heather focused on was the symbolism of graying hair and how it has been distorted by cultural messages. Drawing from Proverbs 16:31, Heather shares how marketers convinced us that gray hair would ruin our lives, but how the Bible tells us that gray hair is a crown of glory, representing wisdom and victory.

    As we dive into the concept of aging gratefully, Heather challenges us to shift our mindset away from cultural norms and expectations and embrace the unique beauty that comes with every season of life.

    Get your copy of Aging Gratefully here: books-for-christian-women-body-image

    Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • If you've been in church for even a few minutes you've likely heard that you should derive your identity from Christ. But how does one do that--especially when we've been conditioned from birth to perform for applause or be the type of person who makes everyone else smile in approval? Today, Heather digs into this topic of how we change where we find our applause. It's not that we go from seeking the applause of others to being content with the applause of ourselves (that's what culture says to do.) Instead, it's that we find a source of applause far greater than ourselves or those around us. We recognize, through the Gospel, the delight of God!

    If you're tired of trying to please everyone...or living for compliments and approval and it never being enough, this episode is for you. You'll be encouraged in ways to find a strength and peace in your self-image that outlasts and outdoes anything you could achieve through your own accomplishments. The pressure is off!

    Heather's inspiration piece for this episode is the sermon "The Sickness Unto Death" preached by Dr. Tim Keller. You can listen to the full sermon here: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-sickness-unto-death/

    Scripture references for today can be found in Jeremiah 9:23-34 and 1 Corinthians 4.

    Are you ready to improve your body image? Find out about great resources, coaching, and other opportunities at https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Don't forget to leave a review! Those are a huge blessing to this ministry!

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Did you know that the 24 hour work day was created around how men work best, but not women? Today, Heather’s guest Dr. Victoria Pait offers fascinating and helpful information about how women can start to work better with their bodies by syncing their lives to their cycles and better understanding the rhythms of our bodies. Heather and Dr. Pait talk about what’s going on in a woman’s body throughout the four phases of the menstrual cycle. They also talk about how to cope as hormonal levels change or dip during peri-menopause. She even explains what happens to our bodies during this time and what we can do to best support our bodies during all seasons.

    When is the best time of the month to connect with others? Why do you sometimes feel like hiding or being anti-social? How can you maximize those days of the month when you feel great and plan for extra rest or alone time on those days when you don’t? How hard should you be exercising or what is the best way to exercise during your cycle or in peri-menopause? How can you improve your sleep? You’ll be amazed by the helpful information Dr. Pait shares today.

    Connect with Dr. Victoria Pait here:

    https://www.Instagram.com/Drvictoriapait

    https://www.Instagram.com/victorymountchiropractic

    https://www.victorymountchiro.com

    Learn more about Compared to Who? and Christian body image coaching here:

    https://www.improvebodyimage.com

    Have you seen Heather's newest book on aging? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

  • Today Heather has a candid conversation with author and blogger, Sheila Gregoire. They dive deep into the impact of purity culture on women's body image, self-esteem, and relationships. Although the hearts and motives may have started in the right place -- as a response to the 1960s, there have been some detrimental effects of certain modesty and purity culture teachings on both young girls and adult women. Sheila sheds light on how these teachings can lead to damaging beliefs, body image issues, and vulnerability to abusive relationships.

    The conversation delves into crucial topics such as the damaging effects of purity culture on millennial women, the intersection of Christian teachings and body image struggles, and debunking harmful beliefs about the male-female dynamic. Sheila and Heather share personal experiences and insights, offering a thought-provoking discussion that challenges harmful teachings and advocates for body acceptance based on scripture.

    If you're interested in gaining valuable insights into this critical topic, don't miss out on this impactful episode. Here are a few other key topics from the conversation:

    Purity culture and Christian teachings have had damaging effects on women, leading to lower self-esteem, sexual pain disorders, and an increased likelihood of marrying an abuser. Are men more visual? The data Sheila shares around this may absolutely stun you! Harmful messages around modesty and responsibility for men's behavior have perpetuated damaging beliefs, desensitized girls to relationship red flags, and reinforced harmful dynamics between men and women. Exploring these issues is crucial for promoting body acceptance based on scripture and addressing damaging teachings in order to positively impact women's lives and relationships.

    Connect with Sheila and learn more about her new book here: She Deserves Better (Amazon affiliate link)

    Learn more about Sheila's ministry at https://baremarriage.com/

    Are you ready for body image coaching or some personalized help? Visit www.improvebodyimage.com for more options and body image encouragement.

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.