Let out your Inner Lion!

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Do one thing every day that scares you!

How will you challenge yourself today?

Slow Down, you crazy child!

"Wow, you eat really fast don't you?"

I glanced up from my meal with my roommate, looked down, and replied "yes, I guess I do. I need to work on that"

Cause that's what being Guiltless is about, right?

Acknowledging that no one is perfect and we all have things we could work on to make ourselves happier, healthier, and more satisfied.

My name is Elizabeth Jarrard and I am a speedy eater. I don't feel like I rush through my meal, but I definitely can eat at quite the clip. And as much as I advocate mindful, intuitive eating, it's also something I am working on myself.

So this week I'm challenging myself to slow down and make sure I am eating my meals with intent and mindfulness. How hungry am I? Am I full? Am I satisfied? What am I craving? Can I chew that 5 more times and savor every single nuance of flavor? This will be the week that I slow down. Maybe i'll love it, i know i'll learn something!

What things challenge you this week?

Think about it: Women's vs Men's Magz

Just a thought for Friday:**image shared by our friend Allison**
Agree?

Pizza Love Affair

This clip says it all.


Enjoy your bodies. Live your life. And eat some really super delicious pizza (hold the guilt)!

More than just a pretty face...

by: Stephanie Horton

Lindsey and Lexi Kite are making a difference in the world, and I want to tell you about it. These 25-year-old twin sisters, who also happen to be Ph.D. students at the University of Utah are taking a stand against body image bashing. The two have come up with a website called Beauty Redefined, and they are spearheading an initiative that will put up twelve billboards throughout Utah promoting healthy messages like, "There is so much more to be than eye candy." Well said!

Reagan Outdoor Advertising is providing the space for the billboards, and a safe haven for girls with self-esteem problems called New Haven is the sponsor. The Kite sisters are focused on making a change in body-messages in the popular media, which their research suggests is a major root of America's body image distortion problems.

They hope these public service announcements add to our beauty revolution and inspire women and girls throughout the state of Utah, and hopefully throughout the country, to see themselves as much more than simply something to look at.

We applaud you, Kites! And we are armed with the tools to help you and women and girls everywhere "take back beauty!"

HOW WILL YOU REDEFINE BEAUTY TODAY?

Moving Along with Changes

"I have an everyday religion that works for me.

Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line."
-Lucille Ball

Moving can be a difficult transition for your self image and how you feel about yourself. Sometimes we place so much of who we are on where we are, our friends there, and the image we have created for ourselves there that moving disrupts the entire thing. Do you cling to what you were in that other place or do you attempt to start anew in this new city?
Growing up I always knew that i would be leaving the town I was born in, and the move to Boston was easier than expected. I already tried the "moving (literally) outside my comfort zone" by studying abroad in Thailand during highschool. But the college transition always seems loaded with extra importance as you are starting your move to "real life." I bought new clothes, I contemplated changing my nickname (didn't end up happening. Although ZsaZsa would have been pretty badass) and worried that I would have no friends and not fit in or find my niche. I worried that i would struggle to swim being one little fish in a gigantic school, in a brand new town, in a whole different coast. My worries were misguided and I found my way just find. I made amazing friends, found my true calling (nutrition, not a research biologist), and had a great deal of fun.
Yet, as I move in Houston today, I find myself facing these same fears. While I do feel a bit older and wiser than I was in my previous moves, I also feel the same state of unpreparedness. My entire life is about to be unpacked from my compact car, and I haven't stocked up on an entire new wardrobe. I am in a place I have never visited, or really thought much about before this April. I am leaving huge parts of my heart, with the people and places I love in Boston and Wyoming. I have centered a lot of who I am by where I have been living, and wonder what this new Texas image will look like. I have new people to meet and new topics to study and adapt to.

So I'm holding Lucille's words close to my heart. And carrying the religion of self-respect into this new life. As I venture into the great unknown in this Lone Star state

-Elizabeth
How do you deal with geographic moves, be they near or far? How has your self-image changed as you have moved?

A Guiltless Birthday

My how time flies. 1 year ago this week Steph and Elizabeth were talking about body image, and decided to stop just talking amongst themselves and start spreading some body love! Change is coming, Elizabeth's moving to Texas, and Stephanie's starting a full-time nutrition communication job, but you can believe we'll be sticking to our 3x a week schedule and sending some guiltless messages out into the universe!
And you can bet on our birthday we'll have our cake and eat it too!

Have you felt yourself grow more comfortable with your body since this time last year? What does the future hold for you! What would you like to see more of from us?

A Guiltless Birthday!

