Do body image and self-esteem get better with age?

When did you first realize you had a body? 

Even more so, when do you first remember your body needed to look a certain way to be acceptable?

 

Whether it's your weight, the shape of your body, the color of your skin, or the clothes you wear, from a very early age you absorbed cultural messages that told you what an acceptable or desirable body is - especially as a woman. 

 

If you're like most of the women I work with and myself, those messages became loud and clear about the time we entered puberty - around 9-13 years old.

 

Fast forward through 3 decades of beauty, health, and wellness messaging, and now you're over 40.

 

You're still concerned about body image but not it's not about trying to look like the cover models in Women's Health or Prevention Magazines. 

 

After 40 it's about the healthiness the models promote. The healthy skin, toned legs, arms, butt, and abs even after birthing X-number of kids. How centered and confident the women seem no matter what hardship they've overcome. This is body image after 40. 

 

My guest is Sabrina Magnan a Holistic Health Coach who helps chronic dieters heal their relationship with food and overcome binge and emotional eating so they can enjoy food without guilt or shame. 

 

Sabria shares her personal story about body dysmorphia, toxic body positivity, and her flawed beliefs about bodies as a young competitive synchronized swimmer. 

 

We talk about set point theory and how chronic dieting and hormonal shifts affect your genetically designed set point range for weight. 

 

Sabrina explains how stress and burnout related to the pursuit of body and health perfection can backfire when it comes to your wellness goals after 40.

 

We wrap up with a closer look at body image and self-esteem and how the two dramatically influence each other - especially during body changes and hormonal shifts in perimenopause. 

 

Learn more about Sabrina's work on her website: www.sabrinamagnan.com

Get show notes and resources at www.alpinenutrition.org/blog

Watch the video on the Savor Food and Body YouTube Channel

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Get additional blog posts and resources for intuitive eating during menopause on my website www.alpinenutrition.org

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