Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women
**The Go-to Podcast for Christian women who want to improve their body image and stop comparing themselves to others!** Are you a Christian woman who is tired of the same old answers to your body image and comparison struggles? Have you "tried everything," yet still feel like your body isn't enough or should be better? Do you know that "God looks at the heart" or "You're fearfully and wonderfully made" yet STILL feel like maybe God should have made your body better? Bonus: Have you ever prayed for God to zap you skinny? ;) (Your secret is safe here.) If you ans...
Fri, April 25, 2025
The Mirror Fast: Biblical Strategy to Improve Your Body Image Before Summer
Today Heather announces a brand new Bible reading plan and 15-Day downloadable devotional called, "The Mirror Fast." The concept behind the mirror fast is to take a break from looking in the mirror and to re-orient your gaze off of your body and on to Jesus. You can follow the Mirror Fast on YouVersion , the Bible app or you can download a printable copy on the website here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/mirror-fast-christian-women You'll love the reality that this is a biblical strategy to improve your body image before summer! One of the coolest topics in this Bible study comes from Exodus 38:8, where the Israelite women melt down their bronze mirrors for them to be used to make a brass basin to go outside the tabernacle. They literally melt down their attachment and access to their image in the service of the Lord. You'll enjoy reading about this and other hot topics related to mirror fasting such as: Why do our mirrors hold such power over us? Did I mess up my God made "good" body? Why does my image bother me? Will I be okay without looking in the mirror for 40 days? And, more... Resources mentioned in today's podcast include: Our website: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Comparison-Free Life book: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian The 40 Day Journey (starts week of June 16): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, April 23, 2025
BONUS: Helping Aging Parents: How do I know if it's time to move my parents?
In today's BONUS episode, Heather continues her chat with Wendy Jones of Next Steps 4 Seniors. Wendy is a podcast host and business management professional who helps seniors get ready for their "next steps" as they age. Heather and Wendy chat about the unique challenges of knowing when it's time to move your parents. Wendy offers helpful suggestions on how to help your parents stay active, social, and what to look for if it's time to bring in help or move them to a place where they'll be more supported. Learn more about Wendy Jones here. Listen to the Next Steps 4 Seniors Podcast here. Learn more about Compared to Who here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Check out Heather's 30-Day devotional on aging called, "Aging Gratefully" here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 22, 2025
Helping Aging Parents: Encouragement for Women in the Sandwich Generation
Are you facing tough decisions about caring for aging parents or loved ones? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of recognizing when it’s time to step in, the emotional rollercoaster of moving someone to assisted living, and the power of socialization to revitalize cognitive health. Our guest, Wendy Jones of Next Steps 4 Seniors, shares practical tips for navigating guilt, downsizing, and embracing healthy aging as a family. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about next steps, this conversation is packed with encouragement, resources, and real stories to help you stop comparing and start living with confidence. Heather and Wendy chat about the unique challenges of being in the "Sandwich Generation" where you have children still at home and aging parents to take care of. Learn more about Wendy Jones here. Listen to the Next Steps 4 Seniors Podcast here. Learn more about Compared to Who here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Check out Heather's 30-Day devotional on aging called, "Aging Gratefully" here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 18, 2025
Hormones and Body Image Issues in Perimenopause and Beyond
Dr. Mikala Albertson joins Heather again today to continue an interesting discussion of how hormones play with our minds and can affect how we feel about our bodies. Today the conversation extends to perimenopause and beyond. Heather and Mikala talk about the pressure from social media influencers to do the "right things" to avoid symptoms of perimenopause and how some of these suggestions could lead us to really harmful places. They talk about supplements, feeling pressure during this season of life to "do something to fix it" and how there is hope that someday all these hormones will settle down. They also talk about Hormone Replacement Therapy or Menopause Replacement Therapy as Dr. Albertson prefers to call it and the benefits and cautions around it. They also talk about the great hope there is as we age to finally get past our body image concerns and focus on what's really important. If you are a woman entering her 40s or beyond who has struggled with body image issues, this episode is full of helpful information to encourage you as you age. Listen to part one of this interview here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/how-hormones-affect-your-body-image-all-through-life Learn more about Mikala Albertson's book on midlife here: Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife Listen to Heather's interview with Dr. Albertson about health and weight loss here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/doctor-says-weight-loss-may-not-be-your-best-new-y Learn more about Compared to Who? and how you can get started on a body image freedom or healing journey: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 15, 2025
How Hormones Affect Your Body Image All Through Life
Is your body image really about how your body looks or are your hormones playing tricks on you? Today, Heather interviews Dr. Mikala Albertson about how our hormones affect the ways we feel and think about our bodies. In this first of this two part interview, Heather and Mikala talk about hormonal changes at puberty and then until midlife. How what we think and how we feel about our bodies can fluctuate depending on the week of our cycle, why being aware of our cycle can help us, and what we can do to relax the pressure we feel from culture to "fix ourselves." Learn more about Dr. Mikala Albertson and her book here: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com Listen to Heather's other interview with Dr. Albertson here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/doctor-says-weight-loss-may-not-be-your-best-new-y Learn more about Compared to Who? and how you can connect with Heather and the team to start your journey to body image freedom here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 11, 2025
So Worth Loving: Eryn Eddy Adkins on Perfectionism, Aging, and Redemption
In this episode of the "Compared to Who?" podcast, Eryn Eddy Adkins, an entrepreneur and co-host of the "God Hears Her" podcast, joins the show to discuss aging, self-worth, and the challenges of understanding God's will for one's life. Eryn and Heather discuss the pressures women face in their thirties, both in terms of their appearance and societal expectations and the significance of finding contentment in one's identity and purpose. Eryn highlights the importance of honesty with God and oneself, as well as the value of being transparent about struggles with envy and comparison in friendships. She also delves into her role as a stepmother and how embracing God's unpredictability has shaped her experiences. Together, Eryn and Heather emphasize that understanding one's worth through God's love rather than social validation is essential for personal peace and fulfillment. Learn more about the God Hears Her Podcast: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/ Listen to Heather on God Hears Her: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/aging-gratefully/ Connect with Eryn: https://www.instagram.com/eryneddy/ Connec with Compared to Who?: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 08, 2025
What's it Really Like to Be 50 Years Old? Midlife Mastermind Group Chat
Today Heather chats with two of her 50 (or near 50) year old friends about what it's really like to experience aging at midlife. They talk about perimenopause, menopause, symptoms of both, the impacts of aging on our brains, bodies, and emotional lives. They also talk about what they've found helpful as they age, the parts of aging they enjoy, and the parts of aging they can do without. You'll enjoy this fantastic group chat with three fifty-year-olds about what it's really like to be fifty years old and be a woman facing midlife. Listen to other episodes with Rosie Makinney: His Lust Problem is Not About You: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/his-lust-problem-is-not-about-you-or-your-body Help My Husband Looks at Porn How Do I Heal: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/comfort-after-deep-hurt-his-lust-problem-is-not-ab What to Do if Husband Looks at Porn: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-to-do-when-your-husband-is-looking-at-porn Listen to other episodes featuring Stephanie Rouselle: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/make-bible-reading-more-interesting-and-spicy Connect with Stephanie: https://www.gospelspice.com Connect with Rosie: https://www.fightforloveministries.org Connect with Compared to Who?: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 04, 2025
Do You Feel Overlooked? Encouragement from the Most Overlooked Women of the Bible
Heather is joined by Mary DeMuth, speaker, podcast host, and author of more than thirty books including her latest, "The Most Overlooked Women of the Bible." (Amazon affiliate link.) Heather and Mary talk about how feeling overlooked can connect to aging and why and how we may feel we're losing our "shine" as we get older. Mary offers encouragement around being honest about the grief and loss of aging and discusses the helpful tool of lament. Mary also shares stories of some of her favorite overlooked women from the Bible and what we can learn from them. Listen to other conversations with Mary DeMuth here: Leah and Misunderstood Women of the Bible: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/leah-and-other-misunderstood-women-of-bible-feat-m Body Image and Sexual Abuse: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/body-image-sexual-abuse-hope-healing-resources-for Connect with Compared to Who? and get our Aging April resource plus other freebies - like the new Mirror Fast Bible Study, here: https://wwwimprovebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 01, 2025
4 Ways for Women to Age Well
What does it take to age well? According to Instagram, it seems aging is all about what you eat and how you exercise. But, what if there's more to aging well than that? Today, author and Christian body image coach, Heather Creekmore, will encourage you with 4 strategies to age well that have a much greater impact on your health and on the way you feel about aging than any kale salad or cycling class. She'll look at how the science shows that gratitude can extend your life and improve your health. Similarly, she'll look at how finding community and activities you have fun doing can do the same. Heather talks about why it's not helpful to follow a restrictive diet and be rigid with exercise if you want to age well, because there's more to aging than just the way we eat and move. This is Aging April! Visit our website for more great resources on each month's topic. Monthly resource kits can be accessed the 10th of each month here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/body-image-resources-for-christian-women-monthly-resource-kits Are we email friends yet? Get the free 15-Day Mirror Fast Devotional download with regular weekly encouragement here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/mirror-fast-christian-women Check out Heather's 30-Day Devotional on Aging: Aging Gratefully, here. Other episodes on aging: What does the Bible speak to aging and body image issues? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-does-the-bible-speak-to-aging-and-body-image 3 Secrets to Aging Well for Women with Food and Body Issues https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/3-secrets-to-aging-well-for-christians-with-body-i What is a Biblical View of Botox? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-a-biblical-view-of-botox-is-it-okay-to-get Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 28, 2025
How Do I Know if My Child Has Eating Disorder or Body Image Issues?
Host Heather Creekmore sits down with pastor's wife, author, and counselor Kristen Hatton to discuss what to do if your child has (or you suspect they have) an eating disorder or body image issues. Kristen shares the story of her daughter who had a derogatory comment directed at her in 8th grade and then began to restrict food until it became the eating disorder, anorexia. After going through treatment, Kristen's daughter shifted from restriction to a restrict and purge cycle (bulimia) and Kristen, again, had to intervene to help her daughter restore a healthy relationship with food and her body. Heather and Kristen have a bit of friendly debate over whether or not encouraging a child to have healthy habits is effective for those with brains that are geared towards restriction or perfection. They also talk about how important it is to help our children be healthy in every area--not just physically, but spiritually and mentally too. Kristen shares what she learned, in hindsight, to look for if your child may be exhibiting signs of an eating disorder or body image issues. She also talks about how to know when you may need to bring in outside help. Learn more about Kristen Hatton and her books here: https://www.kristenhatton.com Learn more about Compared to Who? and how to start healing your body image and food issues: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Check out the Compared to Who? Etsy shop -with hats, tanks, and tees to remind you to stop comparing and start living. Check it out here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 25, 2025
Do Body Image Issues Affect Our Parenting?
Heather chats with licensed counselor, pastor's wife, and author Kristen Hatton about the ways that our body image issues can affect how we parent our children. From passing on perfectionism, to trying to control, to expecting our children to look or act a certain way because we're still trying to keep up an image, body image issues certainly play a role in how we parent. Kristen and Heather discuss the ways our body image issues impact our parenting decisions, recognizing that, for most of us, it's so subtle that we can't even see we are doing it. They also spend time offering hope and encouragement to moms whose children have left home already. It's never too late to redeem a relationship, to apologize, or even to acknowledge how these issues affected the way your child was raised and restore a healthier relationship with your adult children. Learn more about Kristen Hatton and her books here: https://www.kristenhatton.com Learn more about Compared to Who?, the 40 Day Journey, and how you can start healing your body image here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 21, 2025
What's Your Mom Story: Naming to Tame the Way Mom Impacted Body Image Issues
Heather welcomes back Emily and Ryan Baker from Story Matters Initiative to finish their discussion of the Mother Wound and the ways that our moms may have impacted how we feel about ourselves and our bodies. Today the trio talks about the innate need we have for mom to see, know, and approve of us and how that is sensed and felt as a child. They talk about how not sensing that approval triggers a stress response in the brain and how that can impact our ability to learn. They start with a discussion of attachment theory, including the different types of attachment--both secure and insecure-- and how the attachment style can impact us even through adulthood. Through sharing stories from their personal journeys of understanding their mother wounds, Emily, Ryan, and Heather explore what it means to name your issues so that you can tame them (not naming for the purpose of blaming!). They also give you great hope that if you are seeing or understanding your own story with mom differently, there is hope for you to find healing and peace. Learn more about Emily and Ryan Baker here: https://storymatterscoaching.com Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Explore all of Heather's books including the 40-Day Body Image Workbook here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Mentioned in today's episode: What was mom's impact on body image issues? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-was-moms-impact-on-your-body-image-issues Forgiving Mom: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/forgiving-mom-or-others-for-their-roles-in-body-im Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 18, 2025
The Mother Wound: Naming the Ways Mom Played a Role in Body Image Issues
Today Heather welcomes Emily and Ryan Baker from the Story Matters Initiative to discuss the Mother Wound and the ways that our attachment to mom, attunement to mom, and our "mom stories" impact the ways we view ourselves and the world around us. Today, Heather, Emily, and Ryan begin this two-part discussion with a conversation about what story work is, how it is different than traditional talk therapy, and how story work can be the key to unlocking repressed or forgotten memories, which can tell a more accurate story about why we struggle in the ways we do. In today's episode they introduce the concepts of story work and what it means to be attuned to someone. They also talk about what happens when our moms never had the opportunity to work on their own stories and traumas and how this can leave them with chains to their own pasts that made it difficult for them to be in an emotionally healthy relationship with their children. Learn more about Emily and Ryan Baker here: https://storymatterscoaching.com Learn more about the work of Compared to Who? and the 40-Day Journey to improve your body image here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Mentioned in this episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-was-moms-impact-on-your-body-image-issues Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 14, 2025
How Do I Surrender Control and Be a Good Steward: Lessons from Erin's Pregnancy Journey
Host Heather Creekmore is joined by Erin Todd from Intuitive Eating for Christian Women and Ashley Smith from the HA Society to explore the nuance between surrendering control and exercising stewardship. The discussion kicks off with Erin sharing her journey of conception at age 41, emphasizing the importance of faith and timing. Despite being told by doctors that she had a one percent chance of conceiving, Erin's story highlights the power of trusting in God's plan and timing, while she worked with Ashley to help support her body with what it needed to get pregnant. Ashley delves into the nuances of AMH levels (Anti-Mullerian Hormone--the measure of the number of a woman's eggs that remain) and fertility, explaining the complexities and variances that are often overlooked in conventional fertility treatments like IVF. She underscores the significance of understanding one's body and situation, instead of making quick assumptions based on initial evaluations from fertility doctors. But this conversation isn't just for women who are looking to get pregnant. The conversation goes deeper and shifts to the distinction between control and stewardship. Ashley explains that true stewardship involves asking God for guidance rather than bowing to fear or societal pressures. This notion is reflected in Erin's personal challenges, including a series of stressful events that led her to a place of surrender and faith in God's timeline for her family. The trio discusses relinquishing control in various aspects of life, whether it be our bodies, children, or life's unexpected events, encouraging listeners to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. Both Erin and Ashley provide insight into the delicate balancing act of living in faith without attaching oneself to specific outcomes, whether that's achieving pregnancy or any other life goal. Overall, the episode offers hope and encouragement for those struggling with the desire for control, particularly in the context of fertility and motherhood, and invites listeners to lean on their faith and the concept of stewardship. Listen to other interviews with Erin Todd here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/real-women-real-hope-erin-todd-on-freedom-from-unh https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/all-roads-lead-to-intuitive-eating-what-we-learned Listen to other interviews with Ashley Smith here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/hormones-ha-infertility-early-menopause-and-body-i and <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compare
Tue, March 11, 2025
How Erin Got Pregnant at 40 after Eating Disorder and Food Issues
Today, Heather chats with Erin Todd from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast and Ashley Smith of the HA Society about how Ashley helped Erin get pregnant after 40. Even if you aren't looking to get pregnant, the trio talks about the beauty of how our bodies were made to signal and heal. They talk about perimenopause and the phenomenon of women getting diagnosed with early perimenopause. They discuss period loss, infertility, and Erin's personal story of working with Ashley to change the way she supported her body nutritionally in order to conceive. Here's what you can expect in today's show: Helpful information if you've lost your period or had menstrual irregularity. How Erin recognized that her intuitive eating had become based in habit and comfort. What to do if your doctor's told you you are in early menopause or peri-menopause. Erin's amazing story of working with Ashley, paying attention to nutrients, and getting pregnant. How scary it was for Erin to have to pay attention to food again and log food, and how that can be a trigger. Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Learn more about Ashley Smith and the HA Society here: https://www.thehasociety.com/ Join the 40-Day 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 .
Fri, March 07, 2025
Body Image Issues During and After Pregnancy: Group Chat Part 2
Today Heather and her team continue their group chat discussion about all things pregnancy and body image. They share how they handled weight changes during pregnancy, the pressure they felt to "bounce back," and how they handled frustrations around things not going as planned with the birth, breastfeeding, or even the health of the baby. From gestational diabetes to post-partum depression to trying to "win" at being the "hot mom" - the team covers it all in today's fun and informative second half of the group chat. If you've felt pressure to bounce back (even a decade after the baby was born), or if you've struggled with how you felt during or after pregnancy, this episode will encourage your heart. Ready to heal your body image issues? Pregnant and new moms are welcomed to join the 40-Day Journey! Come as you are, join us on zoom, with spit up in your hair and baby on your lap. All are welcomed. Learn more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com just check the 40-Day Journey tab. It will encourage you! (P.S. Replays are always available if you miss a week because baby just wouldn't nap!) Sessions run each quarter. Next session begins March 10. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 04, 2025
Weight Gain and Pregnancy Body Image Frustrations: Group Chat Part 1
How was your body image when you were pregnant? For some, it's freedom. For others, it's terrifying. Today, the Compared to Who? team: Heather, Tara, Presli, Jackie, and Rachel have a group chat about how they felt during pregnancy. They talk about their approaches to gaining weight, trying to do everything "right" by the doctors, the pressures they felt around how much weight to gain (or not gain), and everything in between. This conversation is real talk around the struggles, trials, and frustrations of being pregnant when you have body image issues or when you struggle with food, disordered eating, or have an eating disorder. For some women, body image issues start at pregnancy. No matter where you're at on your journey to heal your body image (how you feel and think about your body), this episode will encourage you. Both Heather and Tara share how their both more than a decade post-partum, but how healing it felt just to go back and think about these issues and what they walked through. Learn more about Compared to Who? or join the 40-Day Journey by visiting: www.improvebodyimage.com Other episodes mentioned today: What is Health (discussion of BMI chart origins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReC4AtVQu2s Pregnancy and Body Image: https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-and-pregnancy/ Blog post on the topic: https://comparedtowho.me/coveting-my-neighbors-belly-pregnancy-and-body-image-series/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 28, 2025
Finding Delight, Honor, and Growth in Marriage Featuring Dr. Dan Allender
In part 2 of this interview with Dr. Dan Allender, Heather and Dan delve into what it truly means to experience a deeper, more fulfilling marriage. Dr. Allender shared profound insights into how our past plays a crucial role in shaping our present and how this understanding can guide us toward redemption and healing in our relationships. Here are themes for our conversation today: Growth in Marriage : True growth in marriage is not just about comfort and convenience. It involves addressing past traumas and engaging with each other's differences to heal and understand the work of the spirit in our lives. The Role of Desire : Desire in a marriage is never equal, and understanding this difference can lead to greater curiosity and compassion rather than conflict. It's about exploring each other's hearts and seeking out redemption together. The Intersection of Shame and Delight : Our deepest areas of shame are often where we can find the most profound delight, especially in the context of marriage. Dr. Allender emphasized the importance of inviting kindness into our hearts to truly reflect this delight onto our spouses. Stay til the very end when Dr. Allender explains why shame and food are as interconnected as shame and sex! Learn more about Dr. Dan Allender and his new book: Deep-Rooted Marriage . (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about Compared to Who? or join the next 40-Day Journey to Body Image Freedom here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 25, 2025
What Parts of Your Past Affect Your Marriage? Featuring Dr. Dan Allender
Today Heather Creekmore interviews an author, therapist, and pioneer in the trauma and abuse world, Dr. Dan Allender. As we wrap up our month-long series on marriage, today Heather and Dr. Allender explore how our past traumas impact our marriage, how our hurts from our family of origin may have actually impacted who we chose to marry, and how we can help our spouses heal and name their own woundings so that together we can have more than just a "good marriage," we instead can grow together as a couple who is able to honor and delight in each other. 🔹 Understanding Trauma in Marriage Relationships : Dr. Allender talks about how both capital T and small t traumas can shape our behaviors and even our choice of a marriage partner. Many of us aren't aware of these subtle influences rooted deep in past experiences. 🔹 Transformational Stories : A personal story shared by Dr. Allender highlights how pivotal moments in marriage, filled with exposure and invitation, can lead to profound transformation and healing. 🔹 The Promise of Deep Connection : Through challenges and growth, marriage offers an opportunity for unparalleled joy and awe, as Dr. Allender describes his journey of delight and honor in his relationship with his wife. Come back for part 2 of this interview on Friday. Learn more about Dr. Dan Allender and his new book: Deep-Rooted Marriage here. (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about Compared to Who? or join the next 40-Day Journey to Body Image Freedom here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 21, 2025
My Christian Husband Looks at Porn: How Do We Heal?
Today Heather continues her conversation with Rosie Makinney from Fight for Love Ministries ( https://www.fightforloveministries.org ) about lust and pornography issues and how they affect marriages and a woman's body image issues. In today's episode, Heather and Rosie talk about control issues, the idol of sex, and what to do if you're dating someone who has confessed to a problem with pornography. They also talk about what to do if you're in that shattered place of just finding out (or re-finding out) that your man is looking at pornography of any kind. There is great hope and help for your marriage and your body image, even if a porn issue is part of your story. Visit Fight For Love if you need more help or support in navigating this difficult issues. Listen to Heather's first interview with Rosie where she shares her story here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-to-do-when-your-husband-is-looking-at-porn Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 18, 2025
Help! Why Does My Christian Husband Look at Porn?
Rosie Makinney of Fight For Love Ministries joins Heather today for a candid conversation about lust and pornography issues and how they affect marriages and a woman's body image issues. If you've ever believed that your husband would stop looking (or would have never looked) at porn if only you looked better, today you'll hear this lie dispelled with science and biblical truth. Rosie has helped thousands of women come to a better understanding of their man's lust problems, and she'll encourage you if you've ever felt gaslighted or blamed for his struggles. This is part one of a two part conversation. Listen to Heather's first interview with Rosie where she shares her story here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-to-do-when-your-husband-is-looking-at-porn Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 14, 2025
What to Do When You're Struggling to Feel Loved
Have you ever struggled to feel like you're truly loved? Maybe you have a head knowledge that God or your husband or parents love you, but somehow you still feel lonely or unseen? If that's you, then today's episode will encourage your heart as you hear Heather talk about some strategies to help you feel loved. Especially at Valentine's Day, it can be hard to feel like someone loves us enough unless they are doing all the things that culture says they should be doing to show their love. But is that what love is really about? Or, does feeling love have little to do with flowers and reservations and more to do with what we believe about God and our own value? Listen and tell a friend about it! Learn more about Compared to Who? at: Https://www.improvebodyimage.com Ready to start your journey to body image freedom? Go to: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 11, 2025
One Way to Get Your Husband's Attention, No Body Improvement Required
Have you believed the lie that if you looked better, your marriage would be better? Have you fallen prey to the marketers who tell you that you'll capture your husband's attention if you just lose some weight or get some surgery? Author and Christian body image coach Heather Creekmore discusses what to do if you really want to get a man's attention in a relationship or marriage. The good news is that her suggestions have nothing to do with changing one's physical appearance. Instead, we have to look at root issues like control and pride and the subtle, insidious ways they hide in the ways we treat our husbands. Even if you don't think you're controlling and have never wrestled pride, you may find Heather's examples helpful. If you feel stuck in your marriage and are wondering how you can change things, Heather's practical suggestions at the end of the episode may help you get your man's attention and get on the path to a healthier marriage. **If you feel afraid in your marriage or are suffering from abuse of any kind, please seek help from a Christian counselor, pastor, or someone who can support and advise you in real life. Looking for more help and support for your body image and marriage issues? Visit: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Our next 40 Day Journey starts soon! Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Not sure how to feel God's love? If this is a challenge for you, listen to Heather share more about her struggle here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/how-to-feel-loved-for-anyone-who-struggles-to-feel Listen to Heather's interview with Shannon Popkin mentioned in today's episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/how-to-stop-being-a-controlling-woman Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 07, 2025
Body Image, Sex, and Your Marriage: Answering Your Toughest Questions
Does your body image affect your marriage and relationships? Yes. A lot. Today, Heather revisits an interview with Dr. Juli Slattery--clinical psychologist, author, podcast host, and all-around expert on this topic. Heather explores the most common questions on the topic and gives you Dr. Slattery's brilliant, rooted-in-Bible truth answers. If you've ever wondered: How do I compete with all these beautiful women around me and keep my husband? What do I do if he doesn't initiate sex? Wouldn't our sex lives be better if I just got some surgical improvements? What do I do if my husband doesn't appreciate my body, or worse, says negative things about it? This episode is for you. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 04, 2025
Helping Your Husband Understand Your Body Image Issues
If you're married or in a relationship, this episode is going to be key to helping your husband understand why you feel insecure, have body image issues, or don't see your body the way he does. Christian body image coach, Heather Creekmore offers 6 tips for you to share with your husband (or listen to, together) talking about what's behind body image issues and why helping your wife "eat better," or telling her she's beautiful just as she is, doesn't work. Heather breaks down why we have such a difficult time understanding each other around these issues and Heather helps husbands, specifically, see why their wives are struggling and what they can do to help her get free and find the confidence, peace, and freedom, they'd like for her to have too. Learn more about the work of Compared to Who? at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Need coaching? Heather's here for Christian body image coaching for women of all ages. Learn more by dropping an email to: heather@comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 31, 2025
Jesus Didn't Look Like an Influencer: Dying to Live with Margaret Jen Burke
Consider today's episode a heart check-up for your spiritual health. Today Heather chats with author Margaret Jen Burke about her book titled, "Dying to Live: Letting Go of Earthly Treasures to Find Eternal Joy." In the book, Margaret Jen challenges American Christian women to consider the ways they are killing themselves (literally and spiritually) to strive for the American dream or the promised comforts of this life, while missing out on the supreme joy, comfort, and contentment found in Christ alone. Margaret Jen talks about how our quest for satisfaction will never be quenched at TJ Maxx...but how the greatest satisfaction we can discover is connected to our journey of sanctification in Christ. Is the American dream what's killing our contentment? Why do we follow and try to be like so many influencers when, the truth is, Jesus didn't look like an influencer? This episode will challenge you to think about your spiritual health in a new way. Learn more about Margaret Jen Burke here: https://www.instagram.com/margaretjenburke/ Read or order her book, "Dying to Live" here: https://amzn.to/42eX4GE (Amazon affiliate link) Here's the "Do You Long to Be Hot or Holy" episode mentioned in today's show: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/blog/hot-or-holy Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about Heather's 40-Day body image workbook here: https://amzn.to/4jkkpfW Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 28, 2025
If I Could Just Get Back to The Body I Used to Have: When You Long for Your Pre-Baby, Pre-Menopause, Younger, Smaller Body
Have you ever said, "If only I could just be the size I used to be... then I'd be happy." Or, maybe you've thought, "If I could just weigh what I did before the baby, or menopause, or when I had the eating disorder...then I wouldn't have body image issues." Oh, friend. In today's episode, Heather Creekmore, Christian body image coach and best-selling author, dispels these myths and gives you the practical truth and a "BS test" ("baloney sandwich") to see if you believe lies that will keep you stuck in body image issues and frustration. If you've ever longed for the smaller, younger, sleeker, different body that you "used to have"... this episode will encourage you and give you practical strategies to align your thoughts with the truth of scripture. Learn more about the ministry of Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com Read Heather's 40-Day Body Image Workbook-- starting with a free sample (Day 5 is mentioned in today's show) here: https://amzn.to/4ai0FFS (Amazon affiliate link - small portion of your purchase goes back to this ministry). Learn more about the 40-Day 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 .
Fri, January 24, 2025
Can I Trust God With My Body Size? Featuring Amy Carlson
Author and Christian Body Image Coach, Heather Creekmore continues her conversation with eating disorder expert and dietitian Amy Carlson. Today they get to the spiritual root and false beliefs around what God expects of our bodies and body size. Amy brings encouragement, hope, and truth to this tricky topic for anyone who struggles with believing that God has a certain size in mind for our bodies. Pretending to be Amy's client in a session, Heather asks tough questions like, "What if God wants me to be a bigger size?" and "How do I stop thinking about this food I love, all the time?" You'll be challenged and encouraged by the truth revealed in this episode about body image issues, eating disorders, disordered eating, and trusting God. Here are some other great episodes featuring Amy Carlson: Have we Christianized disordered eating? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/have-we-christianized-disordered-eating-featuring A "With God" approach to food and eating: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/a-with-god-approach-to-food-and-eating-featuring-a Do I need more self-control to stop eating so much? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/do-i-need-more-self-control-to-stop-eating-feat-am Romans 14 and good foods and bad foods: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/romans-14-good-foods-and-bad-foods-part-2 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 .
Tue, January 21, 2025
Why Hasn't God Answered Prayers to Eat Less? Featuring Amy Carlson
You feel like you've invited God into your health goals. You've prayed. You've asked him to help you eat a certain way. You've asked him to give you "self control" around certain foods. Maybe you've even asked him to zap you skinny! But, it feels like he's not answering. It feels like it's hard, you obsess over food, you want to be free, but he seems to be silent. What do you do? Today, Heather Creekmore and Amy Carlson, (MS, RD and eating disorder specialist) talk about the whats and whys of our struggles with food and how to keep our eyes on Jesus (Matt. 6:33). If you've struggled with food, disordered eating, an eating disorder, or food obsession, this episode will encourage you. This is part one of a two part conversation. Here are some other great episodes featuring Amy Carlson: Have we Christianized disordered eating? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/have-we-christianized-disordered-eating-featuring A "With God" approach to food and eating: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/a-with-god-approach-to-food-and-eating-featuring-a Do I need more self-control to stop eating so much? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/do-i-need-more-self-control-to-stop-eating-feat-am Romans 14 and good foods and bad foods: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/romans-14-good-foods-and-bad-foods-part-2 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 .
Fri, January 17, 2025
4 Ways to Break Free from Emotional Attachment to the Scale
Does the scale determine whether or not you have a good day or a bad day? Does the scale's readout have a weird, mysterious power over you? Today, Christian body image coach and author, Heather Creekmore talks about why the scale holds such power over us, what that number means to us, and gives four strategies for doing the work required to break up with the emotional roller coaster that the scale puts us on. If you're tired of letting the number readout spoil your day, then these strategies will help you get on a path to body image freedom and help de-mistify why you just can't stop going to the scale, even though you know the readout may upset you. If you know that your value is more than your gravitational pull on the earth and yet you still feel like weighing yourself is a compulsion or affecting your mental health, but you just can't stop, this episode is for you. Heather also makes suggestions for when to weigh yourself if you are affected by morning weigh-ins, and what other things you can do in the morning so that you can grow closer to Jesus and embrace who he made you to be so you can learn to be less affected by the number on the scale or your reflection in the mirror. Learn more about the ministry of Compared to Who and sign up for our email list to get a free resource packet every month here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Join us in coaching or on the 40-Day Journey by visiting improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 14, 2025
Why You Need a Healthy Soul in Order to Have a Healthy Body
Pursuing physical health seems to have great benefits. Longer life, more enjoyment of life, compliments from friends who notice . . . But, what if the best way to become more physically healthy is to first become more spiritually, mentally, and emotionally healthy? In fact, what if a lack of spiritual, mental, or emotional health is actually keeping your body stuck in diseases or distress because you've tried to fix the problem from the outside in, instead of from the inside out? On today's podcast episode, Heather Creekmore talks about the importance of caring for our souls: our emotions, our mental health, and our spiritual health. She talks about research that shows how a failure to take care of what's going on inside may keep us fighting our bodies. As Christian women, what should take priority? Heather explores these questions and more in today's new episode. Listen, learn, and be encouraged to get healthy emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically in 2025. Did you get the January resource kit? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? friends list at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com so you get our monthly resource kit with direct links to podcast episodes, YouTube videos, and more that connect directly with this month's new content. Are you ready for the 40-Day Journey? Learn more here. Wnat more information on Christian body image coaching? Learn more here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 10, 2025
Thinking About Your Weight as a Part of Your Overall Health (Part 2) Featuring Dr. Mikala Albertson
Heather continues her conversation with author and board-certified physician, Dr. Mikala Albertson. In part two of this two-part interview, Heather and Mikala discuss why women feel so much shame around weight and BMI and how what's most healthy for some women is going to be to not focus on weight loss, especially if they have a lot of stress, grief, or change they are experiencing. You'll appreciate Dr. Albertson's honesty and genuine encouragement as she talks about the nuance of weight, health, and the pressures Christian women feel in this arena. Ready to join us for the 40-Day Journey? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Learn more about Dr. Mikala Albertson and check out her new book here: https://amzn.to/3W6PqtS Read Dr. Albertson's open letter to anyone who's been body shamed or similarly hurt by the medical community: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com/blog/im-sorry (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase goes to support ministry of Compared to Who?) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 07, 2025
Doctor Says Weight Loss May Not Be Your Best New Years Goal featuring Dr. Mikala Albertson
Today Heather is joined by author and board-certified physician, Dr. Mikala Albertson. In part one of this two part episode, Heather and Mikala discuss why women feel so much pressure to do and be everything and "look good doing it." They talk about control, striving, believing that we can control all of our health outcomes, and the pressure to be thin because of the belief that thin equals healthy. Heather asks Dr. Albertson what to do when your doctor makes you feel like your top focus should be weight loss and why doctors focus so much on weight and body size. Ready to join us for the 40-Day Journey? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Learn more about Dr. Mikala Albertson and check out her new book here: https://amzn.to/3W6PqtS Read Dr. Albertson's open letter to anyone who's been body shamed or similarly hurt by the medical community: https://www.mikalaalbertsonmd.com/blog/im-sorry (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase goes to support ministry of Compared to Who?) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 03, 2025
Five More Tips to Get Healthy in the New Year 2025
Are you looking to improve your health this year? Can you work on health goals without falling into a body image slump? Today, Heather suggests 5 ways you can get physically healthier this year that won't compete with or detract from your goals to improve your body image. In other words -- these are health tips you won't find anywhere else because they aren't all about how to get skinny fast. Instead, these are goals that can help you improve your physical health while keeping your mental, emotional, and spiritual health in tact. Likewise, these are also strategies that will help you grow emotionally as you grow physically healthier. If you want to find ways to be a healthier version of you in 2025, this list of five tips will put you on the right path. This episode is called "Five More Tips" because the first five tips were shared at a live webinar on January 2nd. If you'd like to access those tips, go to https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about Compared to Who?, body image coaching, and the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Grab the 40-Day Body Image Workbook so you're ready for the 40-Day Journey: https://amzn.to/4glqbvS (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase will support this ministry.) Learn more about Heather's latest release, The Comparison-Free Life : 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 .
Fri, December 27, 2024
Five Ways to Pick a Health Coach or New Health Plan
It's that time of year when everyone's looking to do something new to improve their health. Heather's here to help. Here are her five tips for not falling into the trap of another diet culture gimmick or starting a plan in January that you'll have to stop three weeks later. If you truly want to improve your health in 2025, these are some thought-provoking and wise considerations to mull over before signing with a new health coach or singing up for a new health or diet plan. Heather encourages you to not pursue any plan that is going to have to consume your life (Hint: it's not sustainable). She also encourages you to be on the lookout for programs that make promises they can't keep or don't help you develop a healthier relationship with food, your body, or God. You'll want to listen to learn more about why programs that make you eat their food, give you a timeline for weight loss, or use out-of-context Christian scriptures to support your weight loss goals may not be a good fit for your health journey. Learn more about the 40 Day Journey, a six week group program to help you start your body image freedom journey, here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather Creekmore here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about Heather's books and resources 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 .
Fri, December 06, 2024
Do You Feel Afraid to Heal or Overcome Your Body Image Issues?
