391: Self-acceptance leads to genuine health

·29 min·2 clips

Emma asks Carla to recall the cruel self-talk she used when looking in the mirror, revealing a ritual of body judgment.

The episode begins with a promotion for a free online event about ending yo-yo dieting, linking to last week's discussion on fad diets. Emma and Carla then introduce today's topic: self-acceptance, self-compassion, self-respect, self-care, and self-love as keys to genuine health. They open with a personal anecdote about Carla's past self-talk when looking in the mirror, illustrating a ritual of body judgment and hate. Emma shares the poem 'Thoughts Are Things' by Ella Wheeler to emphasize how thoughts shape reality. The hosts propose a simple first step: skipping the morning mirror ritual entirely if you have nothing nice to say, avoiding the need for positive affirmations initially. They define self-acceptance as 'it is what it is as it is,' a philosophy from their teacher Andrew, and connect it to their Merrybody mantra: 'you're amazing just as you are.' Self-compassion is explained through examples like forgiving yourself for stumbling in speech or forgetting an email, framing mistakes as human. Carla admits to past embarrassment over such errors but now finds humor in them. The discussion acknowledges that concepts like self-compassion can feel overwhelming or impossible for those used to self-criticism. Emma notes that tools like post-it notes weren't enough for her due to ingrained negative thought patterns. The hosts transition to practical solutions, introducing yoga, Pilates, and meditation as presence practices that foster mindfulness and intention-setting. They describe Merrybody as combining these physical practices with self-acceptance, where repeated exposure to affirming messages during classes gradually shifts beliefs. Emma contrasts this with past experiences of running filled with self-hate monologues, highlighting how movement linked to enjoyment fosters mindset change. Carla emphasizes the importance of linking physical activity to presence and enjoyment, whether it's yoga, swimming, or walking. The episode critiques common fitness industry language that uses derogatory terms like 'muffin top' or frames exercise as punishment for eating, which promotes self-hate. Emma and Carla explain their rule in Merrybody classes to avoid such language, reframing exercise as a celebration of being alive and able to move. They conclude by encouraging listeners to try a free Merrybody class via a link in the show notes and announce a holiday podcast series starting in late November.

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