My how time flies. 1 year ago this week Steph and Elizabeth were talking about body image, and decided to stop just talking amongst themselves and start spreading some body love! Change is coming, Elizabeth's moving to Texas, and Stephanie's starting a full-time nutrition communication job, but you can believe we'll be sticking to our 3x a week schedule and sending some guiltless messages out into the universe! And you can bet on our birthday we'll have our cake and eat it too!

Have you felt yourself grow more comfortable with your body since this time last year? What does the future hold for you! What would you like to see more of from us?

Dish up a healthy body image!

My favorite childhood memories are my family dinners. I loved hearing about everyone's days, learning my family members as they spoke (especially being the youngest of three children), and sneaking little bites of food to the pups under the table. But I also remember that family dinners were a rule. If you were not home for dinner, it was an issue. As I grew into adolescence, I craved independence and wanted to eat dinner on my own time. This was not allowed. And while back then I may have had a slight attitude about it, today, I feel very fortunate that this was the case.

A recently released study showed that teens who eat at least five meals a week with their families are 35 percent less likely to engage in disordered eating than teens who don't. It's amazing what one small tradition can do for a person's well-being and happiness! As if that wasn't enough, here are a few more reasons (supported by good research) why dishing up a healthy meal for the whole family is a good idea:

1. Inspire kids to eat healthier food
2. You maintain the portion control
3. Family dinners mean better grades in school
4. Teens who eat family dinners are less likely to feel depressed
5. I said it once, but it's worth saying again: Family dinners help prevent eating disorders

And just because you live with a roommate and not your family doesn't mean you can't have family dinners! The simple act of cooking, eating, and cleaning together brings joy and stress relief to all.

What's your take on family dinner?

P.S. Laughing is good for the soul. So while we're on the subject of family, please check this out:
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

What 6 year olds talk about: Weight, and Fat.

In case you haven't seen it yet, this panel of 5-8 year girls discussing weight is very depressing



At an age when kids should be playing, learning, and growing into their bodies, healthy kids shouldn't be worrying about being fat at age 6.

A recently released study confirmed common sense-disordered eating practices in adolescence continues into adulthood. Those little girls are going to continue to be fat-phobic, thin-obsessed teens, and young adults.

The things we say about ourselves and those around us in the presence of little ones is reflected directly to them. We need to stop disowning and hating our bodies around children, not just for our health and happiness, but for theirs and their futures.

Maybe it's starting off small-thinking a couple less negative thoughts about our bodies a day. (The average woman thinks at least 13 a day!) Maybe it's celebrating our strengths, both inside and outside, more often.

Something needs to change.

how did this video make you feel? what can we do??

Tips to Stay Guiltless This Summer...

Hi friends! Hope you all had a lovely Independence Day weekend and that you're slowly getting back into the swing of things. Summer is often a time of stress for those who struggle with body image woes. With all the swimsuit action and body-baring outfits, it's all too common to think bad thoughts about our bodies. Let's change that this summer and live guiltlessly through these warm, sunny months! Here are a few tips on how to stay Guiltless this summer:

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1. Just say NO to fat talk!
Instead of asking yourself, "do I look fat in this?" tell yourself, "I look fabulous in this!" If you feel it, you'll be it.
2. Wear that swimsuit confidently!
Don't let that swimsuit fear get to you! Join Curvy Girl and Land's End in National Swimsuit Confidence. Bring it, Bikini!
3. Sweat once a day.
Exercise keeps us healthy and happy. Get some of those good endorphins going with your favorite activity! Or take advantage of the warm weather and try something new! Kayaking? Tennis, perhaps? The sky is the limit!
4. Color your plate.
One of the best things about summer is the fresh produce available. Go to your local farmer's market and pick up a colorful array of your favorite fruits and veggies!
5. Take a break.
Leisure time is SO important. When you're feeling tired or run down from the hectic schedule that is your life, take a break! Lay in the sun by the water, or bring a picnic to your favorite shady spot. Whatever you do, don't get down on yourself for taking some "me" time.
6. Read a book.
It's always nice to get lost in a good book. When you're involved with the characters and the story, everything else tends to melt away. Up next on my list: A debut fiction novel called Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry. Anyone read it yet?
7. Have fun!
Summer time is fun time. Kick back with your friends, have a fruity cocktail, and soak in the slow days of summer.

Be well, and enjoy the day!

Independence Day

This Fourth of July, Celebrate Independence from guilt and self hate

Rejoice for the strength of your body & Enjoy the Day

In all cheesy honesty............

I love my lips

I love my lips _Dave