Do you believe that if you heal your body image issues you'll be "letting yourself go?" Have you been afraid to seek body image freedom because it sounds like you'd be apathetic towards your body or out of control? Today Heather discusses the challenges and fears surrounding the journey to healing from body image issues. Today Heather looks at two main scriptures: John 10:10 and Matthew 6:25-28. Are you living the worry-free, abundant life God intended for you? Or do your body image issues keep you trapped in self-focus, obsession, fear, shame and dread? Today Heather addresses how you can heal and find body image freedom, even if it feels like your body image issues are keeping you safe and protecting you from rejection. She prompts listeners to practice "mindfulness" over worry or apathy and to get on a healing journey so they don't waste any more precious time of the one life we're given. Also, Heather goes through her list of things she wished she had done for all those decades instead of spending time and money worrying about her body image and trying to improve her appearance. Learn more about how you can get started on your body image healing journey by joining the 40-Day Journey. Learn more ahttps://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Compared to Who? has great merch. Plus, Heather's books are a great way to start your journey to a healthier view of you. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, December 03, 2024
How Attachment Impacts Our Body Image Issues: A Deep Dive into Attachment Styles & Body Image
Do you know your attachment style? In this episode, author and body image coach, Heather Creekmore delves into the intricate connections between attachment theory and body image issues. Relationship security, particularly with primary caregivers during the first year of birth influences our levels of anxiety about weight and dysfunctional behaviors such as restrictive eating even as adults. Heather explains how insecure attachment styles—avoidant, anxious, and disorganized—develop from insecure interactions with mom and contribute to body dissatisfaction or a "problematic" view of one's body. Secure attachment, on the other hand, fostering emotional regulation and coping strategies in infants, can lead to a healthier view of one's self and one's body. But, it's important to note that even those raised without secure attachment can find a new secure attachment in God--the perfect parent. If you've ever wondered what your childhood, past, or early years may have to do with your current body image struggles, this episode will enlighten, educate, and surprise you! Here's the podcast Heather references in today's episode: The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast : https://adamyoungcounseling.com/podcast/ Here's the study she references -- the PubMed Study on attachment style and body image issues: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10206641/ Ready to dig into why you're stuck in body image issues? Join us for the 40-Day Journey that begins on January 7th. Sign up or learn more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 29, 2024
Three Tips for Christian Women Who Shop Too Much
Shopping and body image issues have connections on many different levels. On today's Black Friday, holiday flashback, host Heather Creekmore talks through three tips she's found helpful for quenching her shopping addiction. Many women with body image issues tend to have issues around over-buying or over-spending too, especially at the holidays. If you love to shop or have ever bought the same thing twice without knowing it (Heather's guilty!) this episode will encourage you and give you practical strategies for not over-spending this holiday season and all year round. Ready to join the 40-Day Journey and learn more about how your body image issues connect to your shopping habits? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Consider gifting one of Heather's books this holiday season. Check out Heather's devotional on aging (great gift for mom or a friend), or her fresh release The Comparison-Free Life, or even the 40-Day Body Image Workbook. Find a full list of Heather's books here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Check out new podcast merch! Compared to Who? hats and t-shirts make great gifts for the women in your life who tend to spend a lot of time comparing. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop and save 10% this holiday season with the code SAVE10 (valid only through December 20, 2024) Try StitchFix and get a $25 credit: https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/cvnxqt85hk?sod=w&som=c Try Wantable and get a $25 credit: https://www.wantable.com?invite_token=6uBZohI3o9o Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 26, 2024
Holiday Help: Food, Attitude, & Gratitude for Food and Your Body
Today's episode is a holiday episode flashback to help encourage you this Thanksgiving week if you struggle with having an attitude of gratitude around food and your body. Host Heather Creekmore knows what it's like to see food as the enemy, to view food as something to be afraid of instead of grateful for. She's also struggled with being grateful for her body. It's hard to be thankful for something you really don't like. In today's episode, Heather shares from her own experiences with learning to view food the way God intended it and how she's trying to make peace with both food and her body. Listen and be encouraged so that you can enjoy the holiday season without guilt, shame, and regrets. Learn more about Compared to Who?, body image coaching, and the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about Heather's latest release, The Comparison-Free Life , which has a chapter on gratitude here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Get cute podcast merch for Christmas: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 22, 2024
How Did Your Mother Impact Your Body Image? Part 2
Host Heather Creekmore delves deeper into the complex topic of how our relationships with our mothers can impact our body image and behaviors around food. Building on the discussion from part 1, Heather addresses the often-unspoken dynamics that influence our identity, self-confidence, and healing journey. Heather emphasizes that the point of examining mom's role in body image issues is never to blame mom, but rather to help listeners better understand their own stories and why they've believed, thought, or felt the way they did around body issues. Heather also addresses how healing from body image issues might affect your relationship with your mother and the potential grief that comes from such changes because you no longer have your body image issues and food rules in common. Heather also offers practical guidance for dealing with emotional triggers, especially when returning to childhood homes or spending time in family environments that can evoke past patterns. Heather also highlights the importance of recognizing our "little girl brain" – our young, survival-driven responses to familial interactions – and offers ways to stay present with ourselves and handle these emotional cyclones. For further exploration of related topics, check out the episode on grieving the loss of an ideal body Grieving the Ideal Body and listen as Heather prepares to delve into attachment theory in the next episode (coming December 3). This episode challenges listeners not to fear the acknowledgment of their mom's role but to instead lamentat these past struggles and embrace them as paths to healing and transformation. Ready to find body image healing? Join us on the 40 Day Journey that begins January 7, 2025. Learn more or reserve your spot here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Grab Heather's latest book, The Comparison-Free Life learn more here: Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 19, 2024
What Was Mom's Impact on Your Body Image Issues?
Do your body image issues get worse when you're around family? Today, host Heather Creekmore digs into what may be the reason behind why you feel worse about your body at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Heather explores the question: Did your mom have an impact on your body image? While many women know she did, others can't recognize it quite as clearly. But, on today's show, Heather dives deep into the intricate dynamics between mothers and daughters, exploring how maternal influence shapes our body image and how much of this shaping happened well before the teenage years. Today Heather uncovers some of the potential influences and connections between body image issues and the mother-daughter relationship. She also speaks to the reality that many of those who have a disordered relationship with food and body image issues will experience a flare-up of these issues when around mom--especially at the holidays! Heather also addresses the intergenerational nature of body image issues, how they run in families and how your mom could simply be acting out of the way she was taught by her mom. Likewise Heather talks about how a healthy sense of self requires us to have agency over our bodies and our choices around food. And, though it becomes more difficult when we're around family, this "growing up" process is vital for our body image healing journeys. The episode takes inspiration from <a href="In%20this%20enlightening%20episode%20of%20"Compared%20to%20Who?",%20host%20Heather%20Creekmore%20dives%20deep%20into%20the%20intricate%20dynamics%20between%20mothers%20and%20daughters,%20exploring%20how%20maternal%20influence%20shapes%20our%20body%20image%20perceptions.%20As%20the%20holiday%20season%20approaches,%20Heather%20encourages%20us%20all%20to%20be%20mindful%20of%20family%20interactions,%20particularly%20noting%20how%20comments%20on%20body%20image%20can%20impact%20us.%20%20Discover%20practical%20strategies%20such%20as%20utilizing%20spiritual%20practices%20to%20shield%20yourself%20from%20negative%20remarks,%20while%20learning%20how%20to%20effectively%20navigate%20these%20conversations%20with%20grace%20and%20confidence.%20Heather%20emphasizes%20the%20importance%20of%20acknowledging%20emotional%20hurt%20and%20offers%20reflective%20insights%20to%20gain%20independence%20from%20the%20need%20for%20parental%20approval.%20%20Gain%20new%20perspectives%20on%20how%20to%20integrate%20your%20body%20image%20with%20your%20deeper%20sense%20of%20self—mentally,%20emotionally,%20and%20spiritually.%20Heather%20also%20previews%20future%20episodes%20that%20will%20discuss%20attachment%20theory's%20connection%20to%20body%20image%20issues,%20providing%20a%20comprehensive%20understanding%20of%20early%20influences%20on%20our%20self-esteem.%20%20Heather%20shares%20her%20personal%20journey%20of%20establishing%20boundaries%20with%20family%20for%20healthier%20self-identity,%20drawing%20from%20her%20own%20counseling%20experiences%20and%20biblic
Fri, November 15, 2024
Who Are You Imitating? Ephesians 5 and Examining Who Really Influences Us
Ready for a quick, 7 Minutes of Scripture episode? Today, host Heather Creekmore delves into Ephesians 5 She begins by reading Ephesians 5:1-8 from the English Standard Version and focuses on the theme of imitation and influence. Heather emphasizes the idea from scripture that we are called to be imitators of God as beloved children and walking in love, as Christ did. She challenges listeners to reflect on whether they aspire to imitate Jesus or if they're more influenced by cultural figures or influencers, especially in the realm of body image. Heather encourages listeners to walk in love, focusing less on self-love and more on loving God and others, advocating for what Tim Keller calls "the freedom of self forgetfulness." Are you ready to transform your body image? Join the 40-day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Learn more about Heather's latest book release on comparison here: https://amzn.to/3Uucwd4 (Amazon affiliate link) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 12, 2024
The Bible's Solution to Stop Comparing and Start Living
Is comparison dragging you down? Do you feel defeated or deflated because you're always thinking about the "you" that you want to be or how you could "be better if" or "be better when?" If so, comparison is what's really dragging you down. Today, host and author, Heather Creekmore will give you the Bible's best answers around comparison. Scripture actually addresses our battles with comparison at a deeper level than you could ever imagine. These solutions aren't cold and distant like "just stop it," rather they challenge you to think more deeply about these issues, why we compare ourselves to others, and what the truth of the Gospel really has to speak to comparison issues. If you've ever wanted to be free from comparison, this is a great place to start. Check out Heather's latest release, The Comparison-Free Life (formerly titled The Burden of Better ) (Amazon affiliate link, tiny portion of your purchase will go back to this ministry). Learn more about Heather, the ministry of Compared to Who? and resources to help you improve body image and stop comparing: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 08, 2024
Strategies to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People (Group Chat Part 2)
Today Heather Creekmore and her incredible team at Compared to Who? dive deep into the world of comparison, uncovering personal stories, strategies, and biblical insights to illuminate the path to freedom from comparing. Rachel shares her experience as a worship leader facing comparison in front of teenagers, discovering the power of "bless and not impress" with divine assistance. Tara reflects on her journey of overcoming body image dissatisfaction through spiritual growth, and Jackie emphasizes honesty with oneself and loved ones. Presli explores the role of growing her faith in handling her comparison and self-image struggles. The team delves into the heart of their comparison issues, likening it to idolatry and proposing grace as the remedy. Heather emphasizes the importance of shaking off societal pressures and instead aiming for spiritual growth and sanctification. Jackie's approach to curating a healthier social media experience and Rachel's use of the "pause app" are practical tools shared with listeners. Together, they address the tendency to compare with past selves, encouraging a shift from self-centeredness to serving others. Heather introduces listeners to her book, "The Comparison Free Life," as a resource for understanding grace and breaking free from the comparison trap, inviting them to explore it for deeper insight. For more meaningful episodes and resources, visit improvebodyimage.com . Tune in to Part 1 for the beginning of this transformative discussion and stay connected as Heather and her team continue to tackle the nuances of comparison and body image challenges on "Compared to Who?" with love, truth, and authenticity. Be sure to check out Heather's book, "The Comparison Free Life" , to accompany you on this journey towards freedom from comparison. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 05, 2024
How Do You Stop Comparing? Group Chat on Comparison and Christian Women
Today Heather invited her team to a group chat to discuss comparison and how it has affected them. The team gets real, talking about their challenges with comparison, how they compared themselves to others, and what they believed about themselves in the process! We dive into an enlightening discussion about pride, humility, shame, and comparison, exploring comparison's impact on our self-worth and relationships. Heather's team members: Tara, Jackie, Presli, and Rachel share how they've struggled but also how they've learned to conquer comparison. There are so many pressures, demands, expectations, and challenges women, even Christian women, face around comparison and body image. Today's conversation will encourage you that you are not alone if you're battling comparison and there's great hope to be free from the battle. Are you ready to stop comparing and start living? Consider joining the 40-Day Journey which begins in January. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Ready to live comparison-free? Check out Heather's book, The Comparison-Free Life now available here: https://amzn.to/3A7zboT (Amazon affiliate link) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 01, 2024
Understanding Food Fears (Including All That Candy!)
This is the second part of an interview between host Heather Creekmore and guest Amy Carlson, a dietitian and eating disorder expert. Today's conversation centers around fostering a healthy and balanced relationship with food. Amy critiques the current educational approach to nutrition, advocating for an understanding and enjoyment of cooking rather than rigid adherence to nutritional guidelines. Today's conversation continues looking at the topic of agency around food choices and our health. Heather talks about how she and many clients she works with have fear around being free with food and Amy offers some helpful wisdom there. Listen until the end for this expert dietitian's best advice on what you should do with all that candy that seems to arrive around Halloween and keep multiplying through Christmas! Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about Amy's Peace with Food App here: https://www.hellopeacewithfood.com/ Listen to Heather's other interviews with Amy Carlson: Have We Christianized Disordered Eating? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/have-we-christianized-disordered-eating-featuring A With God Approach to Food and Eating: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/a-with-god-approach-to-food-and-eating-featuring-a Do I Need More Self Control Around Food? https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/do-i-need-more-self-control-to-stop-eating-feat-am Letting Go of Good and Bad Food Labels: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/letting-go-of-good-and-bad-food-labels-featuring-a How to Really Feel Better in Your Body: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/how-to-really-feel-better-in-your-body-featuring-a Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 29, 2024
How to Have Agency With Food Choices Featuring Amy Carlson
Host Heather Creekmore interviews dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Amy Carlson, MS, RD, about the complex relationships individuals have with food, their own health, and agency. Heather and Amy delve into the assumptions that connect food, health, and lab results, and Amy stresses that anomalies in lab results can often be influenced by factors beyond one's control, such as family history. Heather shares her personal anxieties about not following a food plan and the fear it instills when approaching medical check-ups. Amy shares insights into diet culture's pressures and the significance of developing self-awareness over outsourcing one's health to external authorities. The episode explores how social media contributes to self-critique and how societal norms can affect personal choices. Heather and Amy also discuss when we first surrendered our agency around food and our health and how, for many of us, we were taught the rules of diet culture from a young age. Amy explores how damaging and inaccurate some of these rules and premises can be, especially when applied to our children. Ready to get on the road to body image and food freedom? Learn more about the 40-Day Journey at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 25, 2024
Can God Heal My Unhealthy Relationship With Food and My Body?
Heather continues her interview with Angie Baughman about body image issues, focusing on community and comparison challenges, particularly for those with eating disorders. They discuss different dopamine responses to food—through restriction or free eating—and critique diet culture's praise of restrictors. Angie emphasizes the necessity of addressing the underlying causes of disordered eating and the importance of forming a healthy relationship with food. Angie shares that she now understands how freedom from these issues is attainable with God's help and how important supportive relationships are in this non-linear journey. The episode delves into the emotional difficulty of confronting deeper issues rather than distracting oneself with calorie counting or excessive exercise. Angie shares personal insights on trusting God fully in life's challenges. They highlight the misconception that achieving a desired body image brings peace, identifying it as a "false salvation" and encourage introspection on hidden body image issues disguised as discipline. Learn more about Angie Baughman here: https://livesteadyon.com/ Listen to Angie's podcast here: https://livesteadyon.com/vodcast/ Learn more about Compared to Who? or join the 40 Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 22, 2024
I Didn't Know I Had Body Image Issues
Angie Baughman, Bible teacher, author, and host of the Steady On podcast shares her personal journey of overcoming body image issues tied to childhood trauma and disordered eating. Together, Heather and Angie explore the detrimental effects of diet culture, highlighting how its pervasive "if-then" mindset impacts our spiritual and personal growth. Angie shares her experiences with disordered eating, calorie counting, and the facade of normal eating, which connected to her emotional control struggles. She also discusses how support from her counselor, nutritionist, and husband proved crucial in navigating her healing process. ✨ Key Highlights: Embrace Your Worth: Discover how Angie found joy and nourishment in food without guilt, transforming her relationship with eating. Diet Culture Critique: Understand how societal standards around thinness and appearances have infiltrated even religious communities, and why it's crucial to shift our focus back to spiritual freedom. Stop Comparing, Start Living: Explore the impact of comparison on our mental health and relationships, and find encouragement to live fully without constraints. Learn more about Angie here: https://livesteadyon.com/ Connect with Compared to Who? or join the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Grab Heather's 40-Day Workbook 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 .
Fri, October 18, 2024
How to Stop People Pleasing, Subjugating, and Saying Yes When You Mean No
In this episode of the "Compared to Who?" podcast, host Heather Creekmore dives into the challenging topic of people pleasing and subjugation with special guest Joyce Campbell. Together, they unpack how incessantly saying "yes" while wanting to say "no" can lead to losing one's identity and sense of self. Joyce shares insights from her book, "Dare to Say No: Stop Saying Yes When You Really Mean No," and offers practical guidance for breaking free from the patterns of subjugation, whether in personal relationships or professional settings. Heather and Joyce discuss personal anecdotes and strategies to help listeners navigate the discomfort of saying no, all from a biblical perspective that emphasizes the importance of aligning with the truth of scripture. If you struggle with being overly compliant, people pleasing, poor boundaries, or feeling subjugated, this episode provides valuable encouragement and tools for stepping into a healthier you! Key Topics: Understanding the root of people pleasing or subjugation The impact of subjugation on mental and emotional health Practical steps to begin saying "no" kindly and respectfully The reactive stage: learning to balance newfound assertiveness Developing a true sense of identity away from compliance How faith can aid in overcoming the fears of saying "no" Resources Mentioned: Joyce Campbell's book: "Dare to Say No: Stop Saying Yes When You Really Mean No" Get the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZUldRt (Amazon affiliate link) Joyce Campbell's website: joycelcampbell.com Connect with Us: improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 15, 2024
What's the Root of People Pleasing? Why Do I Say Yes When I Mean No?
Why do we find ourselves saying "yes" when we mean "no"? Is our people-pleasing tendency just a mild habit, or is it something more serious? In this eye-opening episode of Compared to Who? host Heather Creekmore dives deep into what Joyce Campbell--a licensed counselor and therapist--terms subjugation. Subjugation is a clinical condition where people inadvertently damage their lives by consistently putting others' wishes before their own. Join Heather and Joyce as they navigate the complexities of subjugation, unearthing how deeply embedded negative thought patterns can start in childhood and carry into adulthood, affecting every aspect of our lives—including our mental and physical health. Do you struggle with being the "good girl," living under the pressure to be perfect, or maintaining a facade to gain approval? This episode unpacks the layers of this condition, taking a look at how anger, resentment, and unmet expectations can wreak havoc on your spiritual, emotional, and even physical well-being. Heather also prompts listeners to consider how self-denial—a biblically endorsed concept—differs from harmful subjugation and how to discern God's will for our lives in giving balanced responses to life’s demands. Make sure to tune in and discover how transforming the pathways in our minds can lead to freedom and a life not defined by pleasing others but by God's purpose for us. Related Episodes: Do you have healthy boundaries? What do I do if I feel bad about having ruined my body? Don’t miss the continuation of this conversation where Heather and Joyce will focus on how to break free from the chains of subjugation and step into the full life God intends for you. Connect with Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Join the next 40-Day 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 .
Fri, October 11, 2024
Healing Prayer for Identity and Body Image Issues Featuring Keith and Megan Peeler
Heather continues her deep dive into the realm of spiritual warfare with guests Keith and Megan Peeler of Everfree . They explore the profound realities of spiritual oppression, particularly relating to body image and identity issues. Heather emphasizes this isn't about fear, but about empowering truth—through Jesus, that we have authority over these spiritual challenges. Megan Peeler shares personal revelations and the dangers of disassociating from our bodies, a coping mechanism often encouraged by cultural conditioning. Keith Peeler highlights the importance of identity and how the enemy aims to undermine it by sowing lies that weaken our ability to fulfill God-given assignments. The episode also tackles the essence of true identity and our spiritual authority as co-heirs with Christ. Megan reflects on discovering her authority in spiritual warfare, which transformed how she confronts negative thoughts. Heather and the Peelers underscore that intimacy with God isn't just theoretical; it's an experiential journey that reshapes our identity in Him. Expect to dive into a discussion on the profound impact of identity attacks in spiritual warfare, how experiences shape our understanding of God, and ways to invite Jesus into our healing process. For more information on how healing prayer works visit Megan and Keith Peeler's website at EverFreePrayer.org Megan's new ministry Everfree Her is coming in January! Learn more about Compared to Who? by visiting: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Interested in healing prayer for your body image issues? Reach out to Heather at: heather@comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 08, 2024
Spiritual Warfare, Healing Prayer, and Body Image Issues
Host Heather Creekmore is joined by special guests Keith and Megan Peeler for a compelling discussion on spiritual warfare and healing. Together, they dive into the often-overlooked aspects of spiritual life that affect our identity and beliefs. Megan & Keith share about growing up in churches that focused on theology without much emphasis on the Holy Spirit. They share their own story of encountering the Holy Spirit in a new way and how becoming equipped for spiritual warfare became important to them and their ministry. They talk about how they help people understand the ways the enemy can oppress and affect the believer without possessing the believer. They also share how emotional trauma can evolve into spiritual wounds, affecting our core identity and beliefs. Keith and Megan, through their ministry called "Everfree" now do healing prayer with people to help them restore identity in Christ and heal these wounds. They share how this kind of prayer may feel unfamiliar, but doesn't have to look like the Exorcist movies from the 80s or be scary, loud, or dramatic in any way. In this part, Megan also shares how her recent journey with breast cancer affected her identity and brought on a new level of healing and deliverance for her. Whether you're looking to understand the spiritual roots of your struggles or seeking practical steps to walk closely with Jesus, today's episode is packed with wisdom and actionable insights. Learn more about Keith and Megan's ministry here: https://www.everfree.us/ Connect with Compared to Who? and find resources for body image healing and freedom here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 04, 2024
How Spiritual Maturity Can Transform Your Body Image Struggles
Host Heather Creekmore continues her discussion on the concept of agency and growing up, specifically focusing on how Christians can grow up spiritually. Drawing from the Apostle Paul's teachings in Ephesians, Heather explores how healing body image issues is tied to spiritual growth and understanding one's identity in Christ. She stresses that spiritual maturity provides the foundation for finding freedom from self-obsession and societal pressures regarding body image. Throughout the episode, Heather encourages listeners to pursue a deeper relationship with God, grow in their spiritual gifts, and find their identity in Christ, rather than in their appearance. Learn more about the ministry of Compared to Who? here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Join a coaching program here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Check out Compared to Who? merch here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 01, 2024
Finding Body Image Freedom Through Understanding Agency
Host Heather Creekmore dives into the concept of agency and its importance in growing up emotionally, spiritually, and mentally to defeat body image issues. She begins by framing agency as the ability to make good decisions for oneself without excessive dependence on external input and approval. Heather shares her own story about overcoming internalized limitations imposed by others' opinions, highlighting how these constraints often manifest in our lives. Heather emphasizes that agency is crucial for managing body image and food issues. She discusses how a lack of agency—stemming from experiences like emotional abuse, overly controlling environments, or childhood trauma—can lead to unhealthy food relationships, including restrictive eating or impulsive bingeing. She connects this to broader themes of spiritual growth, urging you to trust yourself under God's guidance and to stop allowing other people's opinions to dictate your self-judgment. By examining scriptural teachings and real-life examples, Heather will encourage you to challenge your fears and limiting beliefs. Growing up means taking control of one's life, making independent decisions, and seeing oneself accurately through the lens of God’s truth, rather than through the judgments of others. Ready for coaching? Learn more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Learn more and connect to Compared to Who?: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 27, 2024
How Do You Know and Feel That God Loves You?
Host Heather Creekmore tackles the deep-seated issue of truly feeling and knowing that God loves us. She begins by questioning whether listeners feel God’s love beyond just an intellectual understanding of it. Heather suggests that if more people genuinely felt secure in God’s love, concerns about body image would diminish significantly. Heather explores the disconnect between head knowledge and heart knowledge regarding God's love. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and internalizing God's steadfast love. Heather explains that chasing idols—whether they be body image, health, or other people—hinders the ability to feel God’s unconditional love. Heather advocates for confessing and repenting from idol worship to clear the ‘dust and dirt’ that clouds one’s perception of God's love. She urges listeners to visualize Jesus with them, embodying a loving and compassionate presence, free from disappointment or anger. She delves deeper into the concept of acceptance and approval from God versus humans. Heather underlines that individuals often seek validation by altering their bodies to gain others' approval, a futile effort since true safety and acceptance come only from God. Heather reminds listeners that God’s love is both spoken and demonstrated through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, highlighting the importance of embracing this truth above societal pressures regarding body image. Learn more about how Compared to Who? can help you find body image freedom and healing by visiting: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Learn more about Heather's 40-Day Body Image Workbook 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 .
Tue, September 24, 2024
Why Jonah 2:8 Is My Life Verse for Body Image Issues
Today Heather explains why Jonah 2:8, part of a prayer that Jonah prayed from the belly of the great fish that swallowed him, is her life verse for body image issues. Heather shares how the Holy Spirit convicted her of clinging to vain idols in her life and how she came to see through this verse that the more she clung to these idols, the further she became from feeling and recognizing God's love and mercies in her life. Here's the verse in the three translations Heather reads from today: Jonah 2:8: Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. (ESV) Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. (NLT) “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. (NIV) Do you need coaching? Do you want us to pray for you? Reach out at: heather@comparedtowho.me Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins again in January. Learn more 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 .
Fri, September 20, 2024
How Your Nervous System Affects Your Body Image Issues Featuring Dr. Tamara Rosier
Today Heather Creekmore continues the conversation with Dr. Tamara Rosier diving into the intricate relationship between the nervous system and body image issues. Here are three key takeaways you won't want to miss: Holistic Approach to Body Image : Culture often misguides us into believing that weight loss alone can resolve body image issues. Dr. Tamara Rosier and Heather Creekmore discuss that true resolution involves both physical and spiritual components, highlighting the complexity of understanding what is going on in your brain and your nervous system in certain scenarios. Understanding Nervous System Dynamics : Your nervous system plays a pivotal role in how you perceive and manage stressors related to body image. The episode emphasizes the importance of being aware of your nervous system to stay within your "window of tolerance"—a balanced state where you can effectively manage stress and interact socially without distress. Effective Coping Strategies : Both Dr. Rosier and Heather share personal stories of hyperarousal and hypoarousal, offering practical advice like box breathing and EMDR therapy. These techniques can help regulate the nervous system, providing tools to cope with anxiety, stress, and social situations more effectively. Dr. Tamara Rosier also introduces her new book, "You, Me, and Our ADHD Family," which offers valuable insights into family dynamics and emotional management, applicable to everyone, not just those with ADHD. (Amazon affiliate link) Listen to Heather's interview with Dr. Rosier on ADHD and Body Image Issues: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/could-your-body-image-issues-connect-to-adhd-featu Connect with Dr. Tamara Rosier: https://www.tamararosier.com/ or at https://www.miadhd.com Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 17, 2024
Do Body Image Issues Make You a Target for Narcissists?
Host Heather Creekmore and Dr. Tamara Rosier offers invaluable insights into navigating relationships with narcissists and understanding the crucial role of boundaries. Here are three key takeaways: 🔹 Boundaries Are Essential : Boundaries are not about controlling others; they are about defining what actions you will take in response to those that affect you. Even Jesus set boundaries to take care of his needs, as reflected in the New Testament. 🔹 Understanding Narcissistic Behavior : Narcissists use others to feed their ego and keep them off balance. This is different from mere selfish behavior, which is more about convenience. Identifying and distinguishing these behaviors is vital to protect your well-being. 🔹 Levels of Problematic Behavior : Not all negative behavior is "toxic." Dr. Rosier introduces the concept of "peccadillos" (minor annoyances), "noxious behavior" (selfish actions), and truly "toxic behavior" (harmful and manipulative). Recognizing these levels helps in managing relationships more effectively. Tune in to get more insights, personal anecdotes, and strategies for managing relationships and maintaining your mental health. 🎧 Listen to Heather's interview with Dr. Rosier on ADHD and Body Image Issues: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/could-your-body-image-issues-connect-to-adhd-featu Connect with Dr. Tamara Rosier: https://www.tamararosier.com/ or at https://www.miadhd.com Check out Dr. Rosier's new book here: https://amzn.to/4ensduq (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about coaching: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Shop for cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Stephanie Sarkis research on narcissism. Chuck DeGroat's book, "When Narcissism Comes to Church" (Amazon affiliate link) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 13, 2024
Coaching with Presli 2: Unpacking Control, Disappointment, and Expectations for Our Bodies
Today Heather coaches her client Presli around her struggles with body image, the need for control, and the fear of judgment. Presli opens up about feeling frustrated by the perceived pressure to adhere to strict rules about her body, while others seemingly don't have similar expectations placed on them. She candidly shares her belief that smaller women have better experiences in life, attributing this to societal ideals perpetuated by the media and those around her. The discussion revolves around the deep desire to be seen and accepted, as well as the pressure to maintain a certain body image. Both Heather and Presli emphasize the need to find lasting contentment in an identity rooted in Christ, as opposed to seeking it from external sources. They explore the theme of chronic disappointment and the struggle to trust in God's plan, with the notion that having control over every aspect of life does not lead to fulfillment. The episode provides a safe space for open dialogue, addressing the dissatisfaction of being loved or accepted for superficial reasons and the impact of appearance on relationships and self-perception. Here's the episode Presli and Heather discussed about the goodness of God: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/i-ruined-my-body-how-do-i-believe-my-body-is-good Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey began September 1. Learn more 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 .
Tue, September 10, 2024
Live Coaching Call: Presli's Battle with Butter & Fear
Heather Creekmore shares a recording coaching session with her client, Presli, who has been working through the Body Image Freedom Framework online course. They discuss Presli's journey, including her past struggles with body image and her recent experience at a restaurant where she felt derailed by the presence of butter in her meal. They also touch on Presli's feelings of anger, fear, and the pressures of diet culture. Throughout their conversation, they explore how these emotions and thought patterns have impacted Presli's relationship with food and her body. The episode also delves into the concept of the "gluttony of delicacy" (coined by C.S. Lewis) and the psychological impact of feeling like one has a special "life sentence" when it comes to food. The conversation ends on a hopeful note as Presli shares her journey of learning to enjoy food without fear and how she's working towards a healthier relationship with her body. The episode offers insight and encouragement for anyone struggling with body image issues and diet culture pressures. Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more 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 .
Fri, September 06, 2024
Can Changing Your Body Fix Your Body Image Issues? Part 2
Heather Creekmore delves into the complex relationship between body image, dieting, and exercise. The discussion highlights the emotional and psychological effects of relying on physical changes to fix inner turmoil and encourages listeners to confront the root causes of body image discomfort. With insights into how embracing anxious feelings and fears can lead to spiritual and emotional well-being, this episode challenges the notion of using quick fixes. Heather talks about how we can approach our fears and be curious about them. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity in Christ. The episode sheds light on the ineffectiveness of believing diet and exercise are effective solutions to body image issues and offers a perspective as to how to find body image healing through deeper faith in Christ. Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more 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 .
Tue, September 03, 2024
Are Diet & Exercise Effective Ways to Avoid Body Image Issues?
In this episode of "Compared To Who?" Heather Creekmore challenges the common belief that changing our bodies is the solution to body image issues. She discusses the harmful impact of diets and exercise on individuals' well-being and tackles the cultural misconception that achieving a certain body size will lead to freedom from body image struggles. Heather emphasizes that people of all sizes experience body image issues and that placing hope in diet and exercise often leads to disappointment, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical detriment. She warns against diet culture's subtle influence, warping Scripture to manipulate individuals into believing that their worth is determined by their body size and equating weight loss with spiritual success. Listen to the first episode on Gwen Shamblin and Diet Culture in the church here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more 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 .
Fri, August 30, 2024
4 Ways to Stop Negative Thoughts About Your Body: Part 2
In this episode of "Compared to Who?" host Heather Creekmore continues the important conversation on stopping negative thoughts about our bodies. Heather highlights the necessity of reevaluating beliefs about body image and the importance of valuing God's thoughts above one's own. Drawing from Isaiah 55:8-9, she encourages the listener to assess whether they live in alignment with God's truth or prioritize maintaining a certain image in the eyes of others. Heather also discusses the idea of self-worship and the pursuit of self-created ideals, emphasizing the need to shift focus from self to God. She delves into the significance of embracing humility and repentance as transformative measures. The episode emphasizes the use of the "Philippians 4:8 filter" to assess and process thoughts. Heather walks the listeners through a practical application of this filter, guiding them to evaluate thoughts against the criteria of truth, honor, righteousness, purity, loveliness, excellence, and praiseworthiness. Throughout the episode, Heather encourages listeners to identify and discard detrimental thoughts, highlighting the liberating impact of cultivating a healthy thought life. Heather also shares personal experiences and testimonials from her journey, attesting to the transformative power of aligning thought patterns with biblical truths. Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more 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 .
Tue, August 27, 2024
4 Ways To Stop Thinking Negatively About Your Body
Don't believe everything you think. That's what host, Heather Creekmore discusses today as she encourages Christian women on how to handle internal negative thoughts that can become obsessive. Heather provides scriptural and practical guidance for taking control of these thoughts. The episode delves into combating negative self-perceptions and the harmful influence of societal ideals. It also discusses the importance of addressing the heart and belief systems as the first step toward transforming thought patterns. Heather will encourage you to preach the gospel to your doubts and how real faith isn't just about knowing Jesus died for you, but about practicing living in a way that shows you believe He is the truth. Go check out our brand new Etsy show to get cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop New to the show? Learn more about Heather Creekmore, Heather's books, and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: www.improvebodyimage.com Ready for real body image change? The 40-Day Journey begins soon. Learn more 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 .
Fri, August 23, 2024
What to Do if You Are Afraid People Are Judging Your Body: Part 2
Do you have fear and anxiety about being judged for your body size or are you dealing with actual criticisms from others? Heather discusses the need to face the fear and be curious about it, as well as finding grace for both oneself and those who criticize. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help and finding safety in the unconditional love of Jesus. The episode also touches on the societal pressure for thinness and the pitfalls of relying solely on weight loss drugs for acceptance. Other Episodes Mentioned: Why I Want to Try Ozempic: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/why-i-want-to-try-ozempic-what-you-need-to-know-if Ozempic and the Oprah Special: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/ozempic-and-oprah-have-i-changed-my-mind Join the 40-Day Journey: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Shop for cute podcast merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 20, 2024
What to Do When You're Afraid People Are Judging Your Weight
Host Heather Creekmore explores the common fear of feeling judged and criticized for one's weight and appearance. She candidly shares her personal experience of spiraling thoughts while standing in church, obsessing over whether others were thinking critical thoughts about her body. She encourages listeners to stop assuming the thoughts of others, to stop objectifying others based on appearance, and to seek approval only from God rather than from people. The episode highlights the impact of seeking external approval and the freedom found in accepting Christ's love. The episode concludes with an announcement about a new line of merch available on the Compared to Who shop. Tune in to the next episode, part two, for more on dealing with criticism and rejection from friends regarding body size. Join us on the 40-Day Journey which begins in September! Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Find and search for other episodes of the Compared to Who? podcast here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/podcast Shop new Compared to Who? merch: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/shop Join our friends list and find out about special opportunities and offers from Compared to Who? https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 11, 2024
3 Ways to Find Rest in Your Body Image or Eating Disorder Recovery Journey
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
Fri, June 07, 2024
What Does the Bible Speak to Aging and Body Image?
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 .
Tue, June 04, 2024
I've Messed Up My Body: How Do I Move Forward?
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 .
Fri, May 31, 2024
I Ruined My Body: How Do I Believe My Body is Good When I Messed It Up?
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 .
Tue, May 28, 2024
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others (For Teens and Women of All Ages)
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 .
Fri, May 24, 2024
How to Stop Feeling Shame About Your Body: Does Oprah's Solution Work?
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 .
Tue, May 21, 2024
How to Become the Kind of Woman Who . . . A New Way to Tackle Goal Setting
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 .
Fri, May 17, 2024
4 Lessons from Taylor Swift About Body Image Issues and Body Image Idols
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 .
Tue, May 14, 2024
Should We Tell People to Turn to Jesus Not Food? Part 2
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 .
Fri, May 10, 2024
Re-evaluating "Turn to Jesus, Not Food": Have We Created a False Dichotomy?
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 .
Tue, May 07, 2024
Changing How You Talk About Food & Body With Your Children
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) Gra
Tue, April 30, 2024
What I Learned from Internet Influencer Master Classes About Food and Taking Care of My Health
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 .
Tue, April 30, 2024
Healing Thyroid, Autoimmune Disease, Weight Loss, and What I Learned from Master Classes from Influencers
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 .
Fri, April 26, 2024
3 Secrets to Aging Well for Christians with Body Image and Food Issues
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 .
Tue, April 23, 2024
What is a Biblical View of Botox? Is it Okay to Get Injections?
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 .
Fri, April 19, 2024
I'm Aging and My Clothes Don't Fit Anymore! What Should I Do With Them?
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 .
Tue, April 16, 2024
Aging Gratefully: Letting Go of Fear and Embracing God's Purpose for Each New Season
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 .
Fri, April 12, 2024
Going from Approval-Seeking to Finding Confidence in Christ
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 .
Tue, April 09, 2024
Non-Diet Ways to Work With Your Hormones and Feel Better in Your Body
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 .
Fri, April 05, 2024
Are Men More Visual? Unpacking Purity Culture and Body Image Issues
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 .
Tue, April 02, 2024
Do You Have Gym Class Trauma Impacting Your Body Image Issues?
Today Heather digs in to how our experiences in gym class may be impacting our body image issue today. Did you get picked last for the teams? Did you hate getting hit by the dodge ball or wearing gym uniforms or changing with the other girls? Did a teacher weigh you and then call out the number for the whole class to hear? Many who wrestle with body image issues are still struggling with trauma of what we were told or believed was true about us in gym class! Today Heather reminisces through the various angles of this issue and offers encouragement for anyone still suffering with gym class trauma. Have you read the 40 Day Body Image Workbook Yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Start on your journey to body image freedom and healing from gym class trauma (or other body image issue instigators) today! Learn more or get your copy 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 .
Fri, March 29, 2024
Contentment and Sanctification Improving Body Image Issues: Live Coaching Call Featuring Presli
In part two of the live coaching episode with Presli, Heather Creekmore and client, Presli, delve into the concept of righteousness and adoption in the context of body image and family upbringing. Presli bravely opens up about her family's view of fitness and body size, revealing the deep-seated impact it had on her perception of herself. They discuss the idea of being seen for who you truly are, beyond physical appearances, and how authenticity and integrity play a crucial role in finding freedom from body image struggles. In this vulnerable and insightful conversation, Heather guides Presli through a journey of self-discovery and reflection, prompting her to explore the concept of adoption in the Bible and how it relates to her own life. The session touches on the power of authenticity, breaking down the myth of a "perfect" external appearance, and finding true value and acceptance. If you're looking for real, relatable discussions on body image and faith, this episode is a must-listen. It's a powerful reminder that we are all seen, known, and loved beyond our physical attributes. Ready for body image coaching? Join the April/May mini-session and have direct access to Heather through April and May to get your questions answered. Plus, get 4 sessions with an encouraging group of Christian women. See what's included in the April/May group coaching mini-session here https://www.improvebodyimage.com/offers/XorzcqNz/checkout Or, find out more about Heather's coaching options here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 26, 2024
Rejection, Shame, and Healing: Coaching Call Featuring Presli
In today's episode, host Heather Creekmore leads a live coaching session with guest Presli, as they dive into the topic of rejection and its impact on body image. Presli shares her personal experiences of feeling rejected due to physical attributes, and the shame and desire to cover up that followed. Through a candid conversation, they explore the damaging effects of societal pressures on body image and self-worth, and the desire to be seen and accepted. Drawing on biblical teachings and personal experiences, Heather and Presli discuss finding comfort and contentment beyond physical appearance and societal standards, and how seeking value and joy in the Lord can lead to true contentment. Watch for part two of this powerful conversation this Friday. Is coaching right for you? Learn more about Heather's coaching offers at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching A new mini-session group is opening for April/May only! Learn more about how you can find body image freedom through group coaching. https://www.improvebodyimage.com/offers/XorzcqNz/checkout Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 22, 2024
Ozempic and the Oprah Special: Have I Changed My Mind?
Today Heather tackles the tricky topic of Ozempic, Wegovy, and other drugs that have recently been approved for weight loss. Heather talks about Oprah's new television special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution which aired this week and is now available on Hulu. She also references another television program on Ozempic called: The Skinny Confessions, Life After Ozempic (also available on Hulu). Scripture doesn't give us clear direction on weight loss or weight loss drugs. So there's a lot of gray space (and opportunities for grace) as Heather discusses both the positive and negative aspects of why we would choose to use one of these weight loss drugs. New here? Start with these episodes: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/get-started Heather's first episode on Ozempic: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/why-i-want-to-try-ozempic-what-you-need-to-know-if Heather's podcast on righteousness: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/the-religion-of-our-diets-confusing-messages-of-di Exercise Non-Responders episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-an-exercise-non-responder-does-exercise-wo Learn more about Heather and Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 19, 2024
Is Your Body a Project? Paint Your Own Pottery Body Theology
Today Heather helps explain what a healthy theology of our bodies should look like. Do you have a biblical view of your body and what it was made for or have you been influenced by culture and the wisdom of the world into believing that your body has two purposes: serving God and trying to look or be better? Heather looks at 2 Corinthians 4:7 where Paul talks about our bodies being "jars of clay" and whether or not this instruction is supposed to make us focus on trying to perfect what those jars of clay look like. Heather encourages listeners that they have one main mission and purpose: loving God, loving others, and making disciples of Jesus (the Great Commandment and the Great Commission) and how caring for our bodies needs to support this main mission. Heather ends the show with a look at two Christian influencers who have created a theology of the body that says that plastic surgery is the best way to "throw off the sin that entangles" and why perfecting our bodies in the way culture says they need to be perfected, may be a distraction from our main mission. There's no shame or condemnation for any who have gotten work done, but instead, we can all consider, moving forward, what the best ways to support our body's true mission should be. Have you read the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Heather uses a bit from Day 4 of the book in today's episode. You'l want to read the whole thing if you haven't already. Learn more here: books-for-christian-women-body-image Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 12, 2024
The Bible's Perspective on Emotional Eating and the Religion of Food
Maybe you've heard that as Christians we have to be careful to go to God, not to food. Maybe you've heard that emotional eating is wrong, sinful, or not "taking care of your temple" the way God instructs. But, what if there's more to it than that? What if God created our bodies to eat and what if relating to food and eating should be as simple and benign as the way we relate to breathing, sleeping, or even using the bathroom? In today's podcast, Heather takes an alternative look at emotional eating and the religion that our culture (diet culture) has created around food and food rules. Heather challenges the notion that dieting is the only way to relate, biblically and healthfully to food. Heather also challenges the concept that restricting food and keeping a fear of "overdoing it" is what's most healthy for us as Christians. What if restricting is what leads us to an over-obsessive relationship with food that renders us less useful for the cause of Christ? Today, prepare to have your preconceived notions about food, dieting, and what the Bible says challenged in a healthy and helpful way. Heather references this passage where Jesus fed the disciples breakfast: John 21:1-14 Heather references the book, "Health, Money, and Love and Why We Don't Enjoy Them" by Robert Farrar Capon. Heather invites you to join the next 40-Day Reading Challenge starting in May. Learn more at ImproveBodyimage.com Ready for more intensive body image help? Join the Body Image Freedom Framework Mini-Session happening this April and May. Email Heather for more information. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 12, 2024
Low Carb Fraud: Who is Really Behind Our Food Rules?
Today's show gets a little spicy as Heather calls into question the dieting trends over the past 50 years and where they came from. You'll be shocked to hear who really came up with the low-carb trend. You may even be a little frustrated to learn how some who advocated for eating a certain way have changed their minds as they "reconsider" the science. The question Heather brings us back to today is: What does the Bible say about food? Does the Bible tell us we have to follow whatever food rules are trendy in order to be a good "steward" of our bodies? Does God care about how we eat? Who should we listen to when it comes to taking care of our bodies? There's some big revelations and many questions in today's episode. Consider pausing or journaling your thoughts as you listen to help you find or make peace with food. Have you read the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Many of today's concepts are connected to principles, stories, and charts found in this fantastic new resource. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian or drop Heather an email (Heather @ Comparedtowho.me) if you'd like to read through the book with a group starting May 21st. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 08, 2024
What's Your Praying Personality? Featuring Janet McHenry
Heather Creekmore is joined by author Janet McHenry to discuss the many facets of prayer, personal struggles with prayer, and the various "praying personalities" that influence how individuals approach prayer. Janet shares her inspiring journey of navigating health issues and how it led her to a deeper life of prayer, ultimately leading her to write a book about prayer walking. Throughout the episode, Heather and Janet delve into the different ways people can connect with God through prayer, the impact of personality on prayer habits, and the significance of understanding oneself through the lens of biblical characters. Join us as we explore the diverse ways individuals engage with prayer, recognizing the importance of prayer with our God-given personalities and the freedom found in embracing our uniqueness. Want to check out Janet's new book? Buy the book on Amazon here. (Amazon affiliate link, tiny portion of your purchase goes back to this ministry.) Want to know more about Compared to Who?, coaching, and Heather Creekmore's books? Visit: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 05, 2024
Are You Preparing for a Cruise or for Battle? Re-Framing Body Image Issues Biblically
Today Heather asks a poignant question: As you think about your body and body image, are you trying to be cruise ship ready or battle ship ready? There's quite a difference, right? When we prepare for a cruise, we want to look good in a swimsuit and we're looking ahead to a time of fun in the sun. But, if we think about preparing to go on a battle ship, our motivations and goals are different, aren't they? Scripture tells us that if we hold fast to the testimony of Jesus, Satan has declared war on us. (Revelation 12:17) We know from the book of Ephesians that we are in a spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood but against the Enemy. So, what do we believe is most important? What do we believe our bodies are for? Have we believed the lies of the body image idol that tell us that life will be a "funship cruise" as soon as we get the body we've always wanted? Or, do we believe scripture that tells us that Heaven will be glorious, but here on earth, we've gotta be armed and ready for battle? Cruise ship or battle ship? That's the question Heather poses to you today. Not sure about spiritual warfare in body image issues? Listen to these episodes: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/exposing-the-enemys-scheme-unraveling-the-spiritua https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/spiritual-warfare-body-image-issues-part-2 https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/reclaiming-your-stolen-identity-spiritual-warfare Ready for body image coaching? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 01, 2024
Gwen Shamblin's Impact on Diet Culture in the Church
Gwen Shamblin put the "cult" in Diet Culture as you'll hear today in clips (used under Fair Use law for educational and critique purposes) from the 2023 Lifetime Movie, "Starving for Salvation: The Gwen Shamblin Story." Gwen was starving for salvation, trying to fill a void and an emptiness through weight loss, and eventually through power, money, and control. In today's episode (part 2 of 2) we listen to clips from the movie that show her rapid descent into heresy, denying Jesus, her rejection of grace, and her displays of wrong theology around what makes a woman acceptable or unacceptable in the church. These powerful, hurtful, and unbiblical concepts may still be lingering in churches today (the Weigh Down book sold more than 1.7 million copies and her program is still alive today and at one point was in 14,000 churches.) Heather's call to you today is to be clear on what the Bible says. Be clear about what the Bible really says about our bodies, weight loss (by the way -- it doesn't touch this subject), and food. Ready to get on the path to body image freedom? Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com and find access to online courses, Heather's books and other podcast episodes like this. Need more help on you freedom journey? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 27, 2024
Starving for Salvation: What We Can Learn from Gwen Shamblin Part 1
Today Heather digs into the mysterious and disturbing world of diet culture and, more specifically, how diet culture turned into an actual cult in the case of Gwen Shamblin, the Weigh Down Workshops and book, and the Remanent Church. This is part one of a two-part series where we'll walk through the new Starving for Salvation Lifetime movie that is based on Gwen Shamblin's life story. Though it is a fictionalized account, much of what the movie shows was documented in The Way Down documentary that aired on HBO Max a few years ago. What sticks out to Heather today is how an unbiblical focus and prioritization on weight loss and beliefs about weight loss that are connected to holiness and righteousness set Gwen on a path of heresy and, ultimately, self-destruction. Today we explore some clips from the first part of the film and talk about Gwen's obvious eating disorder and twisted way of thinking about food, God, and the body. All clips in this episode are used under Fair Use law for informational, educational, and critique purposes only. Watch the Starving for Salvation Trailer: https://youtu.be/3C5Od2gpgiQ?si=6bOOZUdejxu4MVW2 Ready for some help with your body image issues? Want to take a biblical approach to finding freedom from body and food issues that bog you down? Learn more about Heather's online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather Creekmore's books to help Christian women improve their body image here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 23, 2024
I've Never Been Able to Reach My Ideal Image: Presli's Live Coaching Part 2
Heather continues with part two of her first LIVE coaching call with her newest and perhaps bravest client, Presli. Today Heather and Presli talk about how her Ideal Image has kept her chasing an unattainable body size, shape, and look and how it keeps her chasing. We talk about what parts of her life are affected when she tries to become more like her Ideal Image. Presli also shares more of her personal story, her struggles with size and weight through her teens and twenties, and more. Plus: Presli talks about some of the work she has done and sermons she has listened to in the online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework. Would you like coaching too? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Presli mentioned Heather's book, "The Burden of Better: How a Comparison-Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace and Rest" Have you read it yet? Learn more here. (Amazon affiliate link a tiny portion of any purchases go to support this ministry.) There's still time to join our 40-Day Reading Challenge for Lent! A possible new time slot may open on Thursday afternoons. Learn more here or email Heather (heather @ comparedtowho.me for more information): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 20, 2024
Live Coaching Session 1: How Presli's Body Image Issues Began
Today Heather airs her first LIVE coaching call with her newest and perhaps bravest client, Presli. Presli shares her story, how her body image issues began, including her first feelings and recognition of feeling like there was something wrong with her body or that her body was not the right size. Heather and Presli explore the voices and influences that contributed to her earliest thoughts and feelings about her body. They also begin to explore Presli's ideal image and who Presli has believed she should look more like. Heather gives Presli a homework assignment and they talk about the work Presli has done in the online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework. Would you like coaching too? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching There's still time to join our 40-Day Reading Challenge for Lent! A possible new time slot may open on Thursday afternoons. Learn more here or email Heather (heather @ comparedtowho.me for more information): https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 16, 2024
Body Image and Biblical Counseling: Discovering How Scripture Speaks to Our Thoughts and Feelings Featuring Ed Welch
Today host Heather Creekmore is joined by author Ed Welch for a thought-provoking conversation about biblical counseling, body image issues, and the challenges of Christian teachings in the face of human emotions. The discussion touches on the impact of Welch's book "When People Are Big and God Is Small" on Creekmore's own work in biblical counseling, the importance of finding words to express struggles in biblical counseling and the tension between seeking God's comfort in anxiety and the reality of human emotions. They explore the significance of supportive friendships, prayer, and seeking help from trusted individuals amidst personal struggles. Welch also introduces a new counseling Bible and discusses the diverse applications of scripture in addressing modern struggles. Here are some key quote takeaways from today's show: "Sometimes we don't speak about the difficult things we experience because we don't think we should have those. Christian the Christian emotional life should be just a little bit better than the majority of people because we have Jesus, So we should be a little bit happier than everybody else, and that'd be anything less than that is to somehow dishonor god and say he's less Powerful." - Ed Welch How the Psalms can teach us about our emotions: Ed says they teach us to ask, "What is important on your soul right now? How you feel is the same thing. What is especially important to you right now? What are your joys? What are your delights? What are your hopes? What are your ambitions? What are your fears?" Learn more about Ed Welch and the Biblical Counseling Bible here: https://www.ccef.org/people/ed-welch Check out the CSB Life Counsel Bible: https://amzn.to/3SIEi56 (Amazon affiliate link) 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-cour
Tue, February 13, 2024
Finding Our True Purpose: Have You Been Purpose-Fooled? Featuring Kelly Needham
Today Heather engages in a captivating conversation with author, speaker, and podcaster, Kelly Needham. Together, they delve into Kelly's thought-provoking book, "Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough." Kelly shares her insights on redefining purpose and the misconceptions surrounding chasing one's dreams and finding a distinct calling. Emphasizing the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than a specific purpose, Kelly challenges what we've heard and said about our purpose and invites listeners to a simpler, more biblical way to approach the topic. Discover Kelly's shift in perspective as she shares her experiences and biblical wisdom. Kelly reminds us that we can't do great things for God without spending time with Him and that true health and vitality comes from intimacy with God. The pair also talks about over-achievement, working to hard for our own glory, and how this connects to body image issues. Learn more about Kelly Needham here: https://kellyneedham.com/ Grab a copy of her new book, "Purposefooled" here (Amazon affiliate link.) 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 09, 2024
What Do You Do When You Want to Be Thinner?
"I want to be thinner." Have you said it? Have you thought it? It's a reality that many of us face because culture tells us that thinness is what we should desire and our culture values the way we look only if we are thin. Today, Heather unpacks what we can do, biblically, to explore that desire we have to be thinner or a longing we have for any sort of body change. Heather has three main points for today: It's Okay to Feel This way, Exploring What You Really Long For, and Aligning Our Desires with God's Desires. Here are some of the questions Heather poses in today's episode for you to reflect on: Do I really want a thin body – or is it that I want more control in a life that feels uncontrollable? Do I want some sort of insurance policy that I’ll never have to face a sickness that makes me uncomfortable or dehabilitates me? Do I want acceptance and trust and admiration from people? (Am I struggling with people pleasing?) What is it I desire the most? If it’s not more of God, more of his kingdom, to be more like Jesus – then I have to step back and ask myself what I’m believing: Am I believing that this life is the end game -that this is the Parade and not the warm up? Am I believing that these things I’m focused on here are ultimate things -things that will last until heaven or things that give me crowns in heaven? Am I believing that I will be more righteous or loved by God if I change the way my body looks? Here are some other things mentioned in today's show: Podcast episode on body grief and grieving ideal body size: https://www.comparedtowho.me/what-to-do-when-youre-depressed-about-body-size-grieving-your-ideal-body/ Podcast episode on "I Just Want to Feel Better About My Body": https://www.comparedtowho.me/i-just-want-to-feel-okay-about-my-body/ 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Journey? Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.
Tue, February 06, 2024
How God Showed Jonna the Truth About Her Body Image Struggle
Host Heather Creekmore continues her conversation with Jonna, a biblical counselor, women's ministry leader, and pastor's wife who struggled with body image issues. Jonna shares the specific insights and breakthroughs she experienced in her journey of overcoming body image struggles through coaching with Heather. This is part two of the conversation. Today's conversation delves into how Jonna learned to shift her perspective about beauty and the true source of beauty according to scripture. She reflects on the realization that her blessings in life are not related to her physical appearance, but rather her relationships and the joy of being with her family. Jonna shares her emotional journey of learning to see herself and others through a different lens, focusing on joy and the character of the Lord rather than physical appearance. Jonna also discusses various exercises and reflections she underwent during the coaching program, such as acknowledging her struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and the impact of her childhood experiences. She emphasizes the significance of adopting a new perspective on her identity and righteousness in Christ, realizing that her worth does not come from striving for physical betterment or perfection. The episode concludes with Jonna expressing her appreciation for Heather's coaching and the positive impact it has had on her life. Heather encourages listeners to consider participating in the coaching program or the 40-day Body Image Workbook Lent Reading Challenge to embark on their own journey toward freedom from body image struggles. This episode provides a candid and transformative dialogue about embracing one's true identity and finding freedom from the pressures of physical appearance through a faith-based, biblical approach to body image issues. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Interested in being a part o
Fri, February 02, 2024
A Biblical Counselor's Search for Body Image Freedom: Jonna's Story
Today Heather Creekmore interviews her coaching client, pastor's wife, biblical counselor and women's ministry leader, Jonna, to share her story of body image struggles and what she experienced as she went through Heather's group coaching program: the Body Image Freedom Framework. Jonna vulnerably recounts the impact of hurtful comments on her body image and identity (including a drive-by "lose weight" comment). She talks about her internal battles as a Christian and biblical counselor facing body image struggles and how she believed she should already know or have all the answers to be free. Jonna helps listeners gain insight into the misconceptions surrounding seeking help for body image issues. She also unpacks her own journey and the temptation we all have to focus on physical appearance as a distraction from addressing deeper emotional wounds. Jonna's story highlights the importance of reorienting our focus towards pursuing the imperishable beauty of the heart and a quiet spirit and finding real beauty in fearing the Lord. Jonna's story will encourage and inspire you. There is hope if you have body image struggles. And, there's no one too "informed" or "mature" to be beyond getting the help they need from a trusted advisor to identify the places you are stuck so that you can find true freedom in Christ. Next week we'll hear the rest of Jonna's story and she'll share how God worked in specific parts of her life through coaching! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opport
Tue, January 30, 2024
Stop the Black & White Thinking Around Health Goals: Featuring Victoria Yates, RN, BSN
Are you a black-and-white, all-or-nothing type of person who has a difficult time living in the gray (or grace) when it comes to your body, your food, or your health? If so, then today's episode is for you! Heather interviews podcast host, RN, and Intuitive Eating and body image coach, Victoria Yates about how we can learn to live in the "messy middle." Heather and Victoria talk about what it looks like to have health goals yet to not obsess over them, idolize them, or turn them into a shaming force that is anything but healthy. Heather and Victoria dive into an empowering conversation about pursuing health goals without succumbing to the pressures of diet culture, delving into the importance of a calm and respectful relationship with food, the damaging effects of perfectionism and dieting, and the journey towards intuitive eating. With personal experiences and practical insights, they guide Christian women on a path of grace, self-compassion, and healthy living. Learn more about Victoria, learn how to work with her, or listen to her podcast here: https://www.victoria-yates.com/ 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Haven't bought the 40-Day Body Image Workbook yet? Grab your copy here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 26, 2024
Live Podcast Q&A: Using the Lord's Name to Sell Weight Loss and More
Today is part two of the LIVE podcast featuring a 25-year eating disorder specialist, dietitian, and lover of Jesus, Amy Carlson M.S., L.D., R.D. Amy begins the episode by explaining something she said at the end of the last episode about taking the Lord's name in vain when we use God's name to rubber-stamp or sell our diet or fitness program. In addition to this truth bomb, Amy tackles questions from our live audience about participating in church-wide fasts, digestive issues that result from disordered eating or eating disorders, and what to do if you can't seem to stop binge eating. Amy shares so much wisdom in a God-honoring and gentle way. You can't help but get something out of today's great episode. Interested in being a part of the next LIVE podcast? Make sure you're on the Compared to Who? email list at: www.improvebodyimage.com Are you READY to take the 40-Day Body Image Reading Challenge? This year for Lent (February 14-March 30) Heather invites you to read her brand new, 40-Day Body Image Workbook along with her. Weekly Zoom meeting check-ins will help keep us all reading and accountable. Plus, find community with other women who are also working to improve their body image in a God-honoring way. Find out more about this new challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Looking for more one-on-one support? Learn more about coaching and the Body Image Freedom Framework here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 23, 2024
Self Control, Good Stewards, Body Image and Food Issues: LIVE Episode Featuring Amy Carlson
In this first-ever episode of Compared to Who? to be recorded with a LIVE audience, Heather and her guest, Amy Carlson, RD and eating disorder expert dive into the pressure to conform to all the diet-related pressures of January. Heather and Amy candidly discuss the intertwining of diet culture and the church, shedding light on how confusing it can be when the messages of culture around us start coming at us from our own congregations. Inspired by Creekmore's new book, "the 40-day Body Image Workbook," the conversation delves into making peace with one's body and feeling God's love, offering biblical encouragement and real talk about body image. Amy and Heather address the intertwining of diet culture and church culture, exploring how it can create shame and pressure regarding food and body image. They also discuss the concept of self-control in the church context and the dangers of using religious language to promote dieting and body image ideals. The episode highlights the need for genuine support, love, and deeper understanding within the Christian community as they navigate these complex issues. This is part one of a two-part episode, part two includes the Q&A from the live audience that participated in the recording. If you'd like to learn more about the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and group coaching program, go to: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Ready for freedom but don't think coaching is for you right now, grab Heather's latest book: The 40-Day Body Image Workbook, and get started on your freedom journey: 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 .
Fri, January 19, 2024
My Body was the Lens I Used to See & Think About Everything: Rachel's Story Part 2
Today Heather continues her conversation with coaching client, Rachel, who completed the Body Image Freedom Framework course and coaching program in the Fall. Rachel shared in the last episode her story of being raised in a Christian home and learning to love Jesus, yet, how she was always complimented on her appearance and how this, subtly, led her to become fixated on it. In today's powerful episode, Rachel shares how God revealed to her that she looked at everything through the lens of her body. She thought about her body all day long, while getting dressed, while eating, while resting, while doing ministry. She thought about her body on vacation, while driving places, you name it, her body was always front of mind. Rachel talks about how we are called to love Jesus with all of our hearts, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37), and how God convicted her that she was consumed mentally thinking about her body and food -- not thinking about Jesus. Rachel shares who God gave her new lenses to see her struggle differently and how God is helping her walk in new freedom with both her body and food. Rachel shares how God has revealed to her the truth of scripture, that all of these things that we chase really are passing away, so that she can chase what will last and what is truly important. Finally, Rachel also shares how though her weight has changed, she has become healthier - and even has the blood work to prove it. Many women who are in disordered eating or eating disorders are shamed with fear that to have a healthy relationship with food would mean they'd have an unhealthy body. But, this isn't the truth. There is a way to be healthy and free! If you'd like to learn more about the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and group coaching program, go to: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Use the code: START40 at checkout for any monthly payment option to get started for just $40 in January. Ready for freedom but don't think coaching is for you right now, grab Heather's latest book: The 40-Day Body Image Workbook, and get started on your freedom journey: 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 .
Tue, January 16, 2024
How I Made Beauty an Idol: Rachel's Story
Today Heather interviews one of her graduates from the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and coaching program named Rachel. Rachel shares her story of feeling like her appearance is what made her accepted. She shares how she slowly and subtly slipped into becoming more and more obsessed and focused on her appearance and her weight as she aged. Rachel relates her story to Gollum from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Gollum became more and more obsessed with having the ring until it destroyed him. But that ring was his power, his worth, and his identity. Similarly, as Rachel looks back on her story she's able to see how her desire for beauty, a certain body size, and acceptance secretly became more important to her than Jesus. Rachel authentically shares the journey God has taken her on and how she's been learning to walk in freedom with her body, body size, and food. This is part one of a two-part interview. In Friday's episode we'll talk about how Rachel viewed all of life through the lens of her body and how God helped give her new glasses to change her perspective. If you are interested in learning more about the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and coaching program - or learning how you can get started in January for just $40, go to: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching At checkout, use the code: START40 on any monthly payment option for the course and coaching. Or reach out to Heather at Heather @comparedtowho.me if you have questions about the program or are wondering if it is right for you. Looking for other ways to get free from body image issues? Check out Heather's brand new book, The 40-Day Body Image Workbook 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 .
Fri, January 12, 2024
My Body Was My Business Card: Belinda's Story of Overcoming Negative Body Image
“My body became my business card,” Belinda explains in today's interview. You'll hear all about Belinda’s journey from experiencing weight loss success and even coaching others in a popular weight loss business to being overwhelmed with body image issues and desperate for help. Belinda just completed the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and group coaching program. Belinda reached out on her 40th birthday for help and is now sharing her story after spending 12 weeks in Heather’s coaching and course. Belinda had the “after” picture, but it hadn’t fixed her body image issues. Today Belinda shares what she thought and expected from the program, how the program worked for her, and where she’s at now in her body image struggles. “God wants you to be healthy and thin” was the message she heard, but it soon became an idol that Belinda was chasing and feeling more and more trapped instead of more freedom. Now she feels like she has tools to knock down the lies and fight to believe what God says about her worth and her body. Belinda shares how she had to re-learn principles around food and body from a biblical perspective and how she’s wrestled her heart posture and beliefs around beauty. She shares how this course helped her take that head knowledge and make it heart knowledge. They also talk about how heavy the body shame is when women are struggling with body image issues and always trying to change their body to feel better about it. They also talk about how the group coaching program connected Belinda to a group of women who understand not only her body image struggles but also understand a biblical perspective on how to solve them. Connect with Belinda here: https://www.instagram.com/healthinhisimage/ Ready for coaching this year? Get started with Heather's Body Image Freedom Framework Coaching or online course for just $40 in January. Use the code: Start40 on www.improvebodyimage.com course page. Or, drop Heather an email at: heather@comparedtowho.me to learn more Have you read Heather's brand new 40-Day Body Image Workbook? Learn more about this fantastic resource at: 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 .
Tue, January 09, 2024
Learning How to Love Your Body Well Featuring Amy Reinecke
Today Heather welcomes Amy Reinecke host of the "Love Your Body Well" podcast. Heather and Amy discuss what Amy means when she talks about loving your body well and how it's not about body pride or a feeling you have about your body, but rather about an action you take towards your body -- how you treat it and think about it. Amy shares her story of weight loss and weight gain, struggling with back issues and an autoimmune disease, and how God has walked with her to a place where she feels more confident and comfortable with her body, even though it's not the size she prefers. Today Heather and Amy also talk about: **What's underneath our desire to "press the easy button" and try another diet to "fix it all" (and why this never works!) **How to unlearn our dieting behaviors **Amy shares how she felt like she was making "everyone else happy" with her weight loss, yet how she was miserable and stressed out on the inside. **How there's not a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss or health. We will each have to figure out what works for us. **Why your story and life are still valuable, even if you wish your body looked different. Learn more or connect with Amy Reinecke at: www.loveyourbodywell.net or on her podcast: Love Your Body Well Ready for coaching this year? Get started with Heather's coaching or online course for just $40 in January. Use the code: Start40 on www.improvebodyimage.com course page. Have you read Heather's brand new 40-Day Body Image Workbook? Learn more about this fantastic resource at: 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 .
Fri, January 05, 2024
Fasting, Daniel Fasts, Sugar Fasts and an Eternal Perspective
It's January so everyone's talking about fasting! Churches are doing corporate fasts, Organizations are running sugar fasts. People have cleared out their pantries of all foods that aren't legal on the Daniel Fast and stocked their fridges with vegetables they'll only ever eat in January. Today, Heather digs into fasting. Is fasting good? Should we be fasting? What is the purpose of fasting? Heather challenges listeners with the real purpose of fasting and offers cautions for those who have a history with eating disorders or disordered eating who try to fast. Heather also challenges listeners with the truth of scripture in regards to the Daniel Fast. Heather takes a deep dive into the story of Daniel and what happened when Daniel and his friends refused to eat the king's rich food. Why did they do it? What was their purpose in fasting from these foods? What happened to their bodies when they fasted? Heather looks at the surprising truth of scripture that reveals how their fast actually made them "fatter in the flesh." Here's the episode Heather referenced with Amy Carlson from last year: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/should-i-fast-if-i-had-an-eating-disorder-a-look-a Heather ends the episode by encouraging listeners to have a vision for their lives that is bigger than themselves and their bodies. Here are some of the hot topics from today's episode: The Spiritual Reasons for Fasting The Daniel Fast Sugar fasts The one question you need to ask yourself before you fast or while you're fasting Should people with eating disorders or a history of an eating disorder fast? How we can serve and honor God through fasting and other spiritual disciplines. Learn more about Heather's brand new book, the 40-Day Body Image Workbook or grab the facilitator's guide here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Learn more about the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and group coaching program here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 02, 2024
Three New Year's Challenges for Christian Women with Body Image Issues
It's a New Year! In this episode, host Heather Creekmore offers three challenges to encourage and inspire you to become healthier and more beautiful in the ways that matter the most to eternity. Heather explores Oprah Winfrey’s weight loss journey, the WW president’s apology that ushered in their new programs to sell weight loss drugs in addition to their program, and more. Heather encourages listeners to think about health and beauty in a more holistic way and offers practical tips that are easy to implement now and all year long. Here are your three challenges: Make your body goals about something more than your weight. Make your life about something more than your body. Make your heart about Jesus, not body change. Here are resources mentioned in today’s show (This list includes affiliate links, a small portion of any purchases will be paid to Compared to Who?) : New York Times op-ed on Oprah 40-Day Body Image Workbook Body Image Freedom Framework Online Course and Coaching Program Feed Yourself by Leslie Schilling Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole Heather’s episode on Ozempic. Dolly Parton and Judging Bodies Episode Heather’s interview with Leslie Schilling about Feed Yourself book Use the code: START40 to get started with Heather's online course or group coaching for just $40 in the month of January. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, December 19, 2023
Does How You Clean Your House for Company Connect to Your Body Image Issues?
Did you know that your body image issues and cleaning your house like a crazy person may be connected? If you've ever turned into a cleaning Gestapo before company came over or if you've ever stressed way too much over how your house looked, you may be surprised to find out that there's a body image connection. Getting free to be yourself in your body may help you become a little more chill when it comes to cleaning your house before guests stop by. If you've ever cleaned the house to make it look like "no one lives here," you'll be able to relate to this episode in many ways! Here are some other things we talk about as we discuss how cleaning house connects to body image issues: What image are we trying to protect or portray in our physical homes? Is this related to the image we're trying to present in our soul's earthly homes--our bodies? How control issues flare in similar ways between cleaning our homes and caring for our bodies. What is the difference between loving others and desiring to be approved of and accepted? The mistake we make when we over-clean is the same as when we over-exercise or over-restrict food from our bodies. Who are we trying to impress? Is image management playing more of a role in our lives than we know? The "Mirror Tilt"-- How we can learn to better manage our image and understand Jesus's desire for us as image bearers. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/KlYCi3QMj0o Read the original blog post that got so much attention here: How Cleaning Your House Like Crazy Connects to Your Body Image Homework: How have YOUR body image issues connected to how you care about the appearance of your home? Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Grab Heather's brand new book, the 40-Day Body Image Workbook and the freebies here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, December 15, 2023
Are You a Body Change or Body Improvement Addict?
Today Heather digs into the concept of addiction--but not in a way you might expect. Heather isn't talking about drugs or alcohol or other things that you expect people to be addicted to. Instead, she talks about being addicted to body change--of chasing idols of body image and beauty through controlling and manipulating her body size and shape. Heather breaks down some amazing teaching from Dr. Tim Keller on the topic of addictions and idolatry and she applies this teaching to our issues with food and body. The sermon she refers to throughout today's episode is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcuE9ewrwVw Here are some other topics talked about in today's episode, I'm a Body Change Addict: How the prophet Jeremiah shows us Israel's idolatry problem and how this applies to us today! The deep spiritual desire we have to find affirmation. What addiction really is and how it's a spiritual problem. The addiction cycle and what Jeremiah 2:27 teaches us about it. How we can see what our addictions are as we compare what bothers us versus what bothers are friends. How addictions can't be solved just through changing our bodies. The Biggest Loser definition of salvation . How scolding and shaming never helps us change anything. What does work to break us out of addiction and sin. How our priorities reveal our treasures and our idols. Tim Keller's solution of thinking about these issues as issues between our bridegroom (Jesus) and his bride (us) and how this changes things. Why we all want to look flawless. Take the 5 Day Email Challenge from Compared to Who? and join the friends list at www.Comparedtowho.me Learn more about Heather's new book The 40-Day Body Image Workbook and get the bonuses here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Connect with Heather or drop her a message at Heather@ compared to who.me. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, December 12, 2023
Enjoying Food & Being Thankful for Our Bodies: Lessons from 1 Timothy 4
Host Heather Creekmore teaches through 1 Timothy 4:1-10 and looks at the ways scripture instructs us to think about our food, pleasure, contentment, and even exercise. This passage includes instruction about how we think about and relate to food and our bodies and even exercise. As she examines these scriptures you’ll see the two concepts that Paul wanted to communicate to the young pastor Timothy and the concepts God still wants us to understand today are godliness and contentment. Listen and be encouraged to feel better about your body image and enjoy God's good gifts this Christmas season and all year long. Today Heather asks: Can we be content with his gifts? As we learn from 1 Timothy, the more we know him, the more we grow in godliness, and the more we enjoy his gifts-- even the gift of our body and food. Having a godly perspective, the training in godliness has so much to do with the way we relate to our bodies, our food, and others, in this life and is also good for the life to come. As you'll be encouraged to remember in today's encouraging show: Having an eternal perspective changes everything. Here are the verses read in today’s podcast: 1 Timothy 4:1-10 Luke 17:11-17 Here’s a link to Jeff White’s sermon on this topic: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-freedom-of-contentment-life-of-grateful-joy-10th/ Check out Heather’s new book, the facilitator's guide, and the walking workouts: The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: Hope for Christian Women Who’ve Tried Everything Episodes referenced in today's show: Here's a link to a podcast episode on contentment and Philippians 4:13 https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/can-philippians-4-13-be-my-weight-loss-or-fitness Episode to learn more about Heather's new book: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/the-body-image-solution-a-40-day-workbook-to-break Link to gluttony podcast episodes: Part 1 on gluttony: https://omnystudio.com/p/compared-to-who/clips/5775b9f0-b418-46bd-ad75-b02200dd7563 Part 2 on gluttony: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part Link to the <
Fri, December 08, 2023
Why is it Bad to Put Myself Down? What do I Say When a Friend Loses Weight? Ask Me Anything
In today's "Ask Me Anything" episode Heather tackles two listener questions: 1) What do I say when a friend loses weight (and everyone else is complimenting her)? 2) Why is it bad to put myself down? I'd never say anything mean about someone else's body, so what's the problem with criticizing mine and saying that I don't like the way I look? Heather tackles both of these questions from the perspective of what the Bible asks of us, that is: speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). She gives a hope-filled answer for the one who is struggling to know what to say after a friend loses a considerable amount of weight (through a risky method). Heather also offers some encouragement for how you can help the friend, family member, or co-worker who can't stop putting her self down. Don't forget to check out Heather's brand new book, "The 40-Day Body Image Workbook." If you purchase the book this month you can get the 5 free walking workouts to help you process the content. Plus, you can also download the facilitator's guide. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian Ready to go deeper in your journey to freedom next year? Sign up for coaching and Heather's online class: The Body Image Freedom Framework. https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, December 05, 2023
Dolly Parton and Judging Bodies
Today's thought-provoking new episode may challenge the way you think about judgment and body image. Host Heather Creekmore delves into the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, exploring how our tendency to judge others based on their bodies might not align with biblical principles. Heather emphasizes the impact of the judgments we make about others on our own body image struggles and the importance of recognizing our own idols of the heart as part of the impetus for judging others. Heather even tackles the topic of Dolly Parton's attention-getting half-time show performance on Thanksgiving, when she appeared in a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform. Should we judge Dolly? Or, should we simply say, "You do you, boo?" Or, is there another answer the Bible prescribes? Heather goes through Matthew 7, the Bible's most famous judging verses, and talks about what it means to judge others, and explains the Bible's very clear prescription on parameters around how we should judge. Heather examines the challenges of judging people's bodies by their size or appearance, shedding light on the dangers of complementing weight loss and the complexities of body size and health. Heather also talks about how our quickness to judge may reflect more work that needs to be done in our own hearts around the topic of body image. Heather explains, "Until I'm able to stop idolizing the woman that has the body size that I think would make me happy, until I'm able to stop judging others by their bodies and, really, therefore, objectifying them, it's really hard for me to break free from my own body image issues." Don't forget to check out Heather's brand new book, "The 40-Day Body Image Workbook." Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian Ready to go deeper in your journey to freedom next year? Sign up for coaching and Heather's online class: The Body Image Freedom Framework. https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Photo credits: Jeff Schultes, Shutterstock. DFree, Shutterstock Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, December 01, 2023
8 Ways to Be Healthy (Without a New Diet) During the Holidays
December is full of episodes and articles telling you how to "stay healthy" during the holidays by avoiding holiday treats or exercising more . . . but today Heather encourages you with easy, tangible ways you can feel healthier during the holiday season that have nothing to do with restricting food or stressing over your weight. In today's episode, Heather talks about the keys to being able to truly enjoy the holidays, feeling the meaning and significance of the Christmas season. Body image and food issues can keep us self focused and stressed, but there is a way to find the real peace, joy, and rest that Christmas should bring. Here are three fun facts shared on today's episode: 1) Heather shares a personal story of overcommitting and the lesson learned from not saying no to a task, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing rest and relaxation. 2) Heather encourages listeners to take a break from social media and engage in activities like reading or doing an advent devotional to combat the unhealthy comparisons on social media. 3) Heather emphasizes the importance of deep breathing and its positive impact on overall well-being, suggesting taking deep breaths both figuratively and literally to see positive results. Ready to start your body image freedom journey? Grab the 40-Day Body Image Workbook now available everywhere Christian books are sold. Learn more about this great resource to help Christian women with body image issues and BONUSES available for ordering this month here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian Looking for more personalized help in the new year? Consider joining the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and coaching program. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 28, 2023
The Body Image Solution: A 40-Day Workbook to Break Free from Food and Body Frustration
Today Heather gives a preview of her brand new book, The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: Help for Christian Women Who've Tried Everything . In this episode, Heather shares the inspiration behind her book and reveals some of its key features. Heather highlights the importance of body image freedom and provides insights on why it is crucial to break free from the chains of diet culture. In this episode, she takes listeners through each week of the workbook, offering a glimpse into the discussions surrounding faith, worth, influences, food, thought life, and so much more. Plus, Heather announces an exclusive bonus for listeners who purchase the book before the end of the year: Walking workouts to help you process the content. So, get ready to embark on a transformative journey towards body image freedom with Heather as your guide. Ready to grab your copy of Heather's brand new book or start reading the sample OR cash in on your pre-order bonus of the 5 walking workouts. Learn all the things here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/books-for-christian-women-body-image Use the code: THANKFUL and save 30% off the Body Image Freedom Framework Course and Coaching (groups start in January). Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Ready to grab a group of women in your church or a group of friends and go through the content together? Learn more about Heather's group guide to help you facilitate taking a group through the book, here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/group-guide-40-day-body-image-workbook Contact Heather if you need help with bulk orders: heather@comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 24, 2023
What if We Are Made to Crave Food? Featuring Kirsten Schmidt
Today Heather continues a conversation with Kirsten Schmidt, a certified eating disorder recovery coach, and the pair dive deeper into the topic of cravings and our relationship with food. Heather and Kirsten explore the common behavior of suppressing emotions and cravings and how we often misconstrue self-control as maintaining a thin body. We discuss the importance of self-control being about following Jesus and loving others, rather than purely focused on our physical appearance. Mindful eating is something many of us struggle with, as we are more accustomed to constant busyness than sitting down and truly enjoying our meals. However, we learn that incorporating gratitude into our meals can make all the difference. Kirsten shares three key insights for understanding cravings, including the need to stop dieting, change our perception of intuitive eating, and heal our body shame and fear of weight gain. Trusting our bodies and listening to its signals is crucial in interpreting our cravings accurately. Throughout the episode, we share personal stories and practical tips for understanding and responding to cravings in a healthy and nourishing way. We also address the shame and guilt often associated with cravings and explore the importance of affirming our cravings. Towards the end of the episode, we have some exciting announcements, including a special episode on holiday food cravings available exclusively for our Patreon sponsors. We also share information about a Black Friday sale on our body image freedom framework program, where you can make use of a discount code just for our listeners. Join us as we delve into the wonderful world of cravings and uncover the truth behind them. Whether you're struggling with food cravings yourself or simply curious about the psychology behind our relationship with food, this episode is for you. Learn more about Kirsten Schmidt and Totus Wellness here: https://www.totuswellness.com/ Learn more about Compared to Who? and Heather Creekmore here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Save 30% on the Body Image Freedom Framework Course or Course and Coaching combo here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Learn more about Heather's brand new book 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 .
Tue, November 21, 2023
What Do I Do About Cravings? Featuring Kirsten Schmidt
Heather Creekmore interviews Kirsten Schmidt, a health coach who shares her personal story of disordered eating and how she found healing. They discuss the misconceptions and societal messaging surrounding cravings, and the importance of listening to our bodies' signals. Kirsten also provides insights into the impact of chronic stress and anxiety on our overall health and the role of cravings in indicating nutrient deficiencies. This episode is a must-listen if you've ever felt guilty or frustrated with your cravings. Kirsten shares her personal journey towards peace with food and how her body may have been at it's least healthy (in terms of inflammation and chronic struggles) when she was following all the popular food "rules." Kirsten also offers valuable perspectives on building a healthier relationship with our bodies and nourishing them in a balanced way. Learn more about Kirsten and her health coaching services here: https://www.totuswellness.com/ Learn more about Heather, Compared to Who? and how to start on your body image freedom journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Are you ready to start a journey to body image freedom in the new year? Sign up for the Body Image Freedom Framework this week and save 30% using the code: THANKFUL Learn more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 17, 2023
Holiday Food, Mental Restriction, Satisfaction & Intuitive Eating
Heather Creekmore is joined by Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast for a holiday intuitive eating coaching call. The discussion delves into the principles of intuitive eating, including unconditional permission to eat and habituation with foods, as well as the impact of mental restriction and scarcity around food during the holidays. Heather shares her journey to food freedom and her recent experiences with intuitive eating, while Erin and Char provide insightful coaching on how to find satisfaction and delight in holiday foods and foods we eat all year round. Navigating the transition to Intuitive Eating isn't always neat or simple. Heather, Erin, and Char talk through how to navigate the messy nature of overcoming diet culture, embracing mistakes, and finding hope and freedom in our relationship with food. Connect with Erin & Char and check out their holiday membership here: https://www.intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Connect with Heather and find out more about her new book: 40-Day-Body-Image-Workbook-Christian Find out more about Heather's coaching and course and the 30% off Thanksgiving offer (code: THANKFUL) here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 14, 2023
Finding Freedom: Michelle Rayburn's Journey From Diet Culture to Freedom
Podcast host and author, Michelle Rayburn shares her powerful journey out of Diet Culture and into intuitive eating that may have been inspired by reading Heather's first book, "Compared to Who?" In this episode, Michelle discusses her struggles with body image and food, reflecting on the shame and pressure she felt for over 40 years. Michelle and Heather highlight the importance of addressing body image work before focusing on food changes. Michelle also delves into her personal journey with intuitive eating, emphasizing the freedom it brings and the ability to focus on relationships rather than food. The episode concludes with Michelle sharing her latest project, a bible study series called "Remade," which focuses on finding hope in difficulties and struggles. Other topics in this episode: Michelle's journey from restrictive plans and twice weekly weigh ins to finding freedom with food and comfort in the body God gave her. How Michelle's experiences with diet culture and beauty standards affected her relationship with faith and spirituality, and how did she navigate these challenges. How Michelle's decision to remove triggers such as wrong-sized clothes that were incentives for her body size contribute to her journey towards a healthier body image. How Michelle's shift away from diet culture and intuitive eating has positively influenced her relationships, daily life, and mental well-being. Learn more about Michelle Rayburn and her "Remade" Bible Study here: https://michellerayburn.com/ Learn more about Compared to Who?, the Body Image Freedom Framework online course and coaching program, AND the new 40-Day Body Image Workbook here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 10, 2023
Gen Z, Body Image, and Identity Issues Featuring Jessie Cruickshank
Today Heather continues her conversation with Jessie Cruickshank about Generation Z, their anxieties, the differences in the way they want to relate and the ways the learn, and how to help them with body image issues. Here are some key take aways from today's episode: Jessie explained how the, "Heart seeks belonging, brain seeks identity, spirit seeks truth. The rest of us isn't that interested in truth. But self loathing fractures the psyche." Jessie encourages each of us with the reality of our unique creation and that there is a purpose in way God did it. "Most think God made us wrong. We have bought into the lie that God made us wrong." Jessie explains. "But this pushes back against the identity he determined for us." Jessie also explained the importance of connection. "People don't know who they are because we become formed in relationships with others. We're not connected, we're not being formed as God created us to be formed. Accepting how God created us is foundational to us accepting our bodies." Jessie's new book, "Ordinary Discipleship" is based on the hero's journey and how applying the principles of the hero's journey can help us disciple. Ordinary people can make a disciple. Today we also discuss the importance of discipling this next generation and how it may be easier than expected. Jessie explains how Gen Z has an institutional mistrust, but they want mentors and they really want to learn. Research shows that the church has become an institution they struggle to trust. They're not sure if it's a safe place for them or their friends. For this reason, Jessie believes this generation needs nontraditional opportunities to find spiritual formation. What forms us are strong connections or highly emotional experiences. These things will be most formative for them. They want purpose, deeper discussions, and connections. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Yourbrainbyjess Visit her site at: www.Ordinarydiscipleship.com or at www.Whoology.co where you can get the free Gen Z info download by putting your info in the pop-up. Learn more about Heather's new book, the 40 Day Body Image Workbook: Hope for Christian Women Who've Tried Everything here: https://amzn.to/3Mrl94o (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase supports this ministry without any added cost to you.) Visit: www.improvebodyimage.com for more information on Heather's other books and programs. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 07, 2023
Understanding Gen Z Featuring Jessie Cruickshank
Today's show is a must-listen if you have children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or folks in your ministry who are a part of Gen Z categorized as those between the ages of 12 and 26. Heather's guest, Jessie Cruickshank, has been studying the older set of this generation since they were in middle school. She has a Master's degree from Harvard in experiential education and has studied how our brains work and learn best. Here's where we go today: Generation Z looks different: More than 50% are biracial. This is changing the way they see and think about race. And Gen Z doesn't mind having more than one "tag" in this arena. We talk about how this may change the standard of beauty in the future. This generation has more anxiety because they've grown up in a more volatile and complex world and they're aware of so many things that are completely out of their control. They have a "precocious" awareness of the world. Many of those Jessie interviewed admitted to crying at night. Gen Z has more social experiences through the phone, so they're missing the regulation impact of being with people in person. Gen Z doesn't prefer the "tech" solution. They prefer non-zoom in-person communications compared to tech connections. Be gracious for how awkward this may be for them, they haven't had enough practice here. The lack of agency Gen Z has felt, has led to a great desire to speak into things, as an agent, with an opinion that matters (even if there's still some maturing to do.) Asking them questions and offering options is the best way to invite them into the conversations. What does Gen Z dream about? You'll be amazed by Jessie's startling answer here. Learn more about Jessie on her website: https://www.whoology.co Connect with Jessie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/who_ologist/ Ready to stop stressing over body image? Check out Heather's brand new book: The 40-Day Body Image Workbook , available wherever Christian books are sold. (Amazon affiliate link. A tiny portion of your purchase (at no additional cost to you) will go to support this ministry.) Join the Body Image Freedom Framework Online Course and Coaching Program - Watch for a special discount coming soon! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 03, 2023
Ask Me Anything: Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Diet Talk, and What Good Can Come from Getting Fat?
Today Heather answers three listener questions related to body image and self-worth. These questions were taken from the Facebook group "Body Image for Christian Women" (Join anytime and look for opportunities to submit your questions!) Heather's first question today tackles the issue of when you "arrive" on your body image journey, if you finally stop hating your body. The listener asks if there's a certain point you reach when you either decide that you love your body or decide that your body doesn't matter. The second question today hits the topic of BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) and what to do about it. Heather has addressed this topic before in this episode here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-stomach-or-other-body-parts/ Heather also addresses a question about how to respond when others make comments about dieting, body size, looks, or other people's bodies. Finally, Heather tackles a question about what good could possibly come from gaining weight or getting fat. Heather delicately approaches the issue to encourage the listener that God can use all things for his good, even that! Want to learn more about Heather's new book, the 40-Day Body Image Workbook? Learn more here: https://amzn.to/3SmjuRh (Amazon affiliate link - tiny portion of purchase through this link supports this ministry) Learn more about group coaching or the new Body Image Freedom Framework online course: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 31, 2023
Wise Investments: How Money Stewardship Connects to Body Stewardship
This thought-provoking episode of "Compared to Who?" explains the connections between being a good "steward" of our money and the stewardship of our bodies. Looking at Matthew 6, Heather answers a listener's question: How can I know what it means to be a good steward of my body when it's so easy to believe diet culture's definition of health and stewardship? Here are three key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ We can learn to focus on eternal investments: The passage in Matthew 6 reminds us that our focus should be on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first rather than getting caught up in worrying about material possessions. Investing in things that will last for eternity is more valuable than earthly wealth. This applies to our bodies. They will die one day. So, how do we invest them well, here on earth, without getting caught up in trying to make them last (or avoid aging) forever? 2️⃣ Stewardship of our bodies may not be as complicated as we've made it to be. While the Bible doesn't specifically lay out rules for taking care of our physical bodies, we can extrapolate from scripture that we are to care for them as we are to care for other good gifts God gives us. But this doesn't mean prioritizing health, fitness, weight, or beauty goals, above the pursuit of godliness and holiness. 3️⃣ Beware of misplaced priorities: If at any time "stewarding" our bodies leads us to shift our focus away from God and his eternal purpose or keeps us tied to earthly priorities and agendas, we can be pretty sure that we're no longer stewarding but idolizing. Stewardship will never requires us to make our bodies a priority over loving God and others or pursuing God's purpose and plan for our lives. In other words, if you're too busy "stewarding" your body to have time to use your spiritual gifts, then you're no longer stewarding it well. Listen to Heather's previous episode about money and body image connection here: Money, Body Image, Stewardship, Hoarding and All the Connections Ready to learn more about the Body Image Freedom Framework Online Course and Coaching Program? Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 27, 2023
I Didn't Know I Had an Eating Disorder: Featuring Christie of Rock Recovery
"The behaviors and information were the problem, my body was trying to help!" Christie Dondero Bettwy Heather Creekmore is joined today by Christie Dondero Bettwy, the executive director of Rock Recovery, an organization dedicated to helping those struggling with eating disorders. Heather and Christie dive deep into their personal experiences with eating disorders, sharing their journeys from struggling to recognizing and seeking help. They discuss the barriers that individuals without financial resources face when it comes to accessing treatment and the importance of organizations like Rock Recovery, which offer specialized and affordable help. Throughout the episode, Heather and Christie explore various aspects of eating disorders, such as body image, coping skills, the role of restrictions in binge behavior, and the impact of societal messages on our relationship with food. They also touch on the intersection of faith and recovery, sharing their own spiritual experiences and how these have played a vital role in their healing. With honesty and vulnerability, Heather and Christie challenge the misconceptions surrounding eating disorders, emphasizing the significance of clinical care, community support, and taking small steps forward in the recovery journey. They offer practical tips for handling triggering situations and assertively advocating for one's needs. Here's more about Christie: Christie has served for nearly a decade as the Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a DC-based nonprofit that helps clients and communities overcome disordered eating by combining clinical and spiritual care. Having experienced full recovery herself, she is passionate about spreading the message that complete freedom from disordered eating is possible and helping remove barriers that keep people from experiencing it. She is an active speaker and shares her story with organizations and media outlets across the country. While a true city girl at heart, Christie now resides in the suburbs of Washington, DC with her husband, Ryan. Rock Recovery holiday program begins in November! Connect with Rock Recovery or learn more: www.rockrecoveryed.org Facebook: Rock Recovery, ED, Instagram: Rock Recovery or get a free consult on their website. Connect with Compared to Who? here: www.improvebodyimage.com Find out more about the Body Image Freedom Framework Course and Coaching program here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 24, 2023
Is Your Body Storing Trauma? The Biology of Trauma with Dr. Aimie Apiagan
Heather talks with Dr. Aimie Apiagan, MD, MS, MPH, a medical doctor who has committed her life's work to studying how trauma impacts our physical bodies. In today's show, Dr. Aimie shares her own experiences with trauma, revealing patterns of disordered eating and the connection between trauma and how our bodies respond. Dr. Aimie offers a helpful and understandable definition for trauma as experiences that overwhelm us. She discusses how often we store these experiences away for future review yet never get back to processing it and the toll this "storing" of the traumas has on our bodies. Throughout the conversation, the hosts stress the importance of understanding and healing trauma, particularly for individuals struggling with body image issues. Also covered in this episode: *Why women may turn to over-exercising or specifically to running when there is unprocessed trauma. *How Dr. Aimie sees how she used food in childhood to cover for her traumatic experiences she couldn't recognize or understand. *Why talk therapy alone is not enough to fully heal trauma. *How health symptoms can sometimes be related to unprocessed or stored trauma. *Why many people believe they're just battling stress but they could be battling stored trauma. Learn more about Dr. Aimie and her work here: https://www.traumahealingaccelerated.com Connect with Compared to Who? or learn more about coaching and online course options here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Save $50 off the Body Image Freedom Framework course by using the code: PODCAST Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 20, 2023
Could Your Body Image Issues Connect to ADHD? Featuring Dr. Tamara Rosier
Today Heather has a fascinating discussion with Tamara Rosier, PhD about the connections between ADHD and body image issues and eating disorders. Heather explores this topic as an extension of personal research she's been doing about her own undetected ADHD type symptoms and traits. Dr. Rosier walks Heather through several ways that ADHD connects and may contribute to body image issues and eating disorders including: *How the ADHD (neurodivergent) brain operates from the limbic system instead of the prefrontal cortex, making our bodies stay in a "fight or flight" response, which makes us constantly feel threatened or unsafe. *How ADHD often is found in high functioning women. *How ADHD can make us perfect victims for narcissists. *How Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria connects to body image issues and potential eating disorders or disordered eating. *Why the hyper vigilance of the ADHD brain may cause us to overdo it in exercise. *Why the neurodivergent may experience the feelings of being "all or nothing" - Either working too hard/overworking or doing nothing at all. *How ADHD responses are similar to trauma responses, though some have both operating at same time. *Why being curious about what's going on in your brain is helpful. Learn more about Dr. Tamara Rosier and her book, "Your Brain's Not Broken" here: https://www.tamararosier.com/ (Amazon affiliate link) Ready to get free from your body image issues? Learn more about the Body Image Freedom Framework group coaching and online course. Choose just to do the 12-module course online or add some coaching along the way. Find out more here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 17, 2023
The Role of Spiritual Maturity in Healing Our Body Image Issues Featuring Laura Acuna
Today Heather is back with speaker, author, and coach, Laura Acuna to talk about the role spiritual maturity plays in healing body image issues. Laura and Heather talk about how hard and necessary it is to separate the lies we hear from the truth of scripture. They talk about how scary it can feel to trust God with our bodies and how it's okay to tell the Lord when we feel afraid to let go. Laura also talks about "little girl thinking" on how recognizing how much little girl thinking she had has helped her mature and find real freedom in Christ. She also talks about how important it is for us to know we are "okay" and how we can only, really, find that kind of "shalom" (peace in the midst of chaos) when we are seeking Christ alone for our "okayness." You'll be encouraged and challenged from this engaging conversation. Learn more about Laura Acuna here: https://laura-acuna.com/ Start reading Laura's book, Still Becoming, here: https://amzn.to/3RKgzBM (Amazon affiliate link) Connect with Compared to Who? and check out the Body Image Freedom Framework Online Course and Coaching program here: www.improvebodyimage.com (Save $50 using code: PODCAST) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 13, 2023
Freedom Has Nothing to Do With The Number on the Scale Featuring Laura Acuna
ather interviews Laura Acuna an author, speaker, and coach who helps women find freedom from body and food shame. Laura shares her story, how she gained one hundred pounds as a middle schooler, and how she battled weight and food shame for decades before God took her on a path to freedom. Some of the highlights from today's show include: Laura's description of the "profile" of a woman who battles with food. Laura's candid retelling of the hard parts of her body image and food journey. How Laura knew she had finally found food freedom. Why Laura believes it's hard for women to get help in this arena. What Laura has observed from her own journey and the journeys of others about the connection between weight loss and body image freedom. You'll be encouraged and challenged from this engaging conversation. Learn more about Laura Acuna here: https://laura-acuna.com/ Start reading Laura's book, Still Becoming, here: https://amzn.to/3RKgzBM Connect with Compared to Who? and be a part of the Body Image Freedom Framework course and coaching program. Learn more here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 10, 2023
What is Health Podcast? The History of BMI, Ideal Weights, Bathroom Scales, and Food Trends
One of the biggest obstacles women who are battling body image face is the pressure from society to meet a standard of health that is evidenced by one's appearance. Today, Heather takes a deep dive into all things "health." This is part one of an hour-long talk available through the Body Image Freedom Framework Course or available to contributors to the Compared to Who? show. For more information on the course or to donate to Compared to Who? visit: www.improvebodyimage.com or donate directly here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/offers/29mL4jyz/checkout Today Heather explores the history behind concepts that are commonplace to us. We sometimes forget that concepts like "health" (as we mean it today) and even "ideal weight" have only been around for a hundred years. People didn't have scales in their homes until the 1920s. People didn't know how much they were "supposed" to weigh until the 1940s and 1950s. The diet industry began to flourish shortly thereafter (in the 1970s and 80s), and since then we've been on a wild roller coaster chasing the "what's healthy" food trends. (Remember, in 1988 you were healthy by eating Special K cereal. In 1992, you were healthy by avoiding fats. Then in 2022, you were healthy by eating Keto fat "bombs"). Come on a journey through the history of health, BMI, weight standards and food rules as a reminder that the only real truth we have that never changes is God's truth. **Listen to the second part of this hour long session that includes thoughts about exercise and the history of exercise, the social determinants of health, and how to apply scripture to our thinking around health. To hear the second part of this episode where we explore what scripture has to say about these topics, visit: www.improvebodyimage.com and support the show or sign up for the self-paced Body Image Freedom Framework course. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 06, 2023
Fantasies, Ideals, and Learning About Our Core Needs Feat. Travis Stewart, LLC
Today Heather chats with Travis Stewart. Travis revisits the "core desires of the heart" that we discussed in a previous episode before digging into today's topic: Fantasy. Travis explains how we put baggage with fantasy, but how imagination is a God given gift and how we may be able to use it to help understand ourselves better. In 2009, an Australian University, they studied the "thin ideal" and how it affects the women who see these images. Travis explains what this study found when the women were asked to compare themselves to these images and asked to fantasize that they are the women in the images. Comparison led to worse body image, but those who fantasized had a different and surprising outcome. Travis explains how it's not that we just want a "better body" but that we want what getting that "better body" will give me... how will it make me feel. Travis continued to explain how using an ideal image exercise can help us find what we're really longing for underneath our body image issues. Fantasy can teach us a lot about our unmet needs, our strategies, and our longings, and this can lead us to Jesus. We can ask what we are running from, and what we are running towards and get curious about both of these things. They also talk about "taking thoughts captive" and what that really means to us as Christians. He challenges us to dig into our stories and ask ourselves questions. Heather asks how we can feel safe while being curious, and Travis gives a great response. Travis shares the " Litany of Humility" and how it has helped him to pray it every day. Travis gave a parting assignment to you. Here's the task: Travis gave a parting assignment to you. Here's the task: What does your ideal body look like? Why are you focused on some features but not others? What's the meaning behind the size or features of your perfect body? Who would notice you? What would the perfect day be like? What does that teach you about yourself and your wounds and longings? Don't have a judgmental stance - just be curious! Email Heather (Heather@comparedtowho.me) with what you learned if you need someone to share it with! Learn more about Travis Stewart here: https://wtravisstewart.com or www.reflective prayer.com Season 7, Episodes 25 & 26 - Listen to Travis Stewart's Episodes and his Three Chairs Model Learn more about Heather's new body image course and coaching program at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at
Tue, October 03, 2023
Is It Okay to Track Food With Intuitive Eating? Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Today Heather chats with the hosts of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast, Erin Todd and Char Lee Haze, about food tracking, trying to track food for weight loss, and how this concept aligns with Intuitive Eating. Heather talks about feeling more stable in her body now than she did when she was thinner, but how she wrestles this desire to incorporate some of the principles she learned in her dieting days to help her organize her eating today. Is there a place for planning and tracking in Intuitive Eating? What's the heart behind it? What's the goal? If you're able to separate food choices from morality, this may work for you. But, if your goal is different, this practice may not be super helpful. Heather also shares what happened when she tried Noom and started to try food-tracking again and how quickly she was tempted to go back to chasing a "shiny object" of freedom through weight loss. Heather also shared how they kept giving her free months but how difficult it was to finally cancel. Char suggests an excellent app for those used to tracking their food called: Peace with Food created by friend of the Compared to Who? podcast, Amy Carlson. They also talk about how tracking can be different from needing to control or needing a method to cope from past trauma. If you need to follow the "thing" there are options for you. Listen to the wisdom Char and Erin share with Heather today. Char answers Heather's question: How do you know if you're disconnected from your body? Erin encourage us to be kind and curious as we think about our bodies and food habits. Anxiety and depression around body issues leave when you find humility and stop trying to convince everyone you're perfect. Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women at www.intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Ready for more help with your body and food issues? Check out the new Body Image Freedom Framework course. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 29, 2023
Can Philippians 4:13 Be My Weight Loss or Fitness Inspiration Verse?
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Do you have Philippians 4:13 memorized or on a Christian t-shirt. Have you recited it before the big test or the big game? Have you used it to be your weight loss or fitness goal motivation verse? If you have, no shame or blame here. But, today Heather tackles what Philippians 4:13 is really trying to teach us. It's a message in contentment. It's a passage that reveals our struggle with covetousness, and it's a verse that encourage us that we can be strong in finding satisfaction in Christ alone, whether or not we've achieved our personal goals. Take a listen to Heather talk about this tricky passage and often mis-used scripture verse and then let us know what you think. Drop Heather a line at heather@ compared to who.me or leave a 5 star review of the show if you loved it! Are you ready for more help on your body image journey? The Body Image Freedom Framework online course is now open! We started group calls this week, but it's not too late to add the group coaching (with unlimited personal support) option. Learn more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/course-only and you can save $50 this week with the code: PODCAST Want to listen to the original Tim Keller sermon that inspired Heather's talk today: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-freedom-of-contentment-2-10th-6334/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 26, 2023
Have we Christianized Disordered Eating? Featuring Amy Carlson, RD
Today, Heather continues her conversation with eating disorder expert and registered dietitian Amy Carlson. Amy and Heather delicately address some "Christianized" messages around binge eating and dieting. Amy shares how she helps women who are struggling with certain foods to have a "with God" experience with their food in order to find freedom from shame. One of Amy's main points for today is that food is not the real enemy. In fact, we have a real enemy and he always tempts us to choose ourselves over God. That can be elevating food to a "too important" position in your life, but it can also be elevating your desires for your body size and shape and placing dieting or fitness lifestyle above everything else. Heather and Amy look at some of the "Christianized" messages they've seen to "help" women in their relationships with food and find some that are troubling. Can we rightly compare what happened with Eve's bite of the apple in the Garden of Eden to our indulgence in foods we believe we shouldn't eat or foods that aren't on our plan? Are we somehow trying to please God by doing "better" than Eve did? Amy and Heather dig in to what happens when we use the Bible out-of-context to support our own food theories. Check out the exercise non-responders data in this episode. Many of us feel shame around food, but the only thing that truly covers our shame is Jesus, not our great ability not to eat certain foods. Listen and share this episode with a friend. Listen to part one of this interview here: A With-God Approach to Eating . Ready for some help and encouragement on your body image journey? Check out the body image freedom framework online course here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/course-only There's still time to be part of the Group Coaching program too! Email Heather at Heather@ compared to who (dot) me for more details! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 22, 2023
A "With God" Approach to Food and Eating Featuring Amy Carlson
Today Heather is joined by one of her favorite guests, eating disorder expert, dietitian, and biblical truth seeker, Amy Carlson. Amy and Heather dig into some of the messaging around food that they've observed floating around from Christian content creators. Today, the duo gets real and analyzes some of these messages. With an MS in Nutrition and more than twenty-five years of experience working with women with eating disorders and disordered eating, Amy challenges us to think about God as being with us on our eating journey instead of against us. A lot of the messaging around food coming at Christians casts food as "temptation" or "evil," but today's conversation looks at how God really intended us to relate to food and why demonizing food is not the best way to find a healthier relationship with it. Instead, we can invite God into this space and into our relationship and struggles with food. Heather and Amy also discuss the dangers in using Bible verses and stories to support disordered eating habits. Amy vulnerably shares how scripture played a role in her own journey into an eating disorder and how confusing and dangerous it can be to miss the context and goal of God's word and verses like, "commit your ways to the Lord and your plans will succeed" and twist it into a message of disordered eating. You're going to need to listen to this one twice! Get ready for a thought-provoking episode that just may challenge you to think about your relationship with food in a different way. Whether you've had a restriction-based eating disorder, or wrestling binge eating, if you've dieted all your life, or never been sure of how to handle food in a God-honoring way, this episode will encourage you. If it does, please leave a review. Learn more about Amy Carlson and the Peace With Food app at helloPeacewithfood.com Listen to Heather's other episodes with Amy Carlson about our relationship with food here (some are mentioned in today's show): How to Really Feel Better in Your Body Featuring Amy Carlson, RD Letting Go of “Good” and “Bad” Food Labels Featuring Amy Carlson , RD Is Self Control Really the Solution to Our Food Issues? Featuring Amy Carlson, RD Do I Need More Self-Control to Stop Eating? Feat. Amy Carlson, RD <a href="https://comparedtowho.me/amy-carlson-rd-shares-what-to-do-if-you-need-to-lose-weight/" data-type="
Tue, September 19, 2023
Reclaiming Your Stolen Identity: Spiritual Warfare Part 3
Did you know that one of the key ways we experience spiritual warfare is in the fight for our identity in Christ? The enemy works very hard to distract us by convincing us to find identity in other places or things and, in that way, he steals our identity. If you've ever felt caught up in being recognized for your looks or size, you may have experienced it! Grounded in biblical truths, today's episode explores the dangers of attaching our identity to external factors, and the culture's push for us to have more pride as the 'solution' to our struggles. We also discuss self-love versus self-denial and question whether or not the hot topic of self-love is compatible with Christian beliefs. Hear practical advice on how shifting our focus from self-centeredness and comparison to genuine love, appreciation, and gratitude for what God has done for us can unlock genuine and lasting freedom. We also discuss the battle to love others as ourselves as one of biggest way we experience the challenges of walking in the spirit, daily! Are you ready to get free this Fall? Sign up for the new Body Image Freedom Framework online course and coaching program here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Interested in the Fearfully Made conference in Dallas? Learn more here: in-his-image-body-image-conference-for-teen-girls-and-women-2023 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 15, 2023
Spiritual Warfare & Body Image Issues Part 2
In today's episode, we continue discussing the existence of evil and the spiritual battles we face daily including our battle with body image issues. As believers, Heather stresses the importance of surrendering control to God and relying on His divine protection and using our authority in the name of Jesus to tell the enemy to flee. Throughout the episode, Heather addresses the concept of spiritual warfare, highlighting that as Christians, we cannot be demon-possessed if we believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit living inside us. However, she acknowledges that we can still experience oppression and encounter demonic activity around us. She discusses the devil's goal of stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10) and emphasizes the need to recognize and confront spiritual battles in every aspect of life. Drawing from Paul Tripp's teachings on Ephesians 6, Heather explains that the struggle is not against other people but against the demonic world. She challenges listeners to approach life as if they are at war and to rely on God's truth and authority. She asserts that these struggles are not solely physical but also spiritual, highlighting the battle between God's truth and Satan's deception. Heather shares her own struggles with body image and emphasizes that the devil is the deceiver. Here's the Tim Keller sermon Heather references: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000625372146 For more in-depth guidance on body image and spiritual struggles, sign up for Heather's course and coaching program, The Body Image Freedom Framework. Remember, you are not alone in your battle, and God's love and truth are always available. Learn more about the Body Image Freedom Framework: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Learn more about the In His Image conference this October in Dallas: https://www.wonderfullymadenutritioncounseling.com/events/in-his-image-body-image-conference-for-teen-girls-and-women-2023 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 12, 2023
Exposing the Enemy's Scheme: Unraveling the Spiritual Warfare Behind Body Image Issues
Today we dive deep into the realm of spiritual warfare, exploring the dark forces that wreak havoc on our body image. It's time to blow the enemy's cover. It's time for him to be exposed in the arena of what is happening with how we think about and treat our bodies. Host Heather Creekmore shares her own experience of believing a lie in elementary school that her legs were too big. Heather explains that she has received numerous messages from others who have also believed the same lie about their bodies. She suggests that the enemy doesn't need creativity to instill negative beliefs in people. Acknowledging the messiness and scariness surrounding the topic, Heather emphasizes that we cannot ignore the presence of spiritual darkness related to body image. Throughout the episode, Heather encourages listeners to understand that body image and food struggles are not mere physical battles but spiritual battles. Join us as we unravel the lies that have threatened to define our worth and discover the powerful weapons at our disposal to combat these spiritual attacks. We uncover the truth behind our struggles and find hope in the unshakable love and acceptance of Jesus. Scriptures to read from this episode: Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Revelation 12 Ready for body image freedom? Check out our signature Christian body image online course and coaching program: https://calendly.com/heather-458/podcast-recording-clone Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 08, 2023
Cheerleaders, Esther, and Beauty Featuring Tasha Calvert
Today Heather talks to author, speaker, and Bible teacher, Tasha Calvert about the ways we all struggle with beauty and body, how those words we heard in middle school can hurt, and about the subtle trauma of those early rejections. Heather and Tasha discuss how neither of them made the cheerleading team, and what they associated with that as teenagers. They also have an enlightening and encouraging conversation around the book of Esther. We've too often painted Esther as the Bible's Cinderella story, but there's so much more to it than that. Tasha gives three interesting facts that most overlook about this rich book of the Bible. Tasha hosts the Digging In podcast and serves as the Global Director of Women's Ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Connect with Tasha at: https://tashacalvert.com or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/tistashcalvert Find Prestonwood Bible studies and other content at YouVersion, Rightnow media, or on their You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@prestonwoodwomensministry1479 Are you ready to break free from body image issues? Check out the brand new Body Image Freedom Framework Signature Course and online coaching program. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Are we email friends yet? Sign up for the free, 5-Day body image challenge at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 05, 2023
I Just Want to Feel Okay in My Body: Finding True Confidence
Today, Heather digs into this common sentiment, "I just want to feel good" or "I just want to feel okay" about my body. She explores how this is a struggle for so many women who are wrestling to feel confident about their bodies. They don't want to look like supermodels, they just want to feel okay to be in the skin they're in. But what is this desire of having a body that you can feel good in or good about? Could the core of this issue be something you'd never expect? Heather digs into an unusual biblical concept, that is, boasting. Not that we want to tell other people that we are great, but instead, perhaps we want our bodies to tell our story for us. Do we want our bodies to tell everyone who sees us that we know how to take care of our bodies well? That we know the secrets to fitness or weight loss? Or, that we are just really good at making our bodies look their best? It's a concept few of us have spent a lot of time thinking about it. Heather walks through some fantastic teaching on the topic of boasting taken from Romans 3:27-31 and shows us how we can find a place to boast that is far better than the appearance or weight of our bodies. Anything you look at and say, "This is where my value is," can become an idol. Listen, be encouraged and exhorted today. Listen to the Tim Keller sermon that Heather references here: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/boasting-and-faith/ Ready to jump into body image coaching and the brand new body image online course: The Body Image Freedom Framework? Learn more or sign up here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 01, 2023
Are You Looking for an "After"? How to Find True Body Image Freedom
Today, Heather shares how to have an "after" story. Chances are, you've seen before and after pictures. Weight loss, fitness, and supplement marketers love to use before and after pictures to show you a picture of the "freedom" their plan offers after you use their products and change your body. But, the truth is, the only "after" story that lasts goes much deeper than changing our bodies. The only after story that stands the test of time is one that happens in our hearts. And, only Jesus can do that work. In today's episode, Heather is sharing the "after" stories of some of her coaching clients who have found freedom they never knew or believed was possible through doing the heart work of body image coaching. Heather also shares how you can be a part of her brand new Christian body image coaching and online course called: The Body Image Freedom Framework. In today's episode, ten different women share how coaching with Heather changed their lives. If you're tired of being stuck in body image issues and ready for freedom, don't wait. Join this program today. Registration is now open!! Group coaching sessions begin in late September. There is an opportunity to enroll in individual coaching year-round. Find out more at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching (Ministry leader or pastor's wife? Reach out to Heather at: Heather @ Comparedtowho. me and ask about discounted rates for women's ministry leaders.) Want to hear more of Heather's interview with clients Kim and Angela? Listen to this full episode where they share their stories here: Body Image Coaching Changed Our Lives: With Clients Angela & Kim or at: https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching-changed-our-lives-with-clients-angela-kim/ Are you on the Compared to Who? friends email list? If not, join now to find out about special savings and other opportunities to participate in the new course and coaching programs: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 29, 2023
Redefining Beauty Featuring Melissa Johnson
Melissa Johnson joins Heather today to discuss the concept of beauty and how it can be redefined. Melissa shares her personal journey of simultaneously undergoing eating disorder treatment and spiritual formation classes, which prompted her to question societal beauty standards and discover true beauty. Through her own experiences and encounters with God, Melissa began to see the broken nature of cultural beauty and how it disintegrates individuals. Melissa highlights the mind-blowing beauty and expansive love of God revealed in his Creation and creations. True beauty, she explains, integrates and draws individuals towards wholeness and unity. To see and appreciate such beauty, Melissa suggests adopting a posture of presence and using our senses to notice the world around us. The conversation delves into Melissa's personal experience with the harmful beliefs around food, body image, and worth as a woman that she had to undo through intensive treatment. She emphasizes the importance of stopping objectification and embracing our bodies as integrated parts of who we are. We also cover touch on societal pressures, shame, and the impact of beauty standards on individuals' sense of self-worth and belonging. The toxic nature of these standards, perpetuated by media saturation and social media, leads to comparison, competition, and disconnection from our own bodies. Check out Melissa's new book or connect with Melissa at: https://www.impossible-beauty.com Learn more about Melissa's new book: "Soul Deep Beauty: Fighting for our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless" https://amzn.to/47diXWT (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase supports this ministry) Learn more about Compared to Who? coaching opportunities and the brand new signature coaching program and online course here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 25, 2023
How's Your Relationship With Wine? Featuring Christy Osborne
Today Heather interviews Christy Osborne who shares her personal journey with disordered eating and drinking. Christy discusses how she struggled with restrictive eating and alcohol dependency, especially during her time in politics and in the church. She opens up about her decision to remove alcohol from her own home and the impact it had on her relationship with her husband. Christy also explores the reasons why people turn to alcohol, the difficulties of moderation, and the societal pressure to drink. She emphasizes the importance of grace, compassion, and leading by example when addressing someone's drinking habits. Christy touches on her upcoming book, "Love Life Sober," which focuses on finding freedom from alcohol in 40 days and includes biblical truth, coaching tips, and personal stories. This episode delves into the complexities of drinking and emphasizes the path toward freedom and mental peace. Connect with Christy Osborne here: https://www.lovelifesober.co.uk Connect with Compared to Who? and learn more about the brand new group coaching and online course here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 22, 2023
Body Image, Sex, & Marriage Featuring Francie Winslow (Part 2)
This is part two of an interview with the amazing Francie Winslow, a bold woman of God who hosts a podcast about sex in marriage! Go listen to part one of this interview first before you dig into today's great show! Heather and Francie cover a lot of ground today, talking about what to do if body image issues are impacting your sex life. Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode: Sex is connected to our entire life story: It's not just a disconnected act, but rather an opportunity for naked vulnerability and acceptance, mirroring the love and grace found in the gospel. Let's shift the focus from the culture of pornography and physical pleasure to experiencing love and oneness, resulting in a life-giving and fulfilling sexual journey. Nourishing our bodies and souls: Our bodies are sacred and temples of God. Let's embrace them as vessels of God's spirit and recognize that pleasure and intimacy are God's provisions for healing and nourishment. Reclaim your body as something good that God created and see sex as an act of worship. Let's break the silence and stigma surrounding this important topic and create a healthy dialogue within our faith communities. Overcoming challenges: Whether you're struggling with vaginismus, dealing with the aftermath of purity culture, or seeking to strengthen your connection with your partner, there is hope and support available. There are practical resources available to help address and heal sexual challenges. It's time to understand the spiritual connection to our bodies for breakthroughs in our sexual journeys in marriage. Connect with Francie Winslow at: www.franciewinslow.com or listen to the Heaven in Your Home podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heaven-in-your-home/id1493541368 Connect with Heather and Compared to Who? and learn more about the upcoming course and coaching opportunities at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 18, 2023
Body Image, Sex, and Your Marriage with Francie Winslow
Francie Winslow of the Heaven in Your Home podcast joins Heather for a vulnerable, authentic, and helpful conversation about sex and body image issues. Francie opens up about her own struggles with feeling average and not measuring up to society's standards of beauty. Throughout the conversation, we explore the idea that true beauty lies in the confidence that comes from God alone, not from having the body of your dreams. Francie shares her own journey of discovering the importance of being receptive to marital intimacy and embracing her own sexual pleasure. We discuss the challenges women face in being receivers and offer practical advice for overcoming insecurities. It's a conversation filled with vulnerability, healing, and biblical insights. Connect with Francie Winslow and check out the Heaven in Your Home podcast here: https://franciewinslow.com Connect to Heather and Compared to Who? here and learn more about starting on your journey to body image freedom: www.comparedtowho.me or improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 15, 2023
Finding Hope in Suffering & Pain Featuring Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Heather talks to Dr. Michelle Bengtson, author and neuropsychologist, about suffering, grief, and pain. Their conversation takes a Gospel-soaked and hope-filled look at these tough topics and Dr. Michelle shares some of her experience and hard things she's walked through. Heather and Michelle talk about why it's so hard for us to believe that pain is a normal part of life, not something that we should shame ourselves about trying to fix (or not being able to fix). Jesus talks about suffering in the Bible, but few of us want to embrace that as part of our theology. Gulp! Heather and Michelle also apply these topics to body image and eating disorder issues, looking at why we want to control food even more when things in our life seem chaotic, stressful, or painful. We talk about fielding the lies that we feed ourselves and cleaning up our thought lives (and slowing down enough to recognize the lies) and the importance of that to being able to handle suffering with the peace of God. Learn more about Dr. Michelle Bengtson's brand new book: The Hem of His Garment, Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms here: https://amzn.to/3Kp9fXr (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase supports this ministry). Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson at: www.drmichelleb.com Listen to other interviews with Dr. B here: Anxiety & Depression: Recognizing it feat. Dr. Michelle Bengtson and this one about mental health and body image issues: OCD, Narcissism, Eating Disorders, & Body Image Ready to learn more about Compared to Who? or start your body image freedom journey? Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 11, 2023
What is Your Body Holding? Featuring Alisa Keeton of Revelation Wellness
Today Heather interviews Alisa Keeton, founder of Revelation Wellness and author of a brand new book called, "The Body Revelation." Heather and Alisa talk about trauma, how our bodies hold on to and store trauma, and what we can do to find healing spiritually, emotionally, and in our bodies from past traumas of all kinds. Alisa shares her story and talks about how unpacking our past can help us live more free and more free in our bodies. Filled with Gospel truth and biblical wisdom, you'll love today's conversation about what we can do if our bodies are "keeping the score" and telling a story of past hurt or trauma that we didn't even recognize or know to acknowledge. Learn more about Alisa's brand new book here: (Amazon affiliate link, a tiny portion of your purchase goes to Compared to Who?) https://amzn.to/3OiibPx Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5 Day Body Image Freedom Challenge here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 08, 2023
Barbie, the Media, Body Image Issues and The Gospel
Today Heather tackles the topic of Barbie, the Barbie movie, and what other summer media can offer those of us struggling with body image issues. Heather outlines her history with thinking about Barbie and body image issues. Heather also shares her views on the new 2023 Barbie movie and what body image freedom themes and tie-ins she observed in the movie. Heather also talks about some other media out there right now including the powerful "Sound of Freedom" movie and a few television/streaming shows that are showing more women of diverse sizes and appearances. Coming soon: New signature course and group coaching program! Drop Heather a message to go on the list to be one of the first to find out all the details: heather@comparedtowho.me Ready to start your journey to body image freedom? Sign up for the FREE 5 Day Email Challenge. Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 04, 2023
Diet Culture in the Church: Featuring Leslie Schilling
Leslie Schilling returns for part two of an insightful and thought-provoking conversation. In this episode, Leslie and host Heather Creekmore discuss the challenging promises of diet culture and the importance of accepting and respecting diverse body types. They delve into the factors that influence weight, including medications, illnesses, and surgeries, and debunk the myth that body weight can be changed through willpower alone. The conversation takes a deep dive into the spread of diets like OPTAVIA and Gwen Shamblin's Weigh Down Workshop in churches, and the concerning trend of pastors and community members leading others towards these restrictive eating plans. Leslie reflects on her own journey from placing hope in diets to realizing that Jesus is the only rescue needed. The episode also explores the intersection of faith, health, and accessibility to nutritious food. Leslie highlights the privilege of easy access to grocery stores and acknowledges that not everyone has the same advantages. She challenges the notion that nutrition should be the sole focus of our relationship with God, reminding listeners that social determinants of health, trauma, and medications greatly impact one's well-being. Throughout the conversation, Leslie and Heather touch on various topics including shame, the objectification of women within Christian communities, the impact of purity culture, and the intergenerational transmission of body image issues and eating disorders. They also express excitement about Leslie's new book which tackles these issues in an unprecedented way and delves into the infiltration of diet culture in safe spaces like schools. Listeners are encouraged to question external controls and seek inner wisdom, as well as to challenge the messages of diet culture that pervade churches and places of worship. need for safe spaces that promote body acceptance and eliminate harmful messaging tied to worthiness. Ultimately, this conversation serves as a call to remove the lens of diet culture from our interpretation of biblical teachings and to prioritize loving well above arbitrary standards of appearance and perfection. Check out Leslie's brand new book: Feed Yourself available now on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/46ZVf0i (Amazon affiliate link*) Connect with Heather: www.improvebodyimage.com and find out if body image coaching is right for you! Learn more about Leslie at: www.leslieschlling.com Learn about our sponsor, Classical Conversations here: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 01, 2023
Unmasking Diet Culture: Featuring Leslie Schilling
Registered dietitian, sports nutrition expert, and baby-feeding expert Leslie Schilling is on today's show to talk about her journey to recognize and identify diet culture and the harm it's caused people of all ages and stages. Today Leslie shares her story-how she used to be the one doling out weight loss advice-but how through years of research and experience- she's come to a different perspective now. Leslie has a brand new book out that releases today podcast titled, "Feed Yourself" (**Amazon affiliate link, see below) that takes a biblical look at the messages of diet culture and how they've affected and harmed so many. In this show, hear Leslie talk about how diet culture has crept into the "safe places" in society. From our schools, doctor's offices, and churches we've learned to accept certain truths about food and our relationship with it that have damaged our bodies and our relationship with eating. Leslie also talks about how many of these messages don't align with what the Bible teaches about eating and food. Listen and subscribe to find out how you can break free from the shaming and harmful messages of diet culture to truly make peace with food and your body. Learn more about Leslie Schilling on her website: https://www.leslieschilling.com Considering homeschooling? Learn more about our sponsor, Classical Conversations, here: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Are you ready for some extra help in your body image journey? Connect with Heather at: www.improvebodyimage.com to find out more about your best next step to find freedom. **Amazon affiliate links allow a tiny portion of your purchase to go towards the ministry of Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 28, 2023
Don't I Need More Discipline Around Food? Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Is how we relate to food an area of our life that needs more discipline? This is the main topic of conversation today in Heather's Intuitive Eating Coaching call with the hosts of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast, Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel. Today, Char challenge Heather on the topic of discipline. They talk about what the heart and purpose behind discipline is and how this connects to eating and food. The conversation turns to what it means to trust your body to guide you and help you make food choices and how our natural instincts to relate in a healthy way to food have been co-opted and interrupted by dieting and the diet culture we live in. Char, Erin, and Heather discuss behavior modification and its use throughout the years as something that may have been harmful to this intuitive relationship with eating we were all born with. If you've never heard of Intuitive Eating before or if you're wrestling body image issues and are tired of trying every diet, intuitive eating may be for you. Listen to all of the Intuitive Eating coaching calls here: https://comparedtowho.me/tag/intuitive-eating/ Connect with Erin and Char-Lee here: www.intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Looking to homeschool? Learn more about Classical Conversations at www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Ready to break free from body image issues? Check out Heather's coaching options here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, July 25, 2023
Summer Replay: Remembering Who Formed Your Body Romans 9
Today's summer replay we go to Romans 9 to look at God’s sovereignty and your body and body image ! It’s tough to tackle one of the biggest, richest, and deepest passages of the Bible in such a short amount of time. But, today, Heather attempts to apply Paul’s wisdom about the sovereignty of God to our bodies and body image issues. If you’ve ever struggled with believing that God made you look the way you do on purpose, or that God can use you, just as you are in your body, for his purpose–you’ll want to listen to this. Here’s what we talk about in today’s episode about God’s Sovereignty and Your Body: **We dig into Romans 9 starting in verse 10 and landing in verse 23. **We concentrate on the question posed in Romans 9:20-21 about whether or not the clay as a right to ask the potter how and why he’s made it that way. **We look at how Romans 9 explains that God is the potter and how we are the clay. **We talk about how God created us on purpose, for a purpose, including the way our bodies look. **We dig into the concept of God choosing what kind of vessel we are and what we were made for. **We talk about the way to surrender back to God our bodies for the purpose He created us for. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Thinking about homeschooling? Learn more at www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 21, 2023
Summer Replay: Let's Talk About Esther's Beauty
Today we'll tackle Esther chapter 2 in about seven minutes (or 17 minutes...it's a full chapter!) Though Esther was beautiful, we often miss how, for Esther, beauty didn't lead to a fairy tale. Growing up in church, sometimes we've heard the story of Esther is presented as a rags-to-riches, inspirational tale, like the Cinderella story of the Bible. But the reality of Esther's story is much harder than that. And, though Esther had tremendous beauty-- she had beauty for a purpose. God gave her great beauty but that didn't make her life easy. Instead, it got her thrown into what we'd now call a form of slavery where she was used and tossed aside at the king's pleasure. She had no freedom or autonomy, even after she was named his queen. In this episode we talk about the reality that beauty doesn't always lead us to easy places. In fact, for Esther, it was quite the opposite. But, God gave her everything she needed to accomplish his purpose for her life--and that purpose was to save the Jewish people. Read the entire book of Esther after you listen for even greater insight into the story. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, July 18, 2023
Colossians 2: Does the New Testament Endorse Food Rules?
In today's summer replay, Heather looks at a passage of scripture in the New Testament where Paul talks about food rules. You may find it interesting how Paul encourages the church at Colossus not to take pride in their ability to follow rules (even food rules) because they are saved through the grace of Christ alone. Today, Heather looks at the passage in Colossians 2:16-23 . Read along as you listen to get a greater understanding for yourself of what this scripture has to say to us and our tendency to want to justify ourselves through our ability to follow all the rules! Want to learn more about Classical Conversations and homeschooling your children? Visit: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Ready for coaching? Visit: Improvebodyimage.com to learn more! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 14, 2023
God Has Compassion for Us, Forgetting Not His Benefits, Psalm 103
Today's quick summer replay episode spends 7 minutes in scripture taking a brief look at Psalm 103 and how it can encourage your body image and comparison struggles. Instead of waking up and cursing the mirror or the scale (or his life), David wakes up and says, "Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!" If you're looking for scripture to help with comparison and body image issues, this episode is for you! This passage has some rich truths for those of us who struggle with body image and comparison. There are reminders of God's benefits, reminders of his tremendous love for us, and reminders of why worship is so important. Follow along with the passage here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20103&version=ESV Connect with Compared to Who? or find out more about coaching here: www.comparedtowho.me Learn more about our sponsor, Classical Conversations: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, July 11, 2023
Are You Anxious About Food, Clothes, and Body? Matthew 6
In today's short, "7 Minutes of Scripture" replay we look at Matthew 6:25-34. This familiar passage in the Bible is where Jesus tells us not to worry. His instruction isn't generic. Notice, He tells us not to worry about a few specific things: food, drink, and clothing. What? Isn't this what this whole show is about? Body image fear? Here are a few key points about body image fear and fears around our food as we look at the instruction from this passage: We believe fear keeps us safe--safe from health issues or safe from negative opinions of others, but this is just one of fear's lies. Fear tells us that we need it to keep us safe, we need to stay "worried" about our bodies so we don't "let ourselves go." Fear sometimes looks like control and the fear of man (approval) so fear makes a triple play in the arena of body image and food. Dieting, food rules, restriction, control, and body image stress are all a prison where we sit in a cell with the door open. We can have freedom, we simply have to take steps of faith (they can be small) to get out. If you're ready to stop feeling afraid of all things related to your body image and your food, I hope you'll commit this passage to memory! Body image fear does not have to be your prison. Lay Down Your Body Image Fear Here's the text for Matthew 6:25-34 from the ESV (look it up for yourself so you can follow along). Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Be Anxious 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[ a ] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient
Fri, July 07, 2023
Do You Deserve to Wear Shorts? Unpacking Why We Don't Feel Worthy
Do you deserve to wear shorts? Today's summer replay was inspired by Mindy Pickens' brilliant post from a few years ago, "Do You Deserve to Wear Shorts?". In today's show, Heather Creekmore talks through this hot summer topic unpacking the question: What makes one "worthy" to wear shorts? Heather digs into why we get stuck believing that our legs must stay hidden inside jeans and leggings, even when the temperature soars. If you've ever worn pants to the beach or pool ... or if you've ever declined an invitation to an event because shorts would be expected-- this show's for you! Here are some things to check out if you like what you hear. Nick Vujicic ministries Staff Sergeant. Johnny Joey Jones leg's meme. Today's show is sponsored by Classical Conversations. To learn more about this great homeschooling program, visit: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more at www.comparedtowho.me or schedule a free ten minute coaching consultation! Are we email friends yet? Join the Compared to Who? email list and get the free, 5 day body image challenge. Join at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, July 04, 2023
Do You Long to Be Hot or Holy? Striving for Holiness in a World That Wants Us to Be Hot
Today's show is a replay of one of the most popular shows of last year. Even if you've already listened, it's a great reminder and encouragement for all of us to remember what it is we are truly called to pursue. Do you want to be hot or holy? Like me, you may struggle not to have your answer be: I want to be both! Yet pursuing a better body can often precede our priorities over pursuing Christ-likeness. Longing for beauty isn't something to be ashamed of. We've been programmed to believe that our value is based on our appearance or connected to how we look. It takes a lot of faith and trust in God to break free from the world's economy of beauty. On today's show, we talk about how shifting our greatest pursuit to holiness instead of the culture's definition of beauty can transform our lives and feel the freedom in Christ that we long for. If you struggle with wanting to be hot more than you want to be holy, today's show is for you! Here's where we go today as we discuss pursuing being hot or holy: How do we truly desire to be more like Jesus? How do we free ourselves from the mindset that an improved physical appearance gives us the most value? Does Hot or Holy have to be a choice? How do we focus on making our hearts more beautiful when culture tells us our greatest need is a better body? What does Jesus really ask of us in the arena of pursuing holiness? The Catholic Litany of Humility - and its amazing reminders of how to lay down our desires to pursue recognition, glory, praise and worship for ourselves in order to keep our focus on worshipping Jesus. Erin Todd's "A Former Dieters Prayer for Humility" - Erin does an amazing job re-writing the original to speak to each of the issues we face in the body image/dieting/wellness realm. Print it somewhere you can read it daily! Today's show is sponsored by Classical Conversations. Learn more about this great homeschool program at: https://www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but stil
Fri, June 30, 2023
The Peaceful Pursuit of Purpose: Featuring Rebecca George
Today Heather talks to her friend, author and podcast host Rebecca George. Rebecca is a pastor's wife, speaker, author, and podcaster who has been a runner most of her life. Today Heather and Rebecca talk about how Rebecca's relationship with running has taught her things about her body image and goal setting. They also discuss the pressures of social media, the importance of finding rest, and discovering one's purpose and calling. Heather and Rebecca share personal experiences and insights on how to navigate the pressure of social media and the importance of grace in the pursuit of self-discipline. Check out Rebecca's Etsy shop (with the cute earrings Heather mentioned), here: RadicalRadianceStore Listen to Heather's appearance on Rebecca's show here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/075-living-a-comparison-free-life-with-heather-creekmore/id1484726102?i=1000507700414 Check out Rebecca's podcast here: https://www.radicalradiance.live Check out her new book here: "Do The Thing" Book (Amazon affiliate link- a tiny portion of your purchase goes back to the ministry) Learn more about coaching: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 27, 2023
Going Verse By Verse on What the Bible Says About Gluttony Part 2
The June 16th episode on gluttony caught many listeners by surprise, so today Heather revisits this topic to go even deeper into what the Bible says about gluttony. Heather delves into the topic of gluttony again and provides listeners with tools to think critically about what it means according to Scripture, not bloggers or internet pundits. Today Heather discusses how the Church has historically used manmade created lists of virtues and vices but how it's crucial to interpret them in light of God's word. She also questions how our interpretations of scripture have been influenced by diet culture and encourages listeners to have conversations with their spiritual leaders about this topic, with their Bibles open. Here are some of the resources referenced in today's show: Listen to part one on Gluttony here: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-gluttony-really-what-the-bible-really-says John Cassian's 8 Vices: https://www.wenorthodox.com/forum/on-spiritual-life/on-the-eight-vices-st-john-cassian-c-ad-360-c-435 Some interesting thoughts on Evagrius Ponticus and John Cassian from a Catholic priest: https://desertfathers.blogspot.com/2014/02/mysticism-evagrius-ponticus-and-john.html Deuteronomy 21:18 Proverbs 23 Proverbs 24:13 1 Timothy 3 Colossians 2 Today's episode is sponsored by Classical Conversations. Learn more at: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Have you subscribed to the Compared to Who? show? Do so on your favorite podcast app! Ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more at: comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, June 23, 2023
4 Things to Do In Bad Body Image Day, Week, or Season
Host Heather Creekmore shares what to do when you have a bad body image day or week where you just feel really bad about your body. Heather shares from a recent experience having her own "body image flare up" and how she handled it. The episode also covers topics like grieving our past or ideal bodies, recognizing vulnerability to body image attacks, and creating resources to prevent spiraling out of control when you're struggling. Heather describes how body image issues are often connected to other pain in life talks in depth about her struggle with body dysmorphia, feeling confused about her true size and appearance, has looked over the years. The episode also discusses how societal constructs perpetuated by media and advertising contribute to the idea of a perfect body being the key to happiness. Heather also shares different tactics the enemy uses to tempt a person and how we can help ourselves and others avoid making things worse and spiraling out of control. Join the conversation to gain insight into how to cope with a tough day in the body image battle. Are you ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more or grab a ten minute coaching consult for free at: www.improvebodyimage.com or www.comparedtowho.me Today's episode is sponsored by Classical Conversations. Learn more at: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 20, 2023
Why I Want to Try Ozempic: What You Need to Know if this Weight Loss Drug Tempts You
Have you been following the Ozempic or Wegovy weight loss drug trends that are skyrocketing in our culture? It seems like it may be the "miracle solution" every dieter has dreamed of. It's not a pill, but a shot that you can take that seems to melt the weight right off. In today's show we're going to talk about what these drugs really do to the body, what the side effects are (and there are a lot of them), and how they may not actually address the real issues behind body image issues that connect to weight. Here are some of the important data points from today: Wegovy/Ozempic are semaglutide that mimic the GLP-1 Hormone to help lower your blood sugar and suppress your appetite and slows your digestion. You still have to diet and exercise to lose weight on these drugs. There are so many potentially dangerous or lifestyle devastating side effects of these drugs, it's important to understand the physical costs of these drugs. There may also be a risk of all the side effects that come with calorie restriction, aside from and along with the side effects of the medication. Here are the episode I did with Tracy Brown on the effects of disordered eating and eating disorders on our bodies. Did Your Dieting Hurt Your Body? Feat. Tracy Brown and Stomach, GI Tract Issues That Connect to Dieting & Disordered Eating These drugs are also expensive, especially if you don't have diabetes or another condition where insurance will help pay for it. Weight loss can't fix eating disorders, trauma, or body image issues. Check out this USA Today article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/04/02/downside-weight-loss-medication-side-effects-big-pharma/11464954002/ What "Ozempic Face" is and how it's being "fixed" and how this proves that weight loss alone doesn't fix our body image issues. From the USA Today piece linked above: "In the longest study , lasting 68 weeks – about 16 months – weight loss plateaued and started to climb again by the end, suggesting people's bodies had acclimated to the drugs." If what is most dangerous for most of us, health wise, is weight cycling, not necessarily having a higher weight, is Ozempic/Wegovy the healthiest option? How hard it is to watch people melt away the weight with weight loss drugs, but remember that it costs something and may not last. It certainly can't solve the issues of the heart around our body image issues, envy, or even struggles with our worth.</l
Fri, June 16, 2023
What is Gluttony, Really? What the Bible Really Says About Gluttony
Today Heather digs into the topic of gluttony. So many of us have been taught in the church that gluttony equals overeating. We've felt shame, guilt, and stress as we've tried to not be "gluttonous" in the way we've related to food. And, in that desire and pursuit of not committing this sin, we've been co-opted by the myths and rules of diet culture. We've learned that going back for seconds or enjoying Thanksgiving dinner is gluttony. But, does the Bible really connect gluttony to food and our enjoyment of it? Does the Bible really say that gluttony is eating more calories than we need? Does God really watch every bite we eat waiting for us to cross the line into gluttony when we eat? You'll be surprised by all the helpful, Biblical truth in this episode as we dig in to what the Bible really says about gluttony. Main Takeaways from this Episode: The enemy has held us in guilt and shame and condemnation around Gluttony according to a standard that is not the Bible standard at all. If you're trying to do intuitive eating and it feels uncomfortable because your body keeps telling you you're hungry and you're eating more than you used to eat, that is not gluttony. Gluttony is about your heart, not about what's on your plate. Helpful resources: But What About Gluttony by Kevin DeYoung Philippians 3:17-19 Proverbs 23 Today's episode is sponsored by Classical Conversations. If you're looking for a great way to homeschool your children in community with other Christians, check out Classical Conversations. Visit: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho for more information. Are you ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 13, 2023
Is Food Really Your Idol? A Test to Discover Your Real Relationship with Food
Heather Creekmore tackles the issue of food idolatry and how it relates to body image. Idolatry is a tricky topic, and many women who wrestle the body image idol may secretly desire to label food as an idol too. Heather asks listeners to carefully consider several questions in the form of an "idols test" to see where if food is really their idol, or if it's something else. Here are some key topics covered in today's episodes: Introduction to body image idolatry among women Discussion on how women may shift their focus from body image to food as an idol, especially for those with eating disorders Link between food as an idol and the desire to improve one's body Heather Creekmore's suggestion to consider what one cannot live without beyond physiological needs The potential confusion around food being on the idol list Discussion on fear around food and the topic of gluttony Heather Creekmore's personal experience with disordered eating and society's influence on food habits Fear of losing something being an indicator of an idol Determining the difference between physiological need and food idolatry Lack of understanding about the physiological effects of restriction and disordered eating Idea that finding satisfaction in food is not bad, but ultimate satisfaction cannot be found in it Discussion on spending a lot of time thinking about food and potential physiological connection. Ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Are you interested in homeschooling? Learn more about our sponsor, Classical Conversations at: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, June 09, 2023
Help! I'm Aging! Coaching Call with Ruth Harper, RD
Today we explore the uncomfortable changes women go through as they age. We discuss how perimenopause and menopause are not talked about enough in society and how there is a movement to normalize aging. And, Heather gets an exclusive coaching session from Ruth Harper, a registered dietitian and intuitive eating coach. Through the coaching time, Heather and Ruth talk about naming the feelings we have towards our changing bodies, how shame can feel heavy in certain parts of the body, and how connecting with what the body is experiencing can help provide ministering. This discussion on embracing the changes that come with aging will encourage and uplift you! Connect with Ruth Harper at: www.nourishmentor.com Learn more about Classical Conversations at: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 06, 2023
Finding Peace With Food and Aging Featuring Ruth Harper, RD
Today Heather and her guest, Ruth Harper, a registered dietitian, and nutrition therapist talk about Ruth's journey to making peace with both food and aging. Ruth struggled with body-consciousness and a strong perfectionist mentality as a teenager, as a result of her involvement in track and field. She tried to control her eating habits by eating less and running more, but ended up feeling devastated when she couldn't maintain control over her body. Ruth shares what helped her overcome her struggles, how her journey with food, control, and body image issues has gone, and what has happened as she's added aging to the mix. Heather and Ruth discuss the fear and terror that arises when undergoing body changes and how to approach aging and menopause while dealing with unexpected complications. They reference Ruth's personal struggles with emotional regulation, body image, and appearance expectations. Ruth offers tips on intuitive eating and relaxing for those going through perimenopause or menopause, and explains how the right mindset can help navigate this difficult period. This episode is perfect for anyone seeking body image freedom while struggling with the pressures of aging. Learn more about Ruth Harper here: https://nourishmentor.com/ Learn more about Classical Conversations, today's sponsor, here: www.classicalconversations.com Learn more about Christian body image coaching with Heather Creekmore, here: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, June 02, 2023
Sunshine: A Simple Antidote to Feeling Better About Your Body
On this episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore is joined by Erin Kerry to discuss a simple and effective way to feel better in your body without weight loss or changes in diet and exercise. Erin, an integrative nutrition health coach and a survivor of bipolar disorder, advocates for safe sun exposure for vitamin D production, gut health, and overall wellness. She also recommends apps like D-minder and talks about an interesting study using cacao powder to ensure optimal safe sun exposure and reduce sun sensitivity. Tune in to learn more about the benefits of sunshine and safe sun exposure for overall health and wellness. Learn more about Erin's health coaching services, listen to her podcast, or connect with Erin Kerry at: www.sparkingwholeness.com Here are three key takeaways from the episode: Improve body image by addressing internal issues of the heart, instead of just physical appearance. Vitamin D is essential for overall health, and the sun is the easiest way to get it. However, individualized, safe sun exposure is important and may require help such as an app like D Minder. Morning sun exposure can stimulate the production of serotonin, which can regulate sleep cycles and improve mood all of which can help you feel better about your body and improve your body image. Topics Covered: [00:03:39] "The power of the sun: Benefits of Vitamin D" [00:08:22] "The Struggle of Implementing Free and Easy Wellness Practices" [00:12:29] "Benefits of Outdoor Exercise: Don't Miss Out" [00:14:01] "Navigating Safe Sun Exposure and Vitamin D Absorption" [00:19:29] "Revolutionary D Mind App detects Vitamin D" [00:21:10] "Genetic Snips and Vitamin D Absorption" [00:25:23] "Partnering with Your Body: The Key to Health" [00:28:05] "Embracing Grace: Letting go of Checklists & Striving" Interested in homeschooling? Check out this month's sponsor, Classical Conversations, to learn more about a great way to help your children learn and grow. www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Ready to find more freedom on your body image journey? Ready to feel better about your body this summer and all year long? Visit: www.improvebodyimage.com and find the coaching tab to find out more about whether or not Christian body image coaching is right for you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 30, 2023
How to Stop Having Bad Thoughts About Your Body
Do you struggle with thinking bad thoughts about your body? Today Heather will unpack a new way to think about the famous passage in Romans 12:1-2 which tells us to be transformed through the renewing of our minds. Heather will talk about how the key strategy to thinking differently about your body isn't found in the transformation but in believing that you are a new creation from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Heather also offers a super practical tool for how to stop bad thoughts about your body from consuming you. She explains something called the Philippians 4:8 filter and how to use it and why you should memorize this passage (or at least have it written somewhere you can always see it) so that you are prepared to transform the way you think about your body every time a negative or damaging thought pops up. Today's episode is sponsored by Classical Conversations, a Christian homeschool program that Heather's family has used for more than a decade. Learn more about this program at: http://www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Did you know Heather has a brand new plan out on You Version? Learn more about this plan called "Have a Comparison-Free Summer" on the Bible app. Ready for Christian body image coaching? Learn more or grab a free ten minute call to see if coaching is right for you: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/Christian-body-image-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 26, 2023
Christian Music to Improve Your Body Image 2023
Today's show is dedicated to giving you a new playlist for when you have a bad body image day. If you're struggling with how you look or feel down about your weight or appearance, pull up these songs and listen on your way to work, while you exercise, or wherever your day takes you. If we can train our ears, hearts, and minds to worship instead of obsessing over our bodies, we will feel freedom like never before. This is a list of Heather's current (Spring/Summer 2023) favorites. What are some of yours? Here's the link to Heather's playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5mxHyxr2dmUpgyI4Zx4kCC?si=8a5bb7763471452d Also check out Heather's Christian workout music playlist here. Ready for some Christian body image coaching? Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Today's show is sponsored by Classical Conversations. Learn more about this Christian homeschool program at: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Here are the Christian songs to improve body image mentioned in today's show: You by Apollo LTD Fingerprints by Dan Bremnes For the Love of God by Andrew Ripp You Keep Hope Alive Mandisa featuring Jon Reddick God Really Loves Us - Crowder featuring Maverick City Music Running Home - Cochran and Company I See Grace - Micah Tyler Anxious Heart - Jeremy Camp This is Our God - Phil Wickham That's the Thing About Praise - Benjamin William Gratitude - Brandon Lake Easy to Praise - Patrick Mayberry This is My Song (Featuring Mac Powell) Northpoint Music Ain't Nobody - Cody Carnes You've Already Won by Shane and Shane Live Up To Your Nam e by Danny Gokey You Say by Lauren Diagle Not mentioned but should have been: For King and Country's new song called, Love Me Like I Am Mercy Me: Say I Won't Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 23, 2023
What Are You Feeding On: Body Image Issues and Media Habits
day we're talking about all things music, television, movies, and social media. If you want to be free from body image issues, chances are you're going to have to re-examine how you relate to these forms of media. It's impossible to stay free if you are feeding on a constant diet of unhealthy images and messages. For Christian women who want body image freedom, we have to carefully evaluate every thing we are consuming with our eyes and our ears, much in the same way we were carefully evaluating everything we consumed with our mouths. Only, it may be what you consume with your eyes and your ears are even more harmful to your body image issues than anything you'd eat! Heather confesses to getting sucked in by a famous body makeover plan's ads on YouTube and discusses how easy it is to be affected and influenced by the messages we hear and see. She also talks about God is the only one we know who doesn't have an ulterior motive for our lives. When God tells us something or asks something of us, it's not so he can get our money or win us over--it's for our good and His glory. Marketers have a much different quest. Ready to be free from body image issues? Consider Christian body image coaching with Heather. Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Today's show is sponsored by Classical Conversations. Learn more about this fantastic homeschool community that Heather and her family have used for more than a decade. Visit: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 19, 2023
Help! I Hate How I Look in Pictures (2023)
I've had many women reach out to me over the years with this sentiment, "Help! I hate pictures of myself!" Today's episode of the podcast is dedicated to you. Let's talk through why we hate to see ourselves in pictures, what's really going on in our heads, and what's really going on in our lives when we get our pictures taken. Today, we talk through why pictures of ourselves can be so triggering, how BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) is stirred by photographs, and what we can do if we are afraid of getting our picture taken because we know we'll hate it. Heather shares from her own experience of struggling with how she looks in pictures and what she's learned about making peace with photos of ourselves. Today's show also talks about what to do with vacation photos. If you don't like how you look in pictures, how to navigate getting your photo taken without letting it ruin your summer vacation! There are lots of great tips in today's episode for everyone who struggles with body image issues and seeing themselves in pictures and longs for freedom! Are you ready for Christian body image coaching? Check out: www.comparedtowho.me for more information. Today's episode is sponsored by Classical Conversations. Find out more about this Christian homeschool community by visiting: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, May 15, 2023
What is an Exercise Non-Responder? Does Exercise Work the Same Way for Everyone?
Have what we've been told about exercise and the way it changes the look of your body been skewed? Today Heather looks at some relatively new data that shows how not every person responds to exercise in the exact same way. While it is certain that exercise has mental and physical health benefits for most of us, there is a certain group that does not respond in an expected way. They are termed "exercise non-responders," and these are people who can follow the same 6-week or 12-week plan as the rest of the group and yet not see the same physical changes or physical benefits as the rest. The numbers of who this applies to are much larger than you would expect in one particular outcome called VO2 max, which is a way to quantify physical fitness. We rarely hear about this as an actual possibility. Most of the time we're told that if you do the exercises, put in the work, you will get the same results. We believe the ads that say, "If you want a body like this, work out like this." But, what if that's just not true. What if it's not physically possible for some people to re-shape their bodies in the same way as others. Today Heather wants to free you from the cultural belief that if you do this type of exercise, you will get a body that looks a certain way. Exercise has lots of great benefits, but it's time to lose the shame and frustration around working out hard to get your body to look different. She challenges the paradigm of what we've been taught around exercise and what it will do for us. Action step: Think about what you've believed and how you've assessed yourself or judged others in the realm of fitness and exercise because their bodies don't (or your body doesn't) look like you believed they should look if they were doing the "right types" of exercises. Learn more about exercise non-responders and the article Heather looks at here: https://www.acefitness.org/continuing-education/certified/february-2023/8234/could-your-client-be-a-non-responder/ Here's the pubmed study that Heather cites: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6349783/ Don't forget to leave a review if Compared to Who? has blessed you! Learn more at www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Interested in Christian body image coaching? Find out more at: www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 12, 2023
Do Christians Have to Be Fit? Will I Ever Feel Fit Enough?
Today we talk about all things fitness. What does it mean to be fit? Is physical fitness something that all Christians need? Why should we pursue fitness and is there ever a danger to pursuing physical fitness? Today Heather digs into how fitness and health aren't always synonymous. She also talks about how fitness can help us fulfill our calling and serve God with our bodies. But, she shares from her own experience with pursuing fitness at the expense of her health and how this kind of pursuit of fitness wasn't about being fit to serve the Lord better, but was for a more futile purpose. Heather also looks at what scripture says about fitness in our physical body and fitness from a spiritual sense--readiness to do what God has called and asked us to do. She poses several questions for those of every fitness level to examine their own hearts, lives, and relationship with fitness to find a place of greater peace and spiritual health. Ready for Christian body image coaching? Visit: www.improvebodyimage.com to find out more or grab a ten minute coaching call to see if coaching is right for you. Have you joined our Facebook community yet? Join the Body Image Help for Christian Women group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024 Don't forget to snag your copy of The Burden of Better while it's still just .99 on Kindle. Learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 09, 2023
Should I Exercise? Exercise, the Bible, and Body Image Issues
Do you love exercise? Do you hate exercise? Today we're talking about what a healthy relationship with exercise looks like and what a healthy theology of exercise is. What does the Bible say about exercise explicitly, and what can we extrapolate about exercise from the ways God designed our bodies? Here are some things we dig into in today's episode: Does God command us to exercise? Did he design our bodies to move? How can we apply grace to our views of exercise? How can we think about exercise in a way that is healthy and holy according to the Bible? Are there other ways that we are moving our bodies naturally as a part of using our gifts? Can this "count" as exercise? If exercise is a triggering word for you, what would it look like to remove the word exercise from your vocabulary and just get moving in service of the Lord? How do we listen to our bodies around exercise instead of listening to guilt and shame that comes from culture's expectations around exercise? How do you know when your relationship with exercise has gone bad? Exercise Bulimia When exercise becomes an idol or your treasure When exercise becomes too important of a priority in your life or an idol What happens when God asks you to lay down a specific form of exercise Figuring out your motivation for exercise When you're working out too hard and overexercising When exercise is stressing you out too much in already stressful seasons If exercise is an addiction or a problem: Ask why you are working out so hard. Thinking about body kindness as it relates to exercise. Here's the pelvic floor program, Tighten Your Tinkler, I mentioned in today's show that I talked about last Fall on the show. Check out Jimmy Pena's testimony at prayfit.org . What does the Bible really say about the importance of physical exercise? Check out 1 Timothy 4:1-8 and think about its implications of spiritual fitness versus physical fitness. Do you need extra support for your body image journey? Consider coaching with Heather. Learn more at www.comparedtowho.me Leave a review for the show! Learn more at: www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 05, 2023
Is It Even Possible to Be Naked and Unashamed? Genesis 2
In Genesis 2:25, we read how Adam and Eve were in the garden and "naked and unashamed." But most women with body image issues aren't experiencing this kind of freedom in their intimate lives. Just thinking about being "naked and unashamed" is nerve-wracking for most of us. But the truth is: What your body looks like has little to do with how well you can connect with your husband in the bedroom. If having a "hot" body meant great sex and great marriages, then Hollywood would be the mecca of great relationships. And, yet? That's not what we see playing out there. What is sex designed for? Does sex require us to look a certain way in order to enjoy it? Sex isn't supposed to be "Look at me" but how can we join together and love each other well. On today's show Heather makes three observations about this Genesis 2:25 verse. She discusses all the ways we've absorbed culture's messages around sex and our bodies and how they hurt our intimate lives. Heather also digs into how culture teaches us to strive for being "naked and unashamed" in every area of life. But what if this goal is misguided? Could it be that the only context in which we are designed to be naked without any shame is in the context of marriage after we've become one flesh with another person? What's our motivation to be naked and unashamed? Heather encourages you through this episode that intimacy issues are rarely about our bodies, which gives us great hope for better marriages and sex lives--no matter how our bodies age or change. Other resources: Dr. Juli Slattery was on the show last year talking about sex, body image, and marriage. Listen to that episode here. Coaching is open! Learn more at: www.improvebodyimage.com If you need help sorting through body image in marriage issues, book your session today. The Burden of Better is available for only .99 on Kindle for one more week. Check it out here and learn more. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 02, 2023
What the Gospel Speaks to Our Body Image Issues
In today's About 7 Minutes of Scripture episode, Heather explores how the message of the Gospel can specifically encourage us around our specific body and food issues. We have so many messages coming at us, and every day we choose to believe certain things are true and certain things aren't true. We can choose to believe that carbs are bad or that intermittent fasting is the best way to live. We can choose to believe that more exercise is always better or that taking a rest day is akin to laziness. We can choose to believe all of these things based on the words of people on the Internet, influencers who tell us their ways are best and we follow them. But, what about the greatest influencer of all? What about Jesus and His word and His Truth? Why is it sometimes harder to believe that the Gospel is enough to pronounce us worthy and accepted? How can we believe the Gospel and its message as easily as we believe the messages of human influencers? Today, Heather explores the first part of 1 John 4. Look it up to follow along or read later . Check out the Burden of Better on Kindle for only .99 starting May 1st! (Amazon affiliate link) Do you need Christian body image coaching? You can connect with Heather or schedule a free ten-minute call here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 28, 2023
Stomach, GI Tract Issues That Connect to Dieting & Disordered Eating
Today Heather continues her conversation with Tracy Brown, RD about the strange or unusual physical symptoms that can connect to dieting, food restriction, eating disorders, and disordered eating. Though some doctors fail to make the connections, it's clear from Tracy's work that many women who have this kind of history also have similar symptoms that show up in the form of GI tract or stomach issues that range from bloating, to IBS, to esophagus issues and other problems. Heather and Tracy explore the impact your diet or wellness plan may have secretly had on your digestive system. Heather shares about her autoimmune esophagus issues and related problems she's had with her GI tract. They talk about AFRID and other ways we can unknowingly create more problems for ourselves as we try to restrict foods that we think are to blame for the issues we are having. Heather shares what happened after she went for MRT testing to see what foods she was allergic to and how the further restriction may have caused even more problems. Tracy also digs into the threat response we create in our bodies when we fear eating certain foods or when past trauma connects with certain foods and we respond to them. There's so much interesting information in this episode-for education purposes only. Please seek treatment or help from an eating disorder-trained medical professional if you are struggling with an eating disorder or some of these symptoms. Connect with Tracy Brown , RD and learn more about how to work with her. For helpful encouragement on Intuitive Eating and finding a healthy relationship with food, follow Tracy on Instagram here. Check out the Burden of Better on Kindle for only .99 starting May 1st! (Amazon affiliate link) Do you need Christian body image coaching? You can connect with Heather or schedule a free ten-minute call here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 25, 2023
Did Dieting Secretly Hurt Your Body & Your Health?
Today Heather interviews Tracy Brown, registered dietitian and trauma-informed eating disorder recovery coach about all the physical issues that can accompany or follow seasons of dieting, disordered eating, or an eating disorder. Are you always cold? Have you experienced seasons of hair loss? Have you had joint or bone density issues? GI and digestive tract issues, no matter what you eat? Today Heather shares her story of several strange physical symptoms she's experienced over the years--from easily broken bones to esophagus issues--and how the decades of an unhealthy relationship with food have hit her with new symptoms and strange side effects, years later, even after she's recovered from disordered eating. In today's show, Heather and Tracy discuss issues like bone loss, muscle loss, joint issues, sexual health issues, fertility, and cardiac arrest and other heart issues. They also talk about how being malnourished (the technical way to look at dieting and calorie restriction of any kind) can cause hair loss, nail growth to stop, and your skin's appearance to change. Tracy explains how the human stress response acts as a protective mechanism to keep us alive by deciding which systems are most important to keep working. If your body only has a limited amount of resources and you are limiting food, the body has to choose whether or not to keep running your heart, lungs, and brain or to grow your hair. The body is smart enough to know that the heart, lungs, and brain are most important. Dieting Can Hurt Your Health: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Heather and Tracy discuss how serious it is to put our bodies in a situation where it has to make this kind of choice. They also discuss how even without physical symptoms, there may be emotional and spiritual symptoms connected to months, years, or decades of disordered eating. Connect with Tracy & Other Resources Book Heather mentioned: Sick Enough by Jennifer Gaudiani * Amazon affiliate link Connect with Tracy Brown , RD and learn more about how to work with her. For helpful encouragement on Intuitive Eating and finding a healthy relationship with food, follow Tracy on Instagram here. Do you need Christian body image coaching? You can connect with Heather or schedule a free ten-minute call here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 21, 2023
Terrorized by Size: Unpacking Our Complicated Relationship with Clothing and Size
Do you hate to buy bigger clothes? Is it a mental battle when you try on the size you thought you wore only to find that you need another size or two (or more) larger? Have you been frustrated with your body because it has changed sizes and now you don't even know what size you wear? Today, Heather unpacks our complicated relationship with clothing and clothing sizes. She gets real as she discusses why so many of us have difficulty getting rid of clothes that don't fit and why we refuse to buy ourselves new clothes when our bodies change sizes. She also explores the history of standardized sizing and what that means to us as women of all shapes and sizes. If you're staring at clothes in your drawer or your closet that are too small or too big . . . If you're frustrated that you're feeling healthier in your relationship with food but now don't fit in your clothing . . . or if you feel shame around changing sizes or the letter or number inside your jeans, this episode is for you. Hey, it may be the perfect episode to also share with a friend. Share it on social media or just pass it on via text to a friend or family member whom you know would be blessed by it. Heather IS taking coaching clients this month. If you'd like to explore coaching with Heather, try a ten minute intro to coaching call and get your Christian body image coaching questions answered. Click here to schedule your free ten-minute coaching call with Heather Creekmore. Have you taken the survey yet? Tell Compared to Who? what you'd like to hear more of. Fill out the survey here: https://forms.gle/dhxZ3TvHM1NfXPTS6 This episode was sponsored by Classical Conversations -- a great way to do homeschooling in community. Learn more at: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho The Burden of Better will only be .99 May 1 through May 14th on Kindle. Go grab your copy while it's almost free. (Amazon affiliate link - a tiny portion of your purchase will go back to Compared to Who?) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 18, 2023
Agreeing with the Lord about How He Made Us: Ashley Smith Part 2
Heather continues her conversations with Ashley Smith of the HA society about hormonal issues, infertility, and body image issues common among women she works with. Part two of this conversation goes far beyond the medical and fertility implications of disordered eating that often accompanies body image issues. Today, Heather and Ashley dig into what it really means to find body image freedom and how agreeing with God about how he made us is vital to that process. Together they discuss topics like: Trying to achieve your ideal image. Fear and surrender around body image, food, and even fertility What it really means to be the "temple" of the Holy Spirit Is it even possible to be happy in your body? Why self- hatred may be the biggest (secret) idol of all. At the end of today's episode, Ashley gives specific instructions about when it's time to get help with your HA (loss of cycle). Reach out to Ashley Smith at: www.thehasociety.com if you want coaching or help around your hormonal or fertility issues. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 14, 2023
Hormones, HA, Infertility, Early Menopause, and Body Image Featuring Ashley Smith
omen who are struggling with hormone issues surrounding fertility, loss of cycle, early menopause diagnoses, and body image issues. Ashley shares her story and how her own experience has led her to a ministry and coaching business where she helps women get pregnant (without IVF), regain their cycle, and make peace with their bodies and food. Today Ashley and Heather talk about: Heather shares her story of having HA without knowing what she had or why she was missing her period. Ashley shares her story of trying to perfect her body, and "get healthy" and how that led her to losing her cycle and other physical issues. What Hypothalamic Amenorrhea is (loss of cycle do to a suppressed hormone production) and why it's not a permanent condition. How estrogen/progesterone are important to your entire body. Why women are being diagnosed as peri or pre-menopausal in their thirties How HA gets frequently mistaken for PCOS. The impact of disordered eating on the thyroid-and how you can feel wired and tired. Learn more about Ashley and the work of the HA society here: https://www.thehasociety.com/coaching Ready for coaching? Visit: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/Christian-body-image-coaching for more information Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 11, 2023
Rivalries, Sisters, and Comparison: A Biblical Look at Rivalries
Do you have a rival? Hannah in the Bible did. As did Rachel and Leah. Today we look at rivalries, competitions, and comparisons that happen between women. Whether you've always been compared to a rival sister or cousin, or whether or not you've just found yourself in competition with a woman at church or at work, this episode is for you! Today, Heather explores the stories of Hannah from 1 Samuel and of Rachel and Leah from Genesis 29-30. She talks about how detrimental it is for us to get caught up in rivalries and offers three things to do if you find yourself in a competition or comparison trap with another woman. Listen to other episodes about Rachel and Leah and women of the Bible from the Compared to Who? show. This episode is sponsored by Classical Conversations. To learn more about how to start homeschooling with Classical Conversations visit www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho Leave a review! For instructions visit: www.comparedtowho.me/podcast then scroll to the bottom for details! Interested in coaching? Visit: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/Christian-body-image-coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 07, 2023
Money, Body Image, Stewardship, Hoarding, and Other Connections
The concept of stewardship is often used with our bodies and money, but are there more connections between money and body image than we may know? Today's episode explores these connections, how eating disorders show up in the way we deal with money, how eating disorders can connect with hoarding and more. Have you heard of financial anorexia? How about having "shopping bulimia?" How about an "orthorexic" view of what we spend money on? Or, how about a possible connection between anorexia and a tendency to hoard food? That's what Heather talks about in today's show. Looking through scripture, God has a lot to say about how to steward our money. In truth, there's more verses money than there are about how to care for our bodies. Today, Heather explores several money-related verses and connects how the wisdom around treating this "treasure" could also be applied to how we treat the "treasure" of our physical bodies. Whether you're "wealthy" in the body image department or feeling impoverished in the arena of physical beauty or health, there are lessons to be learned from scripture on the topic of how we think about and steward our bodies. We also talk about how no amount of money or beauty can keep us safe. It's only Jesus that offers that protection, freedom, and safety. Verses explored today: Where your treasure is your heart will be also – Matthew 6:21 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:25 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 19:25 Take the survey! Compared to Who? wants to hear from you. Fill out the survey and you could win a FREE hour of body image coaching with Heather! Who do you need to share this podcast with? Copy and paste this link and text it to a friend who need some encouragement today. Ready for Body Image Coaching? Visit: www.improvebodyimage.com to learn more. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 04, 2023
What to Do When Depressed or Grieving Over Body Size Body Image
Do you ever just feel sad about your body size or shape? Part of finding body image freedom is recognizing the truth that sometimes you will just feel sad or discouraged about your body. Grieving the lost dream of a "better" body that would "cure" everything or the loss of youth or the loss of the body size or shape you once had is a normal and healthy process. On today's show, Heather looks at what body grief is and offers three suggestions for how to process grief and how to not stay in the pit of body image woe or body depression. Today, Heather talks about: 1) The five stages of grief, what they are, and how we move through them, including an explanation of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief. 2) What these stages of grief look like as they relate to our body image issues or adjustment to aging or changing sizes. 3) How being "sober-minded" as scripture instructs, can help us find body image freedom. 4) How Romans 12: 1-3 can help us see our bodies in a different light and help us when we grieve. 5) How Psalm 73 offers us the best cure for any time we feel grieved or sorrow-filled about our bodies (or anything!) Ready for body image coaching? Reach out to Heather at: heather @ Compared to who (dot) me for more information on how you can get started this month! Have you read the Burden of Better yet? Start reading here. Join our Facebook Community called "Body Image Help for Christian Women" here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 31, 2023
Why Give Up the Diet Mentality: Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Today Heather talks with one of her Intuitive Eating Coaches, Erin Todd, about step one of Intuitive Eating, which is giving up the Diet Mentality. Erin and Heather hash through how conditioned we are to believe that diets and plans are the only ways to be "healthy" or be on the "path" to a better body or better health. They also talk about the following: How we feel "safe" when we are conforming to the way everyone else is eating or dieting. Why we cling to diets or eating plans even if we know they don't work in the long run. How we conflate appearance with identity. Heather shares how it feels like failure not to be pursuing a thinner body. How the measure of a body's worth has changed from "Yay, you'll survive the winter" to "the person who can restrict the most, wins." How Intuitive Eating is a weight-neutral, non-diet approach to listening to and caring for your body. There are boundaries and principles to be guided by. How Intuitive Eating is bigger than just how you eat and how the framework respects how our bodies were created. How Intuitive Eating isn't the same as just "not being on a diet" How do we trust ourselves around food. Why we are afraid that when we stop dieting we'll gain hundreds of pounds. Or that, "Once we stop eating we'll never stop." (And the black and white thinking behind that). Why are we afraid of the opinions of people we don't know about our bodies. How fear around food and diets is spiritual warfare. How dieting/following plans may keep us from our ultimate purpose here on earth-loving God and loving others well. How dieting as a prescription doesn't fit the "standard of care" test. The Weight Watchers (WW) illustration- how this huge diet company's recent purchase of a weight loss drug company may reveal what's really going on. What do diets really cost us? Are you ready to start walking in freedom? Consider coaching with Heather. Learn more about Christian body image coaching on Heather's website: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/Christian-body-image-coaching Are we email friends yet? Get the FREE 5-Day Improve Your Body Image Email Challenge here. Connect with Erin Todd and learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women on their podcast and blog. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 28, 2023
What Can I Do to Feel More Significant? Featuring Rachael Adams
Let's face it. We all want to be special. We all want to know that our lives are significant. We each desire to know that we matter. But, sometimes our lives can feel anything but significant. We may know that God says we are, but then we look at our schedules or our days and think: Does any of this really matter? Today, Heather's guest is Rachael Adams, author and host of the Love Offering Podcast. Rachael talks about how she's journeyed to find significance and shares truths from her new book, "A Little Goes a Long Way." Heather and Rachael talk about the tiny things in our lives that can make others (and ourselves) grasp a better understanding of our significance. We talk about about how significance sometimes comes from (or looks more like) sacrifice. We also talk about how something as simple as looking someone in the eyes can help them feel like they matter--and how we can practice this with strangers or even family members! You'll love where our conversation goes today--stick around to the end--that's when it really heats up! Learn more about Rachael on her website and learn more about the Love Offering Podcast. Check out Rachael's new book: A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life. (Amazon affiliate link) Learn more about the ministry of Compared to Who? at www.comparedtowho.me Ready for Christian body image coaching? Do you need someone who can help you dig into why you're still stuck stressing over your size or shape? Contact Heather and book a free 10-minute call to see if coaching is right for you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 24, 2023
Morality and Food Choices? How Diet Culture & Purity Culture Connect
In today's interview with Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD, Amy and Heather talk about the ways that "Purity Culture" a movement in the church through the 1990s, has paved the way for Diet Culture in the church. The duo explores the language we use around our food choices like "being good" or "being bad," how we admire those who can "abstain" from eating, and how we've put a lot of weight and value on our food choices to give us standing, worth, or value. Amy and Heather explore the good, bad, and ugly from purity culture and relate it to the ways we think about thinness, food, and the ways we eat today. This deep dive into what's underneath both of these movements and what's missing from both--(hint: it's Jesus!) will inspire and encourage you in your relationship with food and your body. Connect with Amy Carlson through https://www.hellowpeacewithfood.com or check out the Peace With Food App Connect with Compared to Who?, take the body image 5-Day Email Challenge, and get on our friends' list here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Start reading Heather's latest book, The Burden of Better, by downloading the first two chapters free here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison or at https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Interested in coaching: visit the coaching tab at www.comparedtowho.me to find out more or to schedule a free, 10-minute call to see if coaching is right for you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 21, 2023
How to Really Feel Better in Your Body Featuring Amy Carlson, RD
"But I feel better on a plan!" This is a sentiment Heather's heard many times and even said herself. But, today, she talks with a dietitian and eating disorder expert, Amy Carlson about what's underneath that feeling of needing a food plan to feel like we're doing "okay" in our bodies. Amy and Heather unpack why we feel guilty or like we're doing something "wrong" when we aren't following a plan. They talk about who and how we decide to follow certain diets or adopt certain food rules. They also talk about how many women hold tightly to the belief that they will feel better, more loved, less rejected, and more once they are in a smaller body. Yet, how many women who have found food freedom can say with certainty that being thinner never gave them those feelings of security they thought it would. There's so much good stuff in today's episode. If you're the type of person who has always felt better when following a plan or if you're just longing to feel better in your body and aren't even sure if it's possible, today's episode will inspire and encourage you! Connect with Amy Carlsonthrough https://www.hellowpeacewithfood.com or check out the Peace With Food App Connect with Compared to Who?, take the body image 5-Day Email Challenge, and get on our friends' list here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Start reading Heather's latest book, The Burden of Better, by downloading the first two chapters free here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison or at https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Interested in coaching: visit the coaching tab at www.comparedtowho.me to find out more or to schedule a free, 10-minute call to see if coaching is right for you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 17, 2023
Dear Gwyneth: Your Wellness Plan is Not Food or Body Freedom
Today's episode is a compassionate letter to Gwyneth Paltrow who, on Instagram this week, talked about her "wellness plan" which included her sharing what she eats in a day. If you didn't get to see the interview, you can learn more in this New York Post article which quipped that Gwyneth's daily food routine sounded like, "colonoscopy prep." But the goal of today's podcast is not to criticize or condemn Gwyneth. Instead, in this open letter, author and Christian body image coach, Heather Creekmore gently encourages Gwyneth with some data and science to help her see that her "wellness" plan may actually be related to sickness. Heather shares the truth in love with this celebrity who has pressures around her body and appearance that are greater than what most women can understand. Heather shares with Gwyneth some of the data around how dangerous it is to a body to eat this little each day, and how many of the health issues--both mental and physical--that we face as epidemics today--may be connected to starvation diets and calorie restriction. Gwyneth isn't a woman who needs more criticism. She's a woman who needs more love and compassion to help her fight the lies of body image idolatry and disordered eating. Let's pray that she will see the freedom offered through Christ alone. Find out more about Heather Creekmore, Christian body image coach, and Compared to Who?. Find out more about what 1500 calories a day does to your body and brain by listening to this interview with Erin Kerry, Integrative Nutrition Coach. Learn more about the dangers of eating disorders i n this interview with a dietitian. Find the entire text of the letter Heather reads on today's show on the Compared to Who? body image for Christian women website. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 14, 2023
What Happens in the Brain When You Binge Feat: Dr. Kari Anderson 2
Today Heather continues her conversation with Dr. Kari Anderson about binge eating. They discuss what's going on in the brain when we binge, how the brain sends signals that lead to a binge, how binges can connect with attachment and relational issues, how fear connects to inflammation issues, and more. Dr. Kari Anderson is a licensed professional counselor and is a national authority in the treatment of binge eating disorder. The pair also discuss: how to befriend your body, how to talk to your body, and what a difference this makes in our healing and recovery process after food, body, and eating issues. If you've ever struggled with bingeing, binge eating disorder, stress eating, emotional eating, or any type of food issues where you feel like once you start eating, you can't stop--today's episode is for you. Learn more about Dr. Kari Anderson at: www.myeatingdoctor.com , and you can check out her 8-week course online. Use the code: RW50 to save 50% Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 10, 2023
Binge Eating, Stress Eating, Food Issues & Our Brains
Today Heather interviews Dr. Kari Anderson, a licensed professional counselor, eating disorder coach, author, and a recognized authority in treating binge eating and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Today, Dr. Anderson shares her story of struggling with food as a child and young adult. Heather and Kari talk about everything from Kari's secret affinity for downing sugar packets for comfort to going to Weight Watchers meetings and how Kari's faith and training helped her come to a place where she has peace with food and her body. Kari and Heather talk about stress eating, what binge eating actually is, food scarcity, what the brain does when it's food insecure (be it from dieting or actual food scarcity), the connection between binge eating and impulse disorders, what role your epigenetics play in the way you eat and how you feel about food . . .and more. Learn more about Dr. Kari Anderson at: www.myeatingdoctor.com , and you can check out her 8-week course online. Use the code: RW50 to save 50% Interested in Christian Body Image Coaching? Visit: www.comparedtowho.me to learn more about how you can work with Heather. Are you on the Compared to Who? friends' list yet? Visit www.comparedtowho.me to get the free 5-Day Body Image Email Challenge. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 07, 2023
6 Things to Do When You Feel Fat: Tips for Christian Women
What do you do when you feel fat? Of course, most know by now that "fat" isn't really a feeling. Yet, how many of us say it? It's what we say when we don't know any other words to express displeasure with how our bodies look or feel. Today, Heather explores six things you can do when you feel fat. Heather talks about what's under the surface of our "bleh" body feelings and how we can ask ourselves questions to try to separate what we are feeling, emotionally from how our bodies look. Heather also talks about what we need to do to protect our body image and how, as Christians, there are certain habits and tactics we need to employ regularly in order to make sure that we are not drowning in culture's definitions of where our worth and value come from. If you've ever complained about "feeling fat" or if you've ever just felt weighed down by body image woe this episode is for you! Shows referenced in this podcast: podcast-defeating-comparison-in-unexpected-ways Are you interested in Christian body image coaching? Learn more or grab a free 10 minute call with Heather to see if coaching would be right for you! Are you on the Compared to Who? friends list yet? Friends find out all about specials, new releases, and get personalized encouragement every month. Sign up and get the free, 5-Day email body image challenge. Learn more here: www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 03, 2023
What To Do If You Hate Your Stomach (2023)
Today we’re going to talk about what to do if there’s a part of your body that you hate–that you want to change or maybe even are obsessing over changing. In particular, we're going to talk about hating our stomachs. But you can take today's content and apply it to any body part that bothers you. Heather shares how she tried to research and figure out what culture's advice is for those who hate their stomachs. In short: the answer is always to change it. It's as if your stomach is a broken pipe in your kitchen that you can fix by following these "3 easy steps." It's as if your stomach is completely "fixable," and if your stomach doesn't look flat, then you need to do something to change that. Heather offers three things to remember in today's show: Remember your God is not your stomach. Remember your season. Remember reality. The verse of the day is Philippians 3:19, you can read the full verse in context here. Heather also digs into some realities about body changes that happen at midlife. Here is a link to a podcast episode that talks about how bodies change around menopause and perimenopause and how estrogen around the middle may serve a purpose during menopause. (Note - the Food Psych podcast has helpful information but does not take a Christian perspective on body image issues) Listen to this episode here: https://christyharrison.com/foodpsych/7/aging-diet-culture-and-body-changes-around-menopause-with-erica-leon If you're not in midlife, Heather offers other strategies to help you fight the obsession and frustration over specific parts. This is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Heather also explores what BDD - Body Dysmorphic Disorder is and how to know if you may have it. Check out Heather's eating disorder story here: https://comparedtowho.me/what-you-need-to-know-about-eating-disorders Are you ready for body image coaching? If you need one-on-one help to pull you out from where you’re stuck, Heather offers sessions by the hour. On average – coaching clients make great progress in 6-8 weeks. Start by booking just one or two sessions to help you get on the right track. Learn more or book your first session here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 28, 2023
7 minutes of Scripture: Numbers 13, 14 and Your Body Image
In Numbers 13 and 14 we read the story of Joshua, Caleb and the twelve spies that were sent out from the Israelites to scout out the land of Canaan. Canaan was the promised land - the land that God was leading them to and had promised to them after freeing them from slavery in Egypt. Yet, ten of the twelve men sent as scouts decided that they were too small to fight the inhabitants and take over the land. In today's episode, Heather explains how this story can help inform and encourage our body image issues. Was it body image issues that kept these men from taking the land God had promised them? Why did the size of their bodies suddenly become an obstacle to obeying God? Hadn't God led them to victories in the past? Why did fear creep in here? If you've ever felt fear about your body not being good enough for what God asks of you, or if you've worried that your body needs to change for you to walk obediently in his will, this story should encourage and inspire you to think about things differently. You can read the whole story in Numbers 13 & 14 on Bible Gateway. Are you ready for body image coaching? If you need one-on-one help to pull you out from where you’re stuck,Heather offers sessions by the hour. On average – coaching clients make great progress in 6-8 weeks. Start by booking just one or two sessions to help you get on the right track. Learn more or book your first session here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Want more helpful resources to improve your body image? Check out: www.comparedtowho.me and sign up for the FREE 5 Day Email Challenge. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 24, 2023
Improving Body Image, Body Image Idols, and Compared to Who?
On today's show, Heather re-introduces herself, shares her story, and explains in more depth the ministry of Compared to Who? Heather tells of how God helped her overcome a lifetime battle with food, a likely eating disorder, and other body image issues. She shares how God revealed to her she had made her body image an idol and how the revelation of the body image idolatry was life-changing. Heather also shares what Compared to Who? is all about, including the resources Compared to Who? offers beyond the podcast. Heather talks about her books, her coaching opportunities, and what's ahead for the ministry of Compared to Who? Whether you've been listening to the show for years or if this is your first episode, everyone who wants to improve their body image or understand body image idols will find something interesting and encouraging in today's show. Mentioned in today's show: Join our Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024 Compared to Who? the book for Christian women who struggle with body image issues. Includes study guides for individual or group study. The Burden of Better: How a Comparison-Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace and Rest book for Christian women who wrestle comparison, includes study guides for individual or group study. You Version Bible Plans - Discover Heather's free Bible reading plans for Christian women who want to improve their body image or fight body image idolatry available on You Version (the Bible App) here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-bible-reading-youversion-the-bible-app/ Coaching: Interested in getting individualized help for your body image issues? Heather works with a limited number of clients on a one-on-one basis. Find out about Christian body image coaching to build your confidence in Christ and fight insecurity here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 21, 2023
How Do You Find Your Identity in Christ? Body Image, Identity, and Personality
Personality, identity, and image are topics that get fuzzy and blurred for many women who struggle with body image issues. We are told that we need to find our identity in Christ and root it in him, yet, it's difficult to understand how to do this. Today, Heather explores how to find our identity and build an image and identity in Christ. Today we explore the following topics: How we can create identities around the foods we eat, diets we follow, exercise programs we do, or other things that we want people to think or believe about us. How we can cling to personality labels and miss how God wants us all to pursue Christlikeness, not to create an image based on a personality type or personality traits. How building identities in our image, our body, or other false identities will always be temporary and unsatisfying. How we're not to strive to perfect our personalities or our images, but how as Christians, we are to strive for holiness and Christlikeness. We look at Paul's example from Philippians 3 and how Paul calls his resume (his old identities) garbage. Your challenge for today: Think about your identities, image, and personality -- what are you putting your hope in? Inventory and ask: What are you hoping your image will be? What are you trying to put your identity in today? How can you make your goal to strive for holiness and to desire Christlikeness above all else? Start the process by praying, "God, I'm sorry I've been trying to build an identity in these things..." Are you ready for body image coaching? If you need one-on-one help to pull you out from where you’re stuck,Heather offers sessions by the hour. On average – coaching clients make great progress in 6-8 weeks. Start by booking just one or two sessions to help you get on the right track. Learn more or book your first session here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 17, 2023
Engaging Emotions Honestly, Three Chairs Model w/Travis Stewart
Heather continues her conversation with Travis Stewart, LPC - a leader in the world of Christian eating disorder treatment. In today's episode, Heather and Travis discuss a model Travis developed to help people work through tricky emotions, thoughts, and feelings in order to process in a way that is both healthy and God-honoring. This "three chairs" model Travis developed offers a tremendous framework for us to think through the decisions and responses we have and figure out what is motivating us to respond or believe the way we do. The three chairs model includes a place for the "child self," the "survivor/coping self," and the "wise & trusting self." Travis explains each of these different places we all visit and how his Three Chairs model works to help us move from living lives out fear, demand, or me-first self-protection and into hopeful desire, bold trust in God, truth and love. Did you enjoy this episode about Engaging Emotions Honestly and the Three Chairs Model? Leave a review here. About Travis Stewart: Travis graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1991 with a degree in advertising and immediately began working with the international ministry of The Navigators, mentoring students. After 8 years, his desire to better understand how people change, and through his own experience of receiving help from a professional counselor, Travis decided to return to school. He earned a Master of Arts in Counseling (2001) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (2003), both from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Travis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. Travis has experience with a wide variety of issues which might lead people to seek out professional help. This includes special interest in helping those with compulsive and addictive behaviors such as internet and video game addiction, eating disorders, shopping addiction, and spirituality. Connect with Travis: wtravisstewart.com or reflectiveprayer.com Connect with Compared to Who? and find out about Christian body image coaching here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 14, 2023
How Personality Connects to Food/ Body Issues with Travis Stewart
Today Heather talks with Travis Stewart, a licensed professional counselor and leader in the eating disorder recovery world. Travis and Heather discuss how understanding our core needs and motivations, which some may classify as part of "personality" can help us understand our proclivity toward certain behaviors around food and body. In today's show you'll hear Heather and Travis discuss 9 self-protective strategies along with the 7 core needs of the heart (cased on work done by Mark and Debbie Laaser). See which of these needs resonate most with you and listen as Travis and Heather talk through how these may look in the life of someone struggling with body image and eating issues. 7 Core Needs of the Heart To be Heard and Understood To be Affirmed To be Blessed To be Safe To be Touched To be Chosen To be Included Share your thoughts about this episode: How Personality Connects to Food & Body Issues with Travis Stewart by leaving a review! About Travis Stewart: Travis graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1991 with a degree in advertising and immediately began working with the international ministry of The Navigators, mentoring students. After 8 years, his desire to better understand how people change, and through his own experience of receiving help from a professional counselor, Travis decided to return to school. He earned a Master of Arts in Counseling (2001) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (2003), both from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Travis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. Travis has experience with a wide variety of issues which might lead people to seek out professional help. This includes special interest in helping those with compulsive and addictive behaviors such as internet and video game addiction, eating disorders, shopping addiction, and spirituality. Connect with Travis: wtravisstewart.com or reflectiveprayer.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 10, 2023
Personality & Body Image Issues: Why We Manage Our Image
What if managing your image was about more than just your body? Have you ever felt yourself trying to manage your personality? Have you ever tried to portray an "image" of yourself that was more like your ideal than perhaps like you were actually wired? Today, Heather explores the world of personality and image. She shares her personal story of feeling like she needed a personality makeover and how she "changed her image" by becoming more out-going, but what she has learned in the decades since. Heather also references a fantastic book on image called, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain. You can learn more about this book here: https://amzn.to/3DBecsX (Amazon affiliate link). Here are some other topics covered in today's episode about personality, body image, and managing every aspect of our image: We talk about the end of character-valued culture and how a culture of personality started in the 1920s. We talk about myth of charismatic leadership – how more charismatic leaders didn’t necessarily have better results at the end of their careers. We discuss ways we may have felt pressure and responsibility to change parts of our personality image that we didn’t think matched our ideal. We briefly cover how many churches are set up for extroverts instead of introverts. We look at how God wired us all differently for His purpose and on purpose. Action: Here are some questions to consider after today's episode: In what ways have you idolized or idealized someone else’s personality? In what ways have you disparaged the way you were wired personality-wise? What if your unique personality is a gift from God equipping you for his purpose in your life? Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, February 07, 2023
Should I Be Sugar Free? Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Today Heather talks to her Intuitive Eating Coaches — Erin Todd and Char-Lee Haze from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast — about whether or not you can be “sugar-free” while practicing intuitive eating. Char-Lee lays out a framework for making authentic decisions for our health that are: purposeful, personal, and peaceful. The coaches walk Heather through a journey where she explores with them the science, scripture, and her lived experience come together so that she can make wise, God-honoring decisions for her health and her body. Here are a few other topics covered in today’s show: Should I Go Sugar-Free? Can you tell whether or not a person is healthy from looking at them? But what if you have a strong family history of diabetes? What does being responsible look like? Is the all-or-nothing approach what’s best for our bodies or our mental health? Is there such a thing as sugar addiction? What does gentle nutrition look like around sweets and sugar? Also mentioned in today’s show: Erin, Char-Lee, and Heather are participating in a lent collaboration project with other non-diet dietitians and encouragers in the food and body area. It’s called, “Losing the Lies for Lent.” Learn more and sign up to participate in this 7-week Losing the Lies for Lent journey here: https://www.forkthefoodrules.com/losing-the-lies-for-lent Use promo code: HEATHER to save! Are you ready for body image coaching? If you need one-on-one help to pull you out from where you’re stuck,Heather offers sessions by the hour. On average – coaching clients make great progress in 6-8 weeks. Start by booking just one or two sessions to help you get on the right track. Learn more or book your first session here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 31, 2023
Praying for Body Image: Tune in to Him Finale
I pray that this month-long series to help you pray for your body image and "Tune in" to God while you tune out the voices of marketers and Diet Culture has made a powerful impact in your life. Today we finish the series with a look at what's next. What should you do if you started feeling freedom? How do you stay on the road to body image freedom without falling back into hold habits and patters of behaving or thinking. Heather gives suggestions today to help you stay on track and stay connected to the only One who can truly heal our body image issues. Some suggestions from today's show to help you keep praying for your body image: Be in the God's Word every single day. This is the only way to renew our mind and change our definitions and cultural programming on topics like beauty and food. Your body image battles are not about your physical body; even models struggle. Instead, they are about what you believe and tell yourself. Only God's word can stop the lies from penetrating our hearts. If you don't know where to start with Bible reading, go to You Version and start with one of Heather's plans. Keep praying for your body image issues everyday. Consider going through last September's 30 days to pray series: Find the episodes here. https://comparedtowho.me/category/30-days-to-pray-for-body-image/ Listen to this series daily again, whenever you need it. Find every episode organized here: https://comparedtowho.me/daily-prayers-for-body-image-issues/ Go through the series again with a friend. Listen and text about what you learned or what God spoke to you each day. Read Heather's books (or read together with a friend and work through discussion questions at the end of each chapter together). Compared to Who? (Body Image Book and Workbook) and The Burden of Better (How to Live a Comparison-Free Life) Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Episodes release on Tuesdays and Fridays again starting next week. Consider coaching. If you need one-on-one help to pull you out from where you're stuck, Heather offers sessions by the hour. On average - coaching clients make great progress in 6-8 weeks. But, you can start by booking just one or two sessions to help you get on the right track. Learn more or book your first session here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Consider getting help if you think you have an eating disorder. Reach out if you need a suggestion for a non-d
Mon, January 30, 2023
Praying for Holiness: Striving for Holy in a World that Wants Hot
Today we pray that God would make us more holy. It sounds like a strange thing to pray for. But, throughout the New Testament we are encouraged to be striving for holiness. There are many things we strive for on this earth--beauty, power, money, success, love of others, acceptance, approval--but striving for these types of worldly treasures leads us to stress and burnout. It's never enough when we're chasing these worldly things. We'll never be satisfied. But, chasing holiness? That's when we have the opportunity to really let God's love, beauty, and light radiate through us. Doesn't God ask us to be more like Jesus and not more like the women we compare ourselves, too? Today, we pray for holiness – that we would crave Godly perfection, not worldly perfection. We also pray that God would give us the desire to want to be more holy and that he would help us grow in holiness so that we can beam with His light and beauty! Action Step and Verse of the Day for Praying for Holiness: Verse: Hebrews 12:14, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Action step: Listen to the "Hot or Holy" episode from last summer here: https://comparedtowho.me/holy-or-hot-how-to-make-holiness-what-we-really-desire/ Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather or check out her Christian body image book here. Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 27, 2023
Praying to Be More Loving Towards Our Bodies and Others
Today we pray to be more loving. There are many ways being more loving can help us overcome body image issues and insecurity, but today we talk about how believing and receiving God's love can help us feel more of that love so that it overflows into the way we love others and the way we treat our bodies. Loving our bodies is something talked about a lot in culture today, but I don't believe the way culture talks about it is helpful. Culture says to flaunt what you have and show your middle finger to anyone who doesn't see it. But, real love thinks about others more than self. Real love is humble. There is a way that we can love our bodies well, biblically. That is being kind to ourselves. Treating our bodies in a gentle and respectful way and speaking kindly to ourselves. Today we pray that we can have that kind of love. Verse of the Day and Action Step to Learn to Be More Loving Towards Body and Others: Verse: 1 John 1:8: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Action Step: Watch this video from Andrew Peterson with a song called, "Be Kind to Yourself" Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather or check out her Christian body image book here. Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, January 26, 2023
Praying for Grace for Your Body Image & Comparison Struggles
God gives us so much grace. When we're struggling with issues like body image or insecurity or comparison, his grace is our only cure. As Heather writes in the Burden of Better - she thought that she had a comparison problem, but what she really had was a shallow understanding of grace. If we truly understood all the different ways God's grace was at work in every aspect of our lives, we'd be free from comparison and even body image worry! It's also essential to have a good grip on grace so we can extend grace to others. What Heather often finds in her coaching is that those who have a hard time understanding and accepting God's grace for themselves have an even more difficult time authentically extending grace to others. Praying for Grace with Ourselves and with Others: Verse of the Day and Action Step Verse of the Day: Ephesians 1:3-8 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[ a ]predestined us for adoption to sonship[ b ] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding (NIV) Action Step: Dig into God's word by using a concordance or Googling verses on grace. Read the Burden of Better for a look at the 4 types of grace and how they can apply to every area of your life in which you may struggle with comparison or comparing yourself or your life to others. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, January 25, 2023
Praying for Peace With Boundaries of Your Body
Today we're talking about praying for peace with the boundaries of our bodies. One of the hardest aspects of our body image struggles may be accepting the way God made and "sized" our bodies. For some, there's frustration over height or size. For others its frustration over specific body parts. But, either way, recognizing that God made us on purpose, for a purpose, means our bodies were made with intention. Today we pray for the grace to be able to accept our bodies and even thank God for the "boundaries" he placed around the way he made us, physically. We're never commanded to "love" our bodies in the sense of giving our bodies praise and worship that is due to God. But, we are instructed to take care of our bodies and we can be thankful that our bodies are a good gift from God. Think about it, without your body - you aren't you! And, without your body, there's not a lot (that is to say, nothing) you can do here on earth. Today's episode will help shift your perspective on your body to help improve your body image! Praying for Peace with Boundaries of Your Body Verse and Action Step Verse: Psalm 16:6 ESV: The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Action step: Start thinking of one thing each day you can thank God for about your body. Thank him for eyes or legs that work or fingers that type fast. Pray and thank him daily for something new each day for the rest of this month. Looking for a great Christian body image workbook? Check out: Compared to Who? Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 24, 2023
Praying for Radiance from Psalm 34:5
Who doesn't want to be radiant? We all long to shine with a beauty that draws others to us and that those around us would describe as "radiant." While marketers promise that radiance comes from using the right skin care products, cosmetics, and beauty rituals, the Bible tells us that radiance comes from turning our faces to him. So, today in our series where we are praying every day for our body image issues, we're going to pray for this type of radiance. Today we ask God to make us radiant and make us shine with His beauty! Verse: Psalm 34:5: "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Action: Here's a video where you can watch me demonstrate and explain what to do with our mirrors: Mirror Tilt Video: Watch it here: https://youtu.be/KlYCi3QMj0o Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 23, 2023
Praying for a New View of Beauty, Body Image
Today we take time during our month-long series where we're praying for your body image issues to pray for a new view of beauty. Why do we feel compelled to try to look a certain way or be a certain "type" of beautiful? It's often because we have defined beauty the way someone else does. We may be defining beauty the way a parent or old boyfriend did. Or, we may be defining beauty the way magazines or Instagram does. But, are we defining beauty the way God does? Does God's definition of beauty even matter to us? Or, are we so sold on our own definitions of beauty--so convinced that we what we believe or "count" as beautiful is actually "beautiful" -that we right off definitions that vary from our own. Today, we explore all of that and more as we pray for a new view of beauty! Today we ask God to help us to want to be beautiful as he has asked us to be beautiful! Praying for a New View of Beauty - Verse and action steps for today: Verse: 1 Peter 3:3-4 “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Action: Remind yourself outloud that one of your beauty regiments isn’t what makes you beautiful. Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 20, 2023
Praying for a New View of Food to Help Body Image
Today we're praying for God to give us a new view of food. Some of us have feared food. Some have treated it like a savior. But the best way to interact with food is to see it as a good gift from God. God designed us to eat. He designed our bodies to run on food. And, he gave us a wide variety of food textures and flavors and a tongue and mouth that could sense them all. If we were supposed to live on manna (the kind of bread God gave the Israelites every day when they were wandering through the desert), he would not have designed our bodies this way. Neither would he have promised those Israelites that someday they'd go to a land of "milk and honey" -- implying that someday, they'd be satisfied by sweeter and richer foods! Today we pray for help in recategorizing food. We pray for help in listening to our bodies so that we can learn to eat more intuitively. We also pray for release from rules, restrictions, and mental strongholds around food. Today's Action Step and Verse for the Day Around Praying for a New View of Food Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB: Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. Action step: Write a note to God thanking him for the gift of food. Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your body image and food? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, January 19, 2023
Praying for Truth and Clarity Around Food Rules
Like we talked about yesterday, an important part of this process is seeing and believing something new about your body and your value and even food and what it’s intended for. Today we are praying for truth and clarity around food rules. What we need to remember is that there is a lot of lower case "t" truth in this world. There are lots of "truths" about what we need to eat to be healthy, what we need to do to be healthy. But if you’ve been on this planet for a few decades, you may have noticed that all of these little "t" truths tend to change. Eggs are good, eggs are bad, eggs are good… If you’re close to my age, you may remember eating low fat in the 1990s or eating Special K cereal to get “skinny” in the 1980s . . .but now, we’d be aghast to the thought of eating carbohydrates to be healthier (at the time of recording) everyone is eating Keto or low carb. These little "t" truths are always changing, always shifting. If we put our hope in them to save us and to keep us healthy, or give us a body that will keep us safe or protect us from the opinion of ourselves or of others – but chasing this small t truth will always put us in a maze with no exit. When the Bible talks about knowing the truth and the truth setting us free – like in John 8 – it’s not talking about knowing the truth of the world or the truth of the day, it’s talking about knowing Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life. If you want true freedom, you have to know him. Lean not on your own understanding -but lean on him. It is Jesus’ truth that sets us free and not the truth of the day from a YouTube influencer or some marketer selling you something. If freedom is what we seek- Jesus is the only place we can find it. Action Step and Bible Verses for Praying for Clarity and Truth Around Food Rules Bible Verse: John 8:32 – You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. and John 1:14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Action: Write a list of “truths” you’ve believed about the way you eat, health, your body – Now line these up with scripture. How many of these truths are unchangeable? Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over food and your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-b
Wed, January 18, 2023
Praying for a Healthier Relationship With Food
Are you praying for a healthier relationship with food? Are you always restricting or binging? Do you obsess over food or feel like thoughts of food run your life? Do you fear food or what food might do to you? Are you caught up in labels like "good" foods and "bad" foods? If so, today's episode is for you. For the next few days we’re going to pray for our relationship with food. Even if you don’t think food has ever been an area of struggle – you may be surprised as we go through these daily prayers. I’ve found even with clients that I’m working with for skin or other size issues beyond weight – food is often a part of the equation, even if it’s not the biggest issue they’re dealing with at that moment. Sometimes we don’t feel like food is an issue because we’re in a season of controlling it and maybe controlling it in a way that feels “successful” to us. But trust me, even if you’ve got it managed now, food issues are usually lurking there with body image issues. Today – I want us to begin to pray for peace with food. Food was never something we were supposed to have our lives revolve around. Food is not to be the greatest love of our lives, nor is it to be the greatest thorn in our flesh – Food is just food. It’s just the nourishment system God created for us to live. Decisions around food aren’t moral or spiritual most of the time. Instead, they should just be decisions about feeding our body so that it feels good and can do what we need to do to serve the Lord each day. But, many of us don’t feel peace with food. We stress about food. We refuse dinner invitations because we don’t know what will be served. We dread the holidays or birthday parties or other celebrations because of the food we’ll be “tempted” to eat. Listen to that language that we use like, "temptation," as if it’s an evil thing from the devil tempting us to sin against God. Instead, it's just some delicious piece of cake encouraging us to enjoy it’s flavors. There’s nothing about eating cake that breaks God’s laws. The only laws we are tempted to break are the laws of diet culture. We’ll talk about that more in the next few days -but today we’re going to pray for peace. Praying for a Healthier Relationship with Food Action Step and Verse Verse of the Day: Matthew 15:11, ESV, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Action: Take 10 minutes and evaluate your relationship with food. Is food the enemy? Is food dangerous? Does food consume too much of your thought life or time? Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your relationship with food? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body
Tue, January 17, 2023
Praying for Freedom From My Opinions of Myself
Yesterday we talked about praying for freedom from what others think of us, but today we're talking about praying for freedom from what we think of ourselves!! What happens when we have ideals or expectations for ourselves that we can't meet? What happens when our opinions of ourselves are crippling us or making us obsess over how we "should" be better or different? Today, Heather talks about how when we’re overly worried about our opinion of ourselves, we've placed our own opinions of ourselves in a position where they are more important than God’s opinion. Heather uses her "Book of Heather" illustration today that will help drive home how God spoke to her about finding freedom from her opinions of herself. If your biggest fear is what you think of you--or feeling disappointed in yourself--this episode is going to hit home! Praying for Freedom from My Opinions of Myself: Verse and Action Step Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:3, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself." Action Step: Get honest with yourself. Do you have a book of you: a book of rules you try to live by and often elevate to a standard higher than God's? Ask God to help him elevate HIS opinion of you above your opinion of yourself! Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over your opinions of yourself? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 16, 2023
Praying for Freedom from Opinion of Others, Approval, Body Image
Today in our month-long series where we are praying for your body image, we pray for protection from the opinions of others (or approval) related to our body image. Worrying about what others will think of your body is a type of fear. For some, we fear the opinion of parents – mom or dad's opinion of your body has always heavily influenced your own opinion of your body. If mom doesn’t think you look good, you can’t think you look good. For others, we fear the opinion of friends, exes, or "everyone." What would it be like to be free from the opinion of others? What would it mean to genuinely believe that your Father is the creator of the universe--the most important opinion in the whole world–and that he loves and accepts you so no one else’s opinion matters as much as his. In my book, Compared to Who?, I talk about how it must feel to be one of the royal children in England or how it would be to be a President’s daughter. At some level, I think you’d feel confident and somewhat important just by nature of birth. As scripture reminds us, we are adopted children of God. Because of who your father is, you are important and valuable, no matter what anyone else says or thinks. Again, this doesn’t free us to act unkindly. We still must love others even those who aren’t kind to us. But we can act confidently even when we disappoint others because we are not bound to live by their opinions of us. Today's Verse and Action Step for Praying for Protection from the Opinions of Others and our Body Image Today's Verse: Proverbs 29:25: Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Today's Action Step: Be aware! Who are you trying to please? Whose thoughts about your body are still influencing your thoughts about your body? Pray about it and see what God reveals to you. Then, ask him to help free you from their opinions. Ready to get free this year and stop stressing over the opinions of othersabout your body? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.co
Fri, January 13, 2023
Praying for Protection from Condemnation and Body Image Issues
Like shame – condemnation can weigh heavy on us. Condemnation can shout loudly at us when we eat something culture says is bad or if we don’t do something we thought we should or were supposed to do or if we miss a workout, or if we didn’t lose the X number of pounds we resolved to lose last year! There are many opportunities for condemnation to join shame and scream at us that we’re doing something terrible. But, as I’ve worked with clients over the years, I’ve noticed it’s hard for us not to side with condemnation – we think of condemnation as that mean personal trainer for the gym who is making us work hard, but it’s actually for our own good. But, there is no condemnation that is for our good. Condemnation’s purpose is to kill us, to steal the life from us, to destroy our joy. Condemnation is not from the Lord. It’s from the devil. I did an episode last year about condemnation versus conviction. When the Holy Spirit wants us to change a behavior or to correct our ways after doing something that violates God’s law – he will tell us- But the Holy spirit’s conviction is very specific and loving – he is trying to guide us in a way that leads back to him – not scream us into a pit of depression and self-loathing. Verse: Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Action: Listen to condemnation versus conviction episode so you can learn to tell the difference. https://comparedtowho.me/condemnation-vs-conviction-win-the-mental-body-image-battle/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, January 12, 2023
Praying for Protection from Shame and Body Image Issues
Shame is what keeps us afraid and hiding around our body image issues. When we’re embarrassed, we will do anything to cover our shame. Sometimes it seems like the easiest route to covering our shame would be to "get" the body/outside appearance that we want so we will be safe from condemnation or the opinions of others. But, shame is deeper than our skin. What often happens is that we may have a successful physical transformation, but the shame remains. Then it feels even more hopeless because what was supposed to take our shame away didn’t work. The only one who can take away our shame is Jesus. No matter how much you’ve been bullied by yourself or others for your body – no matter how much shame you feel about your body or your eating disorder or anything in your past – Jesus is the only one who can take away the shame. Verse and Action Step related to Praying for Protection from Shame About Body Image Verse of the Day: Romans 10:11 – Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. Action: Share with a friend (a trusted friend, your husband, a mentor--must be someone you can trust) what you've been struggling with and how you've felt shame. You don't have to share details. Only share what you want. If you don't have anyone to share with - drop me an email at Heather @ compared to who (dot) me. Want more of Heather’s story? Read Heather’s book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather’s 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year and tired of the lies? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at
Wed, January 11, 2023
Praying for Protection from Lies Around Body Image Issues
Christian Body Image Coach, Heather Creekmore, has never worked with a client who didn’t have a soundtrack of lies that she listened to regularly. Lies rage and tell these women they are lazy, ugly, not good enough, or should feel ashamed. Today we talk about the lies -- how easy they are to listen to and how important it is to block them out after you identify them. Most of us will say things to ourselves that we would never say out loud to someone else. One challenge for many of us is we gaslight ourselves into believing the lies. We’ve heard these lies for so long that we don’t challenge them anymore, they’ve become part of our identity. They become truths that we’ve just come to accept about ourselves. But they are not the truth. They are lies! Today in our Tune Into Him Body Image Prayer series, we talk about the first step in identifying the lies and we pray for protection from the bombardment of lies that the enemy sends. Verse and Action Step related to Praying for Protection from Fear Around Body Image Verse of the Day: John 8:44 reveals Satan’s character as a liar- the father of lies. We don’t have to listen to Satan or his lies. "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Action: Start a lies list – what are the lies you hear about your body, your worth, your eating? Write them down -this helps you see clearly that they are lies. Want more of Heather’s story? Read Heather’s book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather’s 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian
Tue, January 10, 2023
Praying for Protection from Fear Around Body Image
Most who struggle with body image and eating issues struggle with fear at some level. We may not call it that. We may call it "diligence" or "perfectionism" or "anxiety" or "body worry," but under it all is fear. We’re afraid of the opinions of others, we’re afraid of being unaccepted or misunderstood, and we’re afraid that if we don’t try our hardest to do everything just right then things will go wrong and it will be all our fault. We are overly responsible for ourselves and perhaps for others around us too. And, this feeds our fear. We maintain this posture of hyper vigilance, hoping that being super aware and super responsible will somehow keep us safe. But, as we know from scripture – worry doesn’t keep us safe. Jesus asks in Matthew -who of us can gain a single hour of our life by worrying about it. Worrying about our bodies, our size, every morsel of food that goes into our mouths doesn’t make us any safer. In fact, studies show that the more we worry – the harder it is on our bodies. Stress is a bigger contributor to all diseases than sugar. Today, we pray for protection from that fear. We do our best and then we trust God with the rest. But our best in the area of food and body–stewarding our bodies well–does not mean we have to follow the advice of every latest influencer. We’ll drive ourselves bonkers trying to incorporate every guru's tips to a healthier life. Instead, to become good stewards, I think we need to become better students –not taking care of our bodies the way that everyone else says we should--but listening to and paying attention to what makes our bodies feel good and what helps us feel fit to serve Jesus without fear of the number on the scale or fear that we aren’t doing it right. Verse and Action Step related to Praying for Protection from Fear Around Body Image Verse of the Day: 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." Action: Write down 5 things you are afraid of. Ask God to help you with thos fears today and begin to pray specifically that God would help you to not be afraid of those things every day this week. Want more of Heather’s story? Read Heather’s book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather’s 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image <
Mon, January 09, 2023
Daily Prayer for Your Body Image Series: Praying for Renewed Mind
Today our body image prayer is focused on praying to renew our mind. It’s really important that we understand that this battle with our body image, with food, with the way we look, what we weigh, what size we are, what our skin looks like – these are not battles with the mirror, the scale or public opinion of our bodies – these are battles in our mind and in our hearts. The battle is between what we choose to believe is important, what we choose to believe makes us valuable, loveable, and gives us worth. This world has programmed our brains – the diet culture – parents, family members, friends, to think about food and body in a certain way. Renewing our minds is an activity we must embark on daily--even hourly--so that we can think about our bodies and our worth in the way God wants us to. Today's verse and action step for a renewed mind: Today's Verse is Romans 12:1-2 : "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Action Step: Read Romans 12:1-2 and memorize it! Ready to get in the Word everyday? Try Heather's 10 Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year and renew your mind? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 06, 2023
Praying Daily for Our Body Image Issues: Prayer for Freedom
Food and body image issues can be confusing and distracting so in today's daily prayer we pray for freedom. One of Heather's biggest struggles was to know who she was serving. The temptation from Diet Culture and messages all around was to serve her body and herself and listen to the god (little g) god of body image and appearance who said that if she looked a certain way, then she would be free. Today, Heather digs into what scripture says about the pull to serve a different master and how recognizing this pull was a pivotal part of her freedom journey. Today's verse and action step: Today's verse: Luke 16:13, "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Action: Look over your calendar and bank account statements and make an honest assessment of how you spend your time and money. Does your spending look different from how someone who’s not a Christ follower lives or spends? What can you do to allocate your time and money differently, so it’s clear who you serve? Want more of Heather's story? Read Heather's book, Compared to Who? Start reading the first two chapters free here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready to start reading the Bible more? Try Heather's 10-Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, January 05, 2023
Pray Daily for Body Image: Prayer for Consistency
We often think about the word consistency in a dieting context. "If I could just be consistent. . . " Or, "if I could just eat only these foods and not these foods or if I could just work out every day . . ." If you’re like me, at the beginning of a new season, I feel like I have all this willpower to do things every single day! Then by day 14 or 15, my willpower runs out. I feel guilt and shame, and I wonder what’s wrong with me that I can’t be consistent! Today Heather encourages you that the type of consistency you need most if you want to improve your body image is consistency in your bible reading and prayer life. Unless you are regularly being fed the truth of scripture – it will be difficult not to believe the lies of this world about your value and your worth. This applies to every part of a struggle with insecurity, food, eating disorders, and other things we battle. Without arming ourselves with the truth of scripture every morning, it is hard to defeat the lies and negative thoughts. Today's Verse and Action Step: Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58 – "Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." Today's Action: Start a new Bible plan – make a commitment that you won’t check your social media or email until you’ve read some scripture each day. If you need one to start with, try Heather's 10 Day Bible Reading plan on You Version here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29320-compared-to-who-a-10-day-plan-to-improvebody-image Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, January 04, 2023
Pray Every Day Series: Praying for Strength in Body Issues
Today we pray for strength. Food, eating, and body image struggles are real. But God's word encourages us that we don't have to fight them alone. We can be strong because of who is helping us. Today, we talk about how to invite God to help us with these issues and how to let him lead and guide each day. The world wants to tell you that you’ll get stronger when you accomplish your goals or when you follow the plan perfectly, but that’s not God’s prescription. He says strength comes when we rely entirely on Him. He enables us. He empowers us. If you’re hoping to meet some physical/body-related goals this year, know that putting serving God above serving your body is the best way to find strength. Today's Verse and Action Step: Verse: Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Action: 5 push-ups a day of any kind (standing and leaning against a wall, knees down, regular push-ups). Memorize Isaiah 41:10 and recite it while you do your push-ups each morning or evening or while you’re cooking dinner or getting dressed for the day. Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 03, 2023
Pray Every Day Series: Praying for Faith Body Image Can Improve
Today we continue our "Tune in to Him" daily prayer series with a prayer for faith. Have you ever felt like things could never get better? Have you tried SO many different things to improve your body image that it almost feels like a lost cause? Perhaps you are trying to muster some faith right now that this year could be different, but, deep down, you still wonder if things can ever change. Today Heather guides you on a prayer to help build your faith. God can do ALL things. All things are possible with him. But, he doesn't want to just fix your body or get you to your weight loss goals. Instead, God wants to heal your heart. He wants to help you draw closer to Him and know that what He says about your worth and value is true. If you're ready to see your faith build, listen to this prayer and invite a friend to listen too so that you can discuss it together. Every day this series will contain an action step and a verse. Today's are below. Verse of the day: Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope forand assurance about what we do not see." Action step: Write this verse on a card and put it somewhere you can read it every day this week for daily encouragement. Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 02, 2023
January Tune in to Him Daily Prayer Series for Body Image and Eating Issues
This month we'll be spending every weekday praying for issues related to body image and comparison issues. January is the time when everything and everyone around us beckons for us to tune in to their way to be "better" in the new year. Through this series, Heather encourages you to focus on deepening our trust for the only One who can truly make us better. We'll spend a few minutes each day talking and praying for issues like fear, trust, health, food, and more. Invite a friend to listen along so you can have a partner for this journey towards body image and food freedom. Heather shares how she used to believe that God cared about what she did, but that her "body issues" were her's to tackle alone. Now, she sees how deeply God cares about us and the bodies he created for us, and how we can trust him to help, lead, and guide us in the care of these bodies--without relying on the ever-fluctuating messages of culture to tell us what is best. Today's Prayer for Your Body Image, Health, and Food Issues In today's episode, Heather reads the Francois de Fenolon, Prayer of Surrender. Feel free to print this out and read it every day to encourage your journey! Prayer of surrender to start your day: Dear Lord Jesus, it is my will to surrender to you everything that I am and everything that I'm striving to be. I open the deepest recesses of my heart and invite your Holy Spirit to dwell inside of me. I offer you my life, heart, mind, body, soul, spirit, all my hopes, plans, and dreams. I surrender to you my past, present, and future problems, habits, character defects, attitudes, livelihood, resources, finances, medical coverage, occupation, and all my relationships. I give you my health, physical appearance, disabilities, family, marriage, children, and friendships. I ask you to take Lordship over every aspect for my life. I surrender to you all my hurt, pain, worry, doubt, fear, and anxiety, and I ask you to wash me clean. I release everything into your compassionate care. Please speak to me clearly, Lord. Open my ears to hear your voice. Open my heart to commune with you more deeply. I want to feel your loving embrace. Open the doors that need to be opened and close the doors that need to be closed. Please set my feet upon the straight and narrow road that leads to everlasting life. Amen (Prayer by Francois De Fenelon 1651-1715) Ready to get free this year? Try Christian Body Image Coaching with Heather. Learn more about group coaching which begins January 23rd here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching/ Grab an individual, one-on-one coaching appointment or preview appointment here: Christian Body Image Coaching or https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-i
Tue, November 29, 2022
5 Things I Learned About Body Image and Food Issues This Year
I’m constantly learning new things and trying to share them with you as often as possible. While writing two new books this summer, I’ve spent time studying, learning, and uncovering new concepts around body image issues, why we struggle, food issues, eating disorders, intuitive eating, fasting, feasting, and so much more. In this episode, I discuss 5 things I’ve learned about body image issues and food issues in 2022: 1. My Opinion of Myself and My Body is Not What's Most Important. This topic has come up with many clients this year and as I've dug into it more, I recognize this as one of the hardest aspects of overcoming body image issues. How do I let go of my own opinions of myself and my body? We dig into the realities here. Episodes referenced: https://comparedtowho.me/letting-go-of-the-need-to-always-be-right/ https://comparedtowho.me/help-my-husband-hates-my-body-featuring-dr-juli-slattery/ 2. We've Lost the Meaning and Purpose of Fasting. When Amy Carlson, eating disorder specialist and non-diet dietitian, and I dug into the Daniel Fast, you'd never believe what we found. Did you know that Daniel and his friends were fatter after their fast? It seems like the church has used Daniel's fast as a pattern to thinness--but what if we've distorted what fasting is really about and blended it with diet culture's rules that we should all look thinner? Episodes referenced: https://comparedtowho.me/should-i-fast-if-i-had-an-eating-disorder-a-look-at-fasting/ https://comparedtowho.me/feasting-and-fasting-with-erin-davis/ 3. Aging is Real. But, the reasons we struggle with it may not be. As I wrote on the topic of aging this summer, God showed me a number of things that were playing into my struggle. Episodes on this topic: https://comparedtowho.me/feeling-awkward-around-food-and-aging/ 4. Lessons from the Models: Those Who Look to the Lord Become Radiant (Psalm 34:5). You'll enjoy the story of how scripture came to life for one of the models I interviewed in a series last Spring. Also, check out the other model interviews they were revealing--models still struggle with body image issues! Episodes referen
Fri, November 25, 2022
Shopping & Your Body Image
In today's Black Friday episode of the show, Heather talks about the connection between body image issues and shopping! If you've ever found yourself trying to soothe your body image frustration through buying clothes or buying things . . .you're not alone. Today's show offers practical tips for getting our shopping habits under control. There's nothing wrong with enjoying shopping, but if we believe we can buy our way out of our body image issues-it won't work as we hope it. Also, today Heather shares some of her favorite things that--if you are shopping--you may want to add to your Christmas list. Heather's Favorite Things List **Links are Amazon affiliate links - a tiny portion of your purchase support Compared to Who?** Fun products for you! Amazon cool neck ring for getting ready, hot flashes, and summer: https://amzn.to/3O8mxsd Heather's favorite top! Check out this Dolman short sleeve top that covers and flatters: https://amzn.to/3Obi3B2 Heather's favorite nightgown: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JC28Z84?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=comparedtowho-20&linkId=e193a63d6afc6a3b55594f316b5625dc&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl Fascia Blaster tool Heather loves: https://amzn.to/3X8yty7 and the moisturizing oil that goes with it: https://amzn.to/3Al9o9u Heather's favorite kitchen gadget, this cool little strawberry huller: https://amzn.to/3TKoFHE Heather's favorite supplement for cold and flu season: https://amzn.to/3UJGbwY Heather's favorite beauty gadget, this little trimmer for brows, nose, and chin: https://amzn.to/3UGQAd3 Heather's favorite affordable, cool, and soft sheet set: https://amzn.to/3AkjVl4 Heather's favorite smart watch band: https://amzn.to/3tC5SUg Try the Shopping Services Heather Mentioned Try StitchFix and get a $25 credit:
Tue, November 22, 2022
Gentle Nutrition, Intuitive Eating & the Holidays: IE Coaching Call
Today Heather is joined by her Intuitive Eating coaches, Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel as they discuss navigating the holidays and more. Heather shares how last year she was in the "honeymoon" phase of Intuitive Eating during the holidays and how this year feels a little different. The group discusses how to incorporate the principles of gentle nutrition with the freedom to enjoy all foods. They also discuss the myth that "eating nutritiously" always means having a culturally-appreciated small body. If you're looking for help with how to give yourself permission to have a healthy relationship with food during the coming holiday season, this episode will encourage and inspire you. It's a must-listen before your holiday celebrations! Ready to become an intuitive eater and enjoy the holidays? Listen to other Intuitive Eating Coaching Calls here: https://comparedtowho.me/category/intuitive-eating-for-christian-women/ Learn more about Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel at: www.intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com and find their podcast there! Connect with Char-Lee for intuitive eating or food-related coaching help: https://intuitivewellnessprograms.mykajabi.com Ready for Body Image Coaching? Get Free This Holiday Season: Connect with Compared to Who? at www.comparedtowho.me and find out about coaching options there! Today’s show features an ad from this month’s sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Listen to the episode here: https://comparedtowho.me/?p=73364 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 18, 2022
Feasting & Fasting with Erin Davis Part 2
Today, Heather is joined by Erin Davis, an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster who has a new book out on Feasting and Fasting. In part two of this interview, Erin talks about feasting and how God created food as a good gift for his people. She shares how God has used food to show her his goodness and how healing our relationship with food is important. Erin and Heather also talk about how God will throw us a feast in heaven someday, great evidence that God isn't against food and wants to bless us with and through it. About Erin Davis: Erin is a writer and teacher passionately committed to getting women of all ages to the deep well of God's Word. She is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, including Connected, 7 Feasts , and Fasting & Feasting. Erin serves as the content director for Revive Our Hearts and hosts the Women of the Bible podcast and Grounded videocast. Hear her teach on The Deep Well with Erin Davis podcast. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest. Learn more about Erin Davis: http://www.erindavis.org Learn more about Erin's new book on Feasting and Fasting: Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3ULbDuy ** Ready to learn more about Compared to Who? Sign up for the free 5 Day Email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Today’s show also features an ad from this month’s sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this fantastic program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 15, 2022
Feasting and Fasting with Erin Davis
Today's guest is Erin Davis. Erin is an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster who has a new book out on Feasting and Fasting. Today is part one of my interview with Erin where we talk about her own journey with an eating disorder in college. We also talk about how God has touched Erin's relationship with food through a deep dive through scripture. This led Erin to explore how often God encourages his followers to feast and celebrate his goodness and to fast and seek His face. In this episode, we talk about Erin's experience with fasting and how God has used it to draw him closer to her and to help her surrender areas of self-focus in her life. **Disclaimers: If you have an eating disorder or are recovering or recovered from an eating disorder, the fasting Erin talks about in this episode may not be suitable for you at this point in your journey. Please seek wise counsel from an eating disorder specialist if you are unsure. Fasting for weight loss reasons is dieting, not biblical fasting. Though we didn't mention it in this episode, there are also many medical reasons why you may need to fast differently for the health of your body. About Erin Davis: Erin is a writer and teacher passionately committed to getting women of all ages to the deep well of God's Word. She is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, including Connected, 7 Feasts , and Fasting & Feasting. Erin serves as the content director for Revive Our Hearts and hosts the Women of the Bible podcast and Grounded videocast. Hear her teach on The Deep Well with Erin Davis podcast. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest. Learn more about Erin Davis: http://www.erindavis.org Learn more about Erin's new book on Feasting and Fasting: Purchase here: https://amzn.to/3ULbDuy ** Ready to learn more about Compared to Who? Sign up for the free 5 Day Email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Today’s show also features an ad from this month’s sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this fantastic program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen
Fri, November 11, 2022
Tara's Story of Body Image Coaching (Part 2)
Heather’s guest is a former client and new Facebook community manager, Tara Rothwell. Tara shares her story of fighting with food, body image issues, and other addictions. In today's episode, Tara shares about her experience in Heather’s group coaching program and how that has changed her body image issues and how his change has spilled over into other parts of her life, and brought positive change there too. Tara talks about how nervous she was to try group coaching, how she wondered if it could really work, and how God walked her on an amazing journey to a new place of body image freedom she never believed was possible. Tara also shares about the good friends she met on her coaching journey. Heather and Tara talk through how body image coaching can get you through awkward times in life-like trying on clothes at Target-and how Heather helped Tara through an emotionally tough spot. Tara is our brand new Facebook group community manager. If you're looking for a place to connect with other Christian women who are struggling with body image and comparison issues the same way you are, Tara will be facilitating conversations in this group. Join today! Join the brand new Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024 Learn more about body image coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching Have you signed up for the FREE 5 Day Email Challenge yet? Sign up here. Today’s show also features an ad from this month’s sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.
Tue, November 08, 2022
I've Tried Everything: Tara's Story
Today Heather's guest is former client and new Facebook community manager, Tara Rothwell. Tara shares her story of fighting with food, body image issues, and other additions and her testimony of how Jesus has walked beside her through tough times to bring her closer to him. This is part one of a two-part episode. Today, is Tara's testimony and in part two on Friday, Tara shares about her experience in Heather's group coaching program and how that has changed her body image issues and how his change has spilled over into other parts of her life, and brought positive change there too. Learn more about coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching Today’s show also features an ad from this month’s sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 04, 2022
OCD, Narcissism, Eating Disorders, & Body Image
Today my guest is Dr. Michelle Bengtson, a board-certified neuropsychologist, author, speaker and podcast host. Dr. B and Heather discuss the connection between OCD and eating disorders and body image issues. They also dig into the effect a narcissist parent, coach, or romantic partner may have on body image issues and eating disorder issues. Other topics covered in today's episode include: Why do we need to control things? How anxiety connects to OCD and eating disorders, orthorexia and its connection to OCD, along with how to spot a narcissist or recognize the narcissistic influence. This is one episode you don't want to miss. Do you have OCD and body image issues? Has narcissism played a role in your body image issues? Send a message and tell us your story! Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson here: https://drmichellebengtson.com Learn more about Dr. B's new book: Today is a Good Day here: Today is Going to Be a Good Day Book (Amazon affiliate link). Listen to Dr. B's Podcast: Your Hope-Filled Perspective here. Ready for coaching? Learn more about coaching options or connect with Heather for a free 10 minute call to see if coaching is right for you! Learn more here: Christian Body Image Coaching Want to learn more about Compared to Who? or take the free 5-Day Body Image Email Challenge? Sign up here: 5-Day Email Challenge [podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/24888426/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/fa3a3a/" width="100%" scrolling="no" class="podcast-class" frameborder="0" placement="bottom" primary_content_url="http://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/Michelle_B_Narcissism_OCD.mp3" libsyn_item_id="24888426" height="90" theme="custom" custom_color="fa3a3a" player_use_thumbnail="use_thumbnail" use_download_link="use_download_link" download_link_text="Click here to download!" /] https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/Michelle_B_Narcissism_OCD.mp3 Today’s show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler.
Tue, November 01, 2022
Romans 14: Good Foods and Bad Foods? Part 2
This is part two of a two part interview with one of our favorite non-diet dietitians and eating disorder specialists, Amy Carlson. Today, Amy and Heather look at Romans 14 and what God has to say about food rules. In the passage, Paul breaks down how some of the Christian Jews still feel obligated to follow Jewish food rules. He also talks about how we can, in the most loving way possible, interact with people who keep food rules and how to refrain from judging or causing division among ourselves around food issues. There are many practical applications from this passage in Romans 14 for those of us who live in a culture where eating a certain way is also important to social status or can cause others to judge. Take a listen to the similarities and let us know what you think! Romans 14 is truly a passage where Christians can learn how to love each other well and take their focus off the good foods and bad foods to share the table Jesus sets before us. Learn more about Amy Carlson at: www.hellopeacewithfood.com Sign up for the free 5 day body image email challenge at: https://www.comparedtowho.me Today’s episode was sponsored by: Tighten Your Tinkler! Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/Amy_carlson_Letting_Go_of__good_food_bad_food_part_2.mp3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 31, 2022
Letting Go of "Good" and "Bad" Food Labels Featuring Amy Carlson
This is part one of a two part interview with one of our favorite non-diet dietitians and eating disorder specialists, Amy Carlson. Amy and Heather tackle the topics of good foods and bad foods from a biblical perspective. They dig into Romans 14 where Paul addresses the distinctions the believers in Rome have in the ways they eat and what they abstain from eating. Amy and Heather break down applications from this passage to our modern day food rules and labels. You will be amazed at how much scripture has to say about what we can eat and how we can make the most God-honoring choices around food. Do you struggle not to think in terms of "good foods" or "bad foods"? Modern food rules are man-made rules, based on scientific "truths" that are constantly changing or being disproven. Only God's Truth remains the same. As we consider how to best care for our bodies, remembering that God's Truth reigns supreme gives us the freedom to make wise choices based on how God created us, not what diet fad seems to be "working" for people we know. Heather and Amy break down what God says about our eating versus what culture calls good and bad foods today! Learn more about Amy Carlson and the Peace with Food app here: www.hellopeacewithfood.com Today’s show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/Amy_Carlson_good_food_bad_food_part_1.mp3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 25, 2022
Letting Go of the Number on the Scale: IE Coaching Call
Today's Intuitive Eating coaching call Heather and her coaches talk about the real challenge of getting over that number on the scale. Heather talks about how a medical procedure recently forced her to see that number, after not weighing for a while, and how she's wrestled with the power that number holds. The trio talks about what we attach to that number, what health really is (beyond a number on a scale) and how to separate identity from a number on the box (that no one knows anyway)! If you're looking for encouragement to detach from the number on the scale, this intuitive eating coaching call is for you. Do you struggle with the scale? https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/IE_coaching_October_Weight.mp3 Learn more about Heather's body image coaching at www.comparedtowho.me. If you're tired of being tied to the scale or are stressed about your size with the holidays coming up grab a time for a coaching call. Learn more about Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel on the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast here and check out Char-Lee's coaching options here: https://charleecassel.com/work-with-me/ Today's episode was sponsored by: Tighten Your Tinkler! Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 21, 2022
Letting Go of Clothes That Don't Fit
If you're like me, there may be some items hanging out in your closet that no longer fit. Why do we hang on to these clothes? What's really going on in our heads and our hearts that keeps us from saying "adios" to something that's no longer right for our bodies? Today, Heather tackles the tough topic of why we hang on to clothes that don't fit and how to process, in an emotionally healthy way, breaking up with that ideal or former clothing size. If you're hoping your body will someday fit the clothes again or waiting to get new clothes until you've "earned it" through getting to a different size or shape, friend, you're not alone. But, know that there's a much more comfortable way to live. Wearing clothes that fit you and you feel good in is not a privilege you have to earn. You'll be amazed at how good you feel when you have a closet with clothing options that you enjoy putting on rather than clothes that cause you shame. https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/letting_go_of_clothes_that_dont_fit.mp3 Love this topic? Check out these other episodes and related posts: Podcast: 3 Reasons To Get Rid of Those Clothes That Don’t Fit Getting Rid of Clothes That Don’t Fit: Do They Hurt Body Image? Why Is It So Hard to Get Rid of Clothes That Don’t Fit? Podcast: Body Image, Comparison and Clutter at Home? An Interview with Organizer Dana White, A Slob Comes Clean Are you ready for some personalized help for your body image issues? Reach out?
Tue, October 18, 2022
Letting Go of Expectations for My Life Part 2
Today Heather's friend, Jeanette Henriques continues sharing her testimony of struggling with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and facing various other life trials. Jeanette became a ward of the state of Texas as child, was in and out of eating disorder treatment fifty times, and has faced numerous health trials. In fact, at the time of this interview, Jeanette is on hospice because of the severity of her health struggles. Yet, through it all, Jeanette sees and acknowledges God's faithfulness. She spent many years professionally helping women who struggled with disordered eating and eating disorders. In this second part of a two-part interview, Jeanette and Heather talk about what how Jeanette has had to let go of what she expected her life to look like and learn to trust God in all things. She has a beautiful story of how God has made her new and been faithful through all of her trials. If you want to thank Jeanette for sharing her story or let her know how it touched you, can connect with Jeanette on Instagram or on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/jeanette.henriques https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/Jeanette_Part_2_Interview.mp3 Want to learn more about Compared to Who? Sign up for the free, 5-Day Body Image Email Challenge here: 5 day email challenge Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 14, 2022
Letting Go of My Expectations for My Life
Today Heather's friend, Jeanette Henriques shares her powerful testimony of struggling with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and facing various other life trials. Jeanette became a ward of the state of Texas as child, was in and out of eating disorder treatment fifty times, and has faced numerous health trials. In fact, at the time of this interview, Jeanette is on hospice because of the severity of her health struggles. Yet, through it all, Jeanette sees and acknowledges God's faithfulness. She spent many years professionally helping women who struggled with disordered eating and eating disorders. In this first part of a two-part interview, Jeanette and Heather talk about what Jeanette's eating disorder looked like and how many people who don't "look like" they have an eating disorder may still be struggling. They discuss how Jeanette finally broke free from the bondage of her eating disorders, and Jeanette shares some powerful truths for listeners who may be traveling a similarly difficult journey. Jeanette's takeaway, as she shares in part two of this interview, is that she's had to let go of what she expected her life to look like and learn to trust God in all things. She has a beautiful story of how God has made her new and been faithful through all of her trials. If you want to thank Jeanette for sharing her story or let her know how it touched you, can connect with Jeanette on Instagram or on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/jeanette.henriques https://chrt.fm/track/5F8768/traffic.libsyn.com/comparedtowho/Jeanette_Interview_Part_1.mp3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 11, 2022
Letting Go of Culture's Beauty Standards
How do we live in the world but not of it when it comes to beauty and standards of beauty? Have the standards of what the world calls beautiful subtly affected our own definitions of beauty? Today Heather talks about the history of beauty standards, including the history of foot-binding in China. Heather talks about what this beauty practice did to the girls and women of that nation over the course of hundreds of years and how some of the beauty practices we have in the U.S. may bind and cripple us in similar ways. Heather also shares the story of an amazing missionary named Gladys Alyward, who went to China to share the gospel and unbind women's feet. If you feel caught up defining beauty the way the world does instead of the way the Word does, this episode will encourage and inspire you. Learn more about the mission and work of Compared to Who? here: www.comparedtowho.me Join the conversation in the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/comparedtowho Have you read the Burden of Better yet ? https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 07, 2022
Letting Go of the Need to Always Be Right
My guest today is author Brittany Ann from Equipping Godly Women . Brittany joins me today for a conversation about the need to always be right! Do you always have to be right? Do you stew and stress if you feel like others are getting it "wrong"? Do you like to have the last word? If being right is important to you, take a listen to today's episode. Brittany and Heather discuss the ways always having to be right affects relationships, how to know when it's important to fight for truth and when it's not, and what it costs to always be right! Also, Brittany shares about her new book, Follow God's Will that releases this month! (Amazon Affiliate link) Learn more about Brittany Ann and Equipping Godly Women here: www.equippinggodlywomen.com If you like to always be right, this episode may encourage you. Listen to Brittany's other interview on the Compared to Who? show here: Podcast: Falling in Love with God’s Word with Author Brittany Ann Ready to connect with Compared to Who? Join the FREE 5-Day email challenge here: www.comparedtowho.me Need coaching for your body image and comparison frustration? Check out coaching options here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 04, 2022
Letting Go of People Pleasing with Karen Ehman
Today's show features best-selling author and Proverbs 31 speaker Karen Ehman. Karen and Heather talk about people pleasing, why we do it, how it hurts us, and how to know when we're doing it. If you're afraid to say no or feel stuck in a people-pleasing rut, today's episode is for you! Karen shares her story of people pleasing and how her childhood family dynamics contributed to her tendency to work for others' approval. Karen also tells how God asked her to pause from everything she did to serve in various ways. Karen candidly shares the way friends reacted when she stopped doing some of what she'd always done. She also shares what God taught her about her value, worth, and identity through this exercise. People pleasing doesn't have to bog you down. Listen and learn from the wisdom Karen shares. Karen Ehman is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and New York Times bestselling author. Described as profoundly practical, engagingly funny, and downright real, her passion is to help women to live their priorities and love their lives as they serve God and others. She loves coconut and dark chocolate, sharpened Ticonderoga #2 pencils, and she considers it an honor to tell others about the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. Learn more about Karen here: https://karenehman.com/ Ready to be done with people pleasing? Check out Karen's book on people pleasing called, When Making Others Happy is Making You Miserable here (Amazon affiliate link). Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Need more help on your body image journey? Check out coaching options here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ https://karenehman.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 30, 2022
Lies We Believe: I Will Never Feel Better About My Body
Have you been struggling with body image so long that you've convinced yourself there is no way out? Or, maybe you feel like you've tried everything to make the pain go away, but nothing seems to work. Feel like you will "never be better" is a feeling of hopelessness. The frustration is real. On today's show, Heather unpacks the lie that there is no hope or that you'll have to feel bad about your body forever. No matter what your size or age, body image issues are real among most women. But, there is great hope that you can change your heart and your mind about your body, your value, and your worth- even if you don't change the way your body looks. If you're tired of listening to the lie that you'll never be free and never feel better, today's show is for you. If you feel like you need more individualized help in this area, reach out to Heather at heather@comparedtowho.me to discuss coaching options. Or, learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: www.comparedtowho.me Today’s show also features an ad from this month's sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 27, 2022
Lies We Believe: Self Love Solves It
Today's lie is a common one. We're constantly told by the culture that if we just loved ourselves more, we wouldn't struggle with body image issues. More self-love (or self-esteem) would free us from the pain of not liking ourselves. It's as if there is some magic switch that can flip, and suddenly, we love ourselves and don't hurt anymore. But it's just not true. Self love isn't an actual path to freedom. And, even if it were, it's not the path that aligns with the Gospel or scripture. Today Heather talks about how we all long to be free from the shame and insecurity we feel around our bodies. But, how loving ourselves is a path away from seeing our need for a Savior to cover our shame and is, instead, trying to cover our shame ourselves. If you've ever said, "I just need more self love" today's show is for you! We also look at 2 Corinthians 2 and talk about how Paul instructs the Corinthians not to compare themselves to themselves or to commend themselves. These are helpful instructions as we think about determining, for ourselves, that we are good enough. Scripture instructs us to find our value and our worth in Christ. Learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: https://wwwimprovebodyimage.com Grab a free sample of Heather's book, "Compared to Who?" here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image Today’s show also features an ad from this month's sponsor: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 23, 2022
Do People Think I Don't Care About Health? Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
On today's Intuitive Eating coaching call, Heather and her coaches, Char-Lee Cassel and Erin Todd of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast, talk about how we stress over what other people think of us as we back away from dieting and grow more comfortable with food freedom. Our conversation goes many directions as we explore topics like: How do you talk to a friend who has been told that she has to lose weight for health reasons? How can we stay humble and not get prideful in believing we "know" a better answer than others? How can we truly learn not to worry about what other people think of us as we change size or shape? We discuss why weight loss does not meet the guidelines for a "sound" prescription, yet it's still given out like the cure-all pill. We also discuss how even the church has gotten this confused and spent too much time promoting health as a certain body type. Listen to today's conversation and let us know what you think! Here's a link to Erin Todd's Litany of Humility - A Prayer for Dieter's that was read at the end of today's show: https://erinltodd.com/a-former-dieters-prayer-for-humility/ Do People Think I Don't Care About My Health? Has This Ever Been a Concern For You? Post your thoughts in our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/comparedtowho Today's show is sponsored by: Tighten Your Tinkler! Pelvic floor weakness is connected to everything from bunions to back pain to those embarrassing little leaks you may get when you sneeze or cough! If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Learn more about <a href="https://comparedtowho.me/category/intuitive-eating-for-chri
Fri, September 16, 2022
Lies We Believe: I Can Control What Others Think of Me
Today's lie is one that most of us aren't even conscious of. And yet, how often do we find ourselves changing clothes a dozen times before we see people or stressing over how we look or what we said? Could it be that the reason we stress is that we're worried about what image we are portraying? Are we concerned that if we don't look or act like we believe we should, people won't think of us in the way we want them to? I don't know about you, but this has been a big struggle for me. The lie I've believed is that I can control what others think of me. But it's just not true. I can act the way I think they'd prefer me to act, I can look the way I think they'd prefer me to look, and they could still draw conclusions about me that I'd rather them not! Is it true? Can a "better image" control what other people think of us? Or is this just another lie we get caught believing? In today's episode: Lies We Believe, I Can Control What Others Think of Me we tackle these topics and more! Learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: www.comparedtowho.me Today’s show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 13, 2022
Lies We Believe: Not Controlling Food Means Out of Control Around Food
Most of us hate that "out of control" feeling. That's why diets are so appealing. They give us a plan and help us feel like we are in control. When we're "off" the diet we feel out of control, so we try another diet or "health plan" so we can feel our sense of control restored. Today we tackle the truth behind why our eating patterns are disrupted by diets and overly controlling behaviors. We look a bit at the science as to why we feel like we can't be "trusted" around food or are "out of control" when we go off a diet. We also talk about how there is a way to eat and enjoy food and feel in control, without being on a specific food plan. If you struggle with swinging from "in control" to "out of control" around food and if you long to have freedom in this arena, today's show is a great first step for you! Do you feel out of control with food when you're not on a diet? You're not alone. But what if that out of control feeling is really more about your body trying to get what it's been missing out on while you were following your plan? We tend to believe we have so much control over our bodies, yet our bodies want what they want and are determined to help us stay alive! What if our bodies craving for foods or certain foods isn't a problem to be tamed but a good and necessary part of our biology! Let me know what you think after you listen to this episode! You don't have to control food to be free around food! Learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: www.comparedtowho.me Today’s show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 09, 2022
Lies We Believe: My Body Won't Change if I Do Everything Right
Have you believed that it's possible to keep your body from changing? Maybe you've believed that you could stop aging, weight shifts, or other physical changes if you followed someone's plan or just did "all the things" right. Have you felt guilt, shame, or "out of control" feelings because your body has changed and you didn't stop it? Oh friend, today we're going to explore the world of lies surrounding how, why, and if our bodies should change. There's so much circulating that makes it feel like we have complete control to stop our body from ever looking different. But, what if these are all just lies we're tempted to believe? Listen to today's show and let me know what you think! Today we talk about: How strange it would be for our bodies to "never change" How there's an industry out there that makes a lot of money convincing us our bodies are completely controllable-but body change is natural and normal! Why we will feel better about our bodies and our lives if we can give ourselves some grace to change through different seasons and ages. Is it true that if you work hard enough and are diligent enough, your body won't change? Learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: www.comparedtowho.me Today’s show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that’s important. If you haven’t listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 06, 2022
Lies We Believe: Appreciation & Approval Are the Same
Do you want to be appreciated or do you want to be approved of? These two words sound similar, but we don't often think about their differences. Yet, when we confuse appreciation and approval, we can send our hearts on a wild goose chase after something they already have in Christ! If you've ever felt under appreciated or lived for the compliments and kudos of others, this episode will encourage you and help you navigate the tricky nuance between these two concepts: appreciation and approval. In today's show we talk about how appreciation and approval are different and how looking for appreciation from a place of knowing and understanding our approval in Christ can make appreciation that much sweeter. If you're concerned that you aren't appreciated like you used to be, or maybe you don't get the compliments you used to get or wish you would get --it's important to understand these two concepts--appreciation and approval--and how to tell them apart! Don't confuse approval and appreciation! Learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: www.comparedtowho.me Today's show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that's important. If you haven't listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 02, 2022
Lies We Believe: Weight Loss Fixes Everything
Today we start a new series for the month of September called "Lies We Believe." The first lie we tackle is the myth that if you just lose weight or get your body to the size you want it to be, you won't stress over body image any more. This is the lie sold to us through every before and after photo in every weight loss ad. This is the lie that most permeates the marketing of diets. And it's one we want to believe because it feels like it would be SO nice to just drop the pounds and have everything in life get easier. Yet, there is solid scientific evidence proving that weight loss doesn't solve everything. In fact, there's science that shows once a woman loses weight, she may actually start obsessing over her body even more! In other words, it's just not true that weight loss fixes everything. It could lead you to more issues, especially in the arena of body image! Are you ready to let go of the myth that weight loss fixes everything? Then today's show is for you. Learn more about coaching or sign up for emails from Compared to Who? by visiting: www.comparedtowho.me Today's show also features an ad from our sponsor of the month: Tighten Your Tinkler. Heather tells you about her experience with this amazing program to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and why that's important. If you haven't listened to the full interview with Jenn from Tighten Your Tinkler, listen here . To find out more about the program, visit: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram and use the coupon code: HEATHER to save $50! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 30, 2022
Are You Exercising Your Pelvic Floor?
Today's show explores the one muscle in our body most of us never think about exercising, our pelvic floor! We talk about how this little set of muscles has all of your organs resting on it and how many of the issues women experience, from peeing a little when you sneeze to frequent bathroom trips, to posture problems or back pain, could all be related to pelvic floor dysfunction! Guess what: It's not about Kegels!! This isn't your typical episode of Compared to Who? but today, I tackle this physical issue, how it relates to body image and relationship issues, and much more. You will be amazed at the connection! Jenn Lormand, an experienced exercise physiologist from Tighten Your Tinkler (silly name but serious results) joins me to talk about all the different ways having a weak pelvic floor may be affecting your life, your marriage, and your ability to feel comfortable and confident in your body. Here are some of the topics we explore today: *How you can feel broken when things "down there" aren't functioning like they should (or aren't reliable!) *How hip pain, back pain, neck pain, bunions and posture issues can all connect with a weak pelvic floor! *We define prolapse--a condition that affects many women and comes in numbered stages. *We discuss how women recovering or recovered from bulimia or over-exercising may especially feel the affects in their pelvic floor. *Jenn assures Heather that peeing when you cough, sneeze, or while exercising isn't a normal and necessary part of aging--and that there is a way to stop without surgery! *How the Tighten Your Tinkler signature program gets you safely exercising and working on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles! *We talk about how this is one set of muscles that no one sees--yet ignoring them could cause big problems for the rest of your body! Find out more about Tighten Your Tinkler: A Program to Get You Safely Exercising Your Pelvic Floor Intimacy Guide: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/partner-guide Quiz: Tighten Your Tinkler Quiz Survey (surveymonkey.com) Back and Hip Relief: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/backandhiprelief Learn more or sign up for their program here use the coupon code HEATHER to save $50: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram <
Fri, August 26, 2022
Handling the End of Summer Blues
Do you wrestle with feelings of disappointment at the end of fun seasons like Summer or the holidays? If so, you may have Chronic Disappointment Disorder (or CDD). It's not a real disease, but Heather has experienced it as if it were. Today, she tackles what to do if you feel disappointed at the end of this season and if you wrestle feelings of sadness or loss as you transition between the seasons. Here's where we go in today's Handling the End of Summer Blues Episode: **How so many of us get sad and stressed at the end of seasons and how we worry and stress over what we didn't do during the "special time." **How we look for life in experiences instead of where it's found (in Christ). **How Chronic Disappointment Disorder speaks to these "identities" that we desire to have. **How to not think so linear -- believing that the next milestone will be "better". **How to stop the comparative thoughts around what you did or didn't do over the summer. **What to do to fend off the end of summer blues--to keep your body and your spirit from feeling depressed. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 23, 2022
Food Sensitivities & Meal Planning: Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Today's show is another Intuitive Eating Coaching Call with Heather's friends Char-Lee Cassel and Erin Todd from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast. We tackle Heather's journey with food sensitivities--including how Heather operated for ten years with a belief system that certain foods were making her not feel good based on MRT testing. Heather talks about the different foods she's avoided and what she learned was really making her sick every morning! Here are some of the other topics covered in today's coaching call titled, "Food Sensitivities, Meal Planning, and Gentle Nutrition" Heather talks about her journey towards optimal health and uncovering all food sensitivities as being a cover for her eating disorder. Heather talks about her MRT results and how that influenced her eating for 10 years. Heather explains how many of her food sensitivities weren't really food sensitivities or are food sensitivities she no longer has. Char and Heather sort out why we desire to identify everything that makes us feel bad and how sometimes we may not know what it is that is affecting us. The group talks about the myth of the "perfect eater" and how this means different things to different people. Heather talks about decision fatigue around lunch and breakfast and asks whether or not meal planning is okay or too much like a diet. Char explains eating as self care and why it's important to sometimes eat when we're not hungry. The group talks about what happens when you are stressed and trying to listen to your body, after struggling with an eating disorder! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women or listen to the podcast here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Ready for some extra support on your journey to body
Fri, August 19, 2022
Talking to Your Man About Your Body Image Issues
How do you tell your man about your body image or food issues? Should you even tell him? What if he doesn't understand? What if he is making them worse and you need to help him correct course? Or, what if he's engaging in behaviors that are making you feel more insecure about your body than ever. Today's episode will tackle all things in this arena including how to tell your man that you struggle with body image and food. If you've never had this conversation with your guy-this episode will give you the tips and tricks to make your talk helpful for both of you. Here are some of the topics covered in today's episode: Telling Your Man About Your Body Image and Food Issues We talk about why you should tell your man if this is your struggle. Heather talks about how to navigate tough topics like porn or looking at other women. We talk about sharing with your husband your eating disorder or food issues. We talk about how to inform him of the depth of your struggle to help him see these issues as serious as they are. We also discuss how to talk to your husband if he's the food police or if he's watching what you eat or weigh. Heather gives great hope for how a helpful conversation can put you and your man on the same team to help you conquer your body image and food issues. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 16, 2022
The Religion of Our Diets: Confusing Messages of Diet Culture with Christianity
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you'd probably call yourself a Christian. You may even say that's our religion. But, when we follow diets, there is a temptation to follow a false religion. In fact, that's why diets sell and why Christians love diets so much--there's a lot of similarities between following a diet and our walk of faith. But, it's important in the end to know which "religion" you are more allegiant to--the religion of diets or Jesus! Today we explore the following topics in this episode--The Religion of Diets: **We talk about the great similarities between what Diet Culture teaches and what Christianity teaches in terms of faith and salvation. **We look at words like righteousness, holiness, grace, and justice and how they apply to both Christianity and to our dieting. **We explore why it's so easy to fall into the trap of earning righteousness through food or exercise rules and how real Christianity requires grace that dieting doesn't offer. **We explore the root word of Diet Culture and talk about how a shared faith and worship of something that's not Jesus is always idolatry. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 12, 2022
God's Sovereignty & Your Body (Romans 9)
In today's episode of 7 Minutes of Scripture, we're talking about God's sovereignty and your body and body image! It's tough to tackle one of the biggest, richest, and deepest passages of the Bible in such a short amount of time. But, today, Heather attempts to apply Paul's wisdom about the sovereignty of God to our bodies and body image issues. If you've ever struggled with believing that God made you look the way you do on purpose, or that God can use you, just as you are in your body, for his purpose--you'll want to listen to this. Here's what we talk about in today's episode about God's Sovereignty and Your Body: **We dig into Romans 9 starting in verse 10 and landing in verse 23. **We concentrate on the question posed in Romans 9:20-21 about whether or not the clay as a right to ask the potter how and why he's made it that way. **We look at how Romans 9 explains that God is the potter and how we are the clay. **We talk about how God created us on purpose, for a purpose, including the way our bodies look. **We dig into the concept of God choosing what kind of vessel we are and what we were made for. **We talk about the way to surrender back to God our bodies for the purpose He created us for. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 09, 2022
Befriending Your Body
Is your body your friend or your enemy? Are you on the same team or are you always at odds? Do you feel like your body fights you? Or, maybe you've just never liked it...and making peace sounds nearly impossible. No matter where you are at on your body image journey, befriending your body is a helpful part of the process. Today, Heather talks about being kind to your body from several different angles. Here are some of the topics covered in today's Befriending Your Body episode: **We discuss how our various diet plans can be unkind to our bodies-leaving out important macronutrients or enough calories. **We talk about how being on the same team as your body can help you feel better about your body in every way--including physically. **We reference this podcast episode with Tracy Brown, RD where we discuss bread. https://comparedtowho.me/afraid-of-bread-fear-of-bread/ **We also reference these episodes about self control with Amy Carlson, RD. https://comparedtowho.me/is-self-control-really-the-solution-to-our-food-issues/ Share this episode with a friend and leave a review if it’s touched you! Not sure how to leave a review? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Ready to start reading the Burden of Better? Find out more or start reading the first two chapters free here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-inse
Fri, August 05, 2022
Back-to-School Shopping, Body Image, and Our Kids
Back-to-school shopping time gives an opportunity for body image issues to flare! Sometimes the issues are our own--we may project our own body image issues onto our kids, fearing they will follow in our footsteps as their size or shape changes. Or, it may be that our children are already expressing dissatisfaction with their bodies--and back-to-school shopping can be a rough time for both parent and child. Today we tackle all things back-to-school shopping, body image, and our children. Here's Where We Go on Today's Back-to-School Shopping, Body Image, and Our Kids Show: ** We talk about how tough it can be when our kids choose clothing that we don't like and how we worry about their image. **We discuss how to handle size tags--and how to teach your children that they don't matter. **We talk about what to do when/if your child expresses dissatisfaction with their body in the dressing room. Heather goes deep with questions you can use to start helpful conversations around body image and value. If this show blesses you, be sure to tell a friend about it or leave a review! Listen to today’s show about thinspiration and fitspiration, and let me know what you think! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 02, 2022
When You Really Want to Start a New Diet
If you feel the urge to find a new diet for the Fall, you're not alone. Back-to-school time triggers us with the lure of a fresh start, new routines, and the promise that maybe this Fall we can find the plan to solve our issues for good! But, is finding a new diet or plan the best way to find body image freedom? Today we talk about this and more. If you really want to start a new diet soon -- this show is for you! What to Do When You Really Want to Start a New Diet Today we talk about what to do when you really believe a new diet is what you need. Here are some of the places we go on today's show: How triggering Instagram/Facebook ads with new plans for Fall can be! How satisfying it can be to feel like you are regaining control through a new plan. How to look at your past to see if a new plan is going to work better than the others. How to look at your future to see if a new plan can really give you what you want and desire the most. How to look at your present and see if your real need is for body change or for something deeper. What to do if you struggle not to believe that a new plan could fix everything! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 29, 2022
Comparing Yourself to Your Younger Self?
Are you stuck comparing who you are today to who you were ten, twenty, or more years ago? If so, today's episode is for you. We're going to talk about how to stop comparing yourself to your younger self. We'll explore how we tend to romanticize and idealize those older versions of ourselves. We'll also look at how to reprogram our brains and accept the reality that a changing body is more normal than not as we age. If aging is bogging you down or you can't get over the desire to look how you looked decades ago, listen and share with a friend! Highlights from today's show: Comparing Yourself to Your Younger Self *Understand that comparing yourself to the "old you" isn't a victimless crime. *We explore how this kind of comparison can have damaging effects too! *We talk about the realities of aging--that the human body is always aging and changing and how looking decades younger would actually be strange for most of us! *We explore objectification and how we don't really remember or see clearly that woman in the old photo as more than just an object. Yet, she had struggles of her own--even if her body was "better." *Why comparing your younger self isn't really an apples to apples, fair comparison. Coaching tip: Write a list of reasons you WOULDN'T want to return to the age of which you keep comparing yourself. Are there things about your life then that you are missing now? Are there things about your life now that you appreciate and are grateful for? See if you can explore below the surface to find out what it is you are really missing about that old life. Was it relationships? Friendships? Freedom from burdens or responsibilities you carry now? Chances are, it's not just the body you are missing. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ <a href="https://comparedtowho.me/wp-content/upl
Tue, July 26, 2022
5 Things to Do on a Bad Body Image Day
Wondering what to do and what not to do on a bad body image day? Here are five tips to help you navigate those days when you wake up and feel "bleh" about your body. If somedays you feel more consumed with your body and the desire to change it feels overwhelming, know you are not alone. We all have bad body image days. Even if you've made great strides towards freedom from obsessing over your body, there are days when the hormones will rage or the bloat will roar and you'll be ready to do something drastic. But, never fear. There are things to do and not to do when these feelings hit you. Today, we talk about 5 of them. From why you shouldn't go get bangs cut (or any drastic hair style change) to why spending the day googling a new diet won't work, we cover a gamut of suggestions for what to do on a bad body image day. What to Do on a Bad Body Image Day Today's top five tips are as follows: Don't get on the scale, don't try on your smallest jeans, don't get a new hair cut, don't spend all day googling a new plan, and don't make a list of new vows to yourself (I'll never eat after 7pm again!). Instead-- learn to identify those bad body image days. Learn to dig in to what's underneath the feelings. And, learn to be patient with your always changing body. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 22, 2022
Escaping Diet Culture and Healing Body Image Issues
Did you know that healing your body image may require you to escape from something you've likely been trapped in for a long time? Diet Culture-the ways we think having a better or "healthier" or thinner body will save us-has trapped many of us in its "escape room" for decades. We're told if we can do all the things, figure out the right combinations, and break the secret codes, then we will escape and be free from our body image issues. But, the truth is, that's not the way diet culture--or body image issues--work. We talk about escaping diet culture and healing body image issues. Here's where we go in today's show: How trying to escape the pervasive diet culture can feel like trying to get out of a difficult escape room. Why there's not a secret decode ring to unlock your healing from body image issues. How escaping diet culture is the first step to finding body image healing. How diet culture keeps us trapped always looking for the key that works. How we gather clues and believe that if we apply it all to our bodies, we will unlock the door to freedom. How we believe freedom from body image issues is bigger than just not stressing over our bodies. Body image issues are about our hearts. Can we believe he made us in a variety of ways, shapes and sizes? Why Christianized "Jedi mind tricks" can't set us free. What does freedom with body image issues really look like? How do we keep from going back to diet culture's escape room? Coaching tip: Acknowledge the ways we've believed the world's system (Diet culture's system) would unlock the door to freedom and abundant life? How have we believed that we really needed a better body to set us free? Have we tried to heal our body image issues the word's way or the world's way? Think and pray through these questions today. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women or listen to the podcast here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Ready for some extra <a href="https
Tue, July 19, 2022
Are Fitness Trackers Bad for Your Health?
In today's "Hot Coaching Tips" episode, Heather talks fitness trackers, Apple Watch, and all the other little exercise bullies that we wear on our person. We talk about the good, the bad, and the unexpected when it comes to these tracking devices. Do you have to have your watch on to get "credit" every time you walk? Do you never leave home without your tracker? Take a listen today and see how this coaching episode can help you. Are Fitness Trackers Bad for Your Health? Here's what we talk about on today's show: How we can be shamed or challenged into obeying our trackers versus our bodies. Do these trackers and their readouts keep us stuck in disordered behaviors? Why we get so "inspired" and how those little "rewards" on our wrists work. How these "motivators" can lead us to a bad place with exercise. Are fitness trackers bad for your mental health? How they're not inherently bad or "evil" but how those of us with issues around disordered eating and exercise, they may be unhealthy. Why changing our goals may be the healthiest things for our bodies and our minds. Coaching Tip: Pray about whether or not you need to give up your tracker. Is it helping you or hurting you? Who can you have an honest conversation with about your relationship with your tracker? Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 15, 2022
What Does it Mean to Be Normal With Food?
Most of us who diet or try fitness/wellness plans aren't looking to be on a plan forever. We just want to rest. We just want to be normal with food. But what does that even look like? Are you so far from feeling peaceful and "normal" around food, that you can't even conceive of how that would look? That's what we're talking about in today's "Hot Coaching Tips" episode. Here are some points we cover as we discuss: What Does it Mean to Be Normal With Food? Why it's important to understand what eating disorders and disordered eating really looks like? How too many don't classify themselves with that label because they believe their strained relationship with food is normal or necessary. How looking identifying our behaviors around food can help us work towards healing, freedom, and recovery--if we aren't afraid to be honest about them. How Heather's understanding of her own eating disorder came decades later. (She talks about that in this episode: What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders ) Why if your weight is something you can only maintain through eating disorder behaviors, that's not a healthy weight for you. How getting food freedom means thinking about food less and getting back mental space assigned to calculating and measuring. What I observed about my Food Network watching habits after I quit dieting! Coaching Tip: Is your relationship with food disordered? Take an honest look at your habits, thoughts, and patterns this week. Reach out for help if you need it. Promoted on today's show: BodyBloved Food Freedom Bible Study and Course! Use these links to learn more: Food Freedom Bible Study Group Course (One Year Access) or Lifetime Access Food Freedom Bible Study Individual Course (One Year Access) or Lifetime Access Are we email friends yet? Join
Tue, July 12, 2022
Still Trying Not to Eat?
In today's Intuitive Eating coaching call, Heather talks to her coaches, Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel from the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcas t about how she's spent so many years trying not to eat and how unfamiliar it is to have that permission. Today we start by looking at scripture. In Proverbs 13:25 the Bible talks about eating until their hearts are content. Then in Proverbs 14:1 , the next verse in the Bible, scripture references a woman using her own hands to tear down her house. We talk about how restricting food leads to tearing down our earthly homes and breaking down our bodies by not nourishing them the way they need. Here are some other topics we talk about in today's "Trying Not to Eat" coaching call: How odd it is that we tend to praise those who can go without food or "resist" the "temptation" to eat, when eating is necessary and healthy. How it is a revolutionary concept to most of us that shrinking our body isn't the healthiest thing for it. How physically good it is for your body to care for it and not uber focus on your weight. How we've trained our brains to be against our bodies. Why trying not to eat is not as healthy as we've been taught. How eating carbohydrates helps stabilize your blood sugar and makes you feel better. What Heather learned about Intuitive Eating when she overdid it with the Bark Thins. Who we are really "obeying" when we don't nourish our bodies. How the abundant life isn't really about getting food right, it's about having so much life the food isn't as important! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women or listen to the podcast here: https://intuitiveeatingforc
Fri, July 08, 2022
Hot Coaching Tip: How to Grieve the Loss of Your Ideal Life
What does it mean to really let go of our ideals? Are you grieving the ideal life that you hoped to have, but don't? Do dreams of "happily ever after" keep us stuck wishing and hoping that our lives were different than they are? How can we let go of our ideal life in order to fully embrace and enjoy the life we actually have? We talk about these issues and more on today's episode. Here's Where We Go in Today's Show: Grieving the Loss of the Ideal Life Check out Paul Tripp's Instagram post here How do we let go of those dreams we've held for our lives? Why grieving the ideal life is the only way to let go of idolatrous dreams and find the ones God has for us. What is the grieving process and how does this apply to our ideals? What stages of grief do we go through as we release our ideals? Me and Cinderella - a song from the Wallflowers- that talks about giving up the fantasy to really live life. It may not be that you believed life would be perfect, but perhaps you believed it would just be a "little better" than it is. The only place where we'll really find happily ever after. What ideals do you have that you can't let go of yet? Coaching tip: What ideals am I still chasing and what do I need to grieve? Where am I still holding on to a Cinderella fantasy? Have I been grieving the loss of the ideal life or am I still chasing it? Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com
Tue, July 05, 2022
The Spiritual Problem With Thinspiration
Thinspiration or Fitspiration has been around since I was a kid, only it didn't have such a cool name. But, I learned that cutting pictures out of magazines of women whom I aspired to look like would help me, somehow, look more like them. I read I should put these pictures on the refrigerator and that would help me not eat. I should put them on my mirror so I could look at these images, every day, and be reminded of my goal--to have that kind of body. It may sound innocent, but friends, fitspiration and thinspiration are not of the Lord. Jesus doesn't ask us to try to look like other women. Jesus doesn't ask us to not eat so that we can have someone else's body size or shape. There is so much evil wrapped up in this seemingly innocent "inspirational" exercise--and it's time that it was exposed. Today we talk about the problem with thinspiration and fitspiration and how, spiritually and physically harmful it can be. Looking at another woman's body and deciding that you "want one just like it" is the type of coveting talked about way back in the Old Testament! Looking at a photo with envy, daily, doesn't lead us to a place of body image freedom--it leads to a place where we are further stuck in our idolatry. Topics we tackle in today's show about the Problem with Thinspiration: What are we worshipping? Have we traded the "truth" for a "lie" like Romans 1:25 says. God didn't make me to look like her. Does posting these pictures actually bring us more shame and hurt us in other ways? God isn't waiting for me to look more like that image, I'm made in his image. Listen to today's show about thinspiration and fitspiration, and let me know what you think! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com
Fri, July 01, 2022
Hot Coaching Tips: Black and White Thinking
This month Heather gives "hot" coaching tips to help you get body image freedom. Today's topic is black-and-white thinking. Sometimes it's called "All or Nothing thinking." But the trap those of us who fall into body image issues fall into is believing that the choice is in between caring about your body or not caring about your body. This is a false dichotomy. The choice isn't to steward or not steward our bodies, the choice is to believe that we can surrender our body image to the Lord. Getting rid of the black-and-white thinking can help you see these issues rightly and get free! You can learn more on this topic by listening to this amazing interview I did with Shawna Scafe last year: https://comparedtowho.me/podcast-the-all-or-nothing-mentality-featuring-shawna-scafe/ Other topics we cover today around black and white thinking and body image: Jesus clearly commands us in Matthew 6:25 not to worry about our food and our bodies. But, not worrying about them isn't the same as mistreating, abusing, ignoring or not caring about our bodies. So, how do we care for our bodies without worrying? How do we take care of ourselves without making body image an idol and making food something to obsess over? In today's show, we talk about how to fight the temptation to enter into black-and-white thinking in the arena of your body image. We talk about how money issues can relate to body image issues and how the lessons of scripture that apply to money can also apply to our physical bodies. Coaching Action Step: Are you struggling with all-or-nothing or black-and-white thinking? Think about ways this week that you see yourself practicing this and take a pause to think of some alternative, healthier ways to make progress towards your goals without making it all or nothing. All-or-nothing or black-and-white thinking separates us from living the life of grace and understanding and accepting God's grace for our lives. This episode will encourage and inspire you. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.m
Thu, June 30, 2022
Holy or Hot? How to Make Holiness What We Really Desire
Do we want to be hot or holy? Your answer may be: Both! But the pursuit of a hotter body and the pursuit of looking more like Jesus can sometimes be competing interests. Of course, our pursuit of beauty isn't something to be ashamed of. We've been programmed to believe that our value is based on our appearance or connected to how we look. It takes a lot of faith and trust in God to break free from the world's economy of beauty. On today's show, we talk about how shifting our greatest pursuit to holiness instead of the culture's definition of beauty can transform our lives and feel the freedom in Christ that we long for. If you struggle with wanting to be hot more than you want to be holy, today's show is for you! Here's where we go today as we discuss pursuing being hot or holy: How do we truly desire to be more like Jesus? How do we free ourselves from the mindset that an improved physical appearance gives us the most value? Does Hot or Holy have to be a choice? How do we focus on making our hearts more beautiful when culture tells us our greatest need is a better body? What does Jesus really ask of us in the arena of pursuing holiness? The Catholic Litany of Humility - and its amazing reminders of how to lay down our desires to pursue recognition, glory, praise and worship for ourselves in order to keep our focus on worshipping Jesus. Erin Todd's "A Former Dieters Prayer for Humility" - Erin does an amazing job re-writing the original to speak to each of the issues we face in the body image/dieting/wellness realm. Print it somewhere you can read it daily! Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Listen to today's Hot or Holy episode here or wherever you get your podcasts! Discover more Christian podcasts at <a href="https://www.lifea
Mon, June 27, 2022
What to Say to a Single Friend and More Featuring Jennifer Hand
How can I encourage my single friend who desires marriage? What do I say (or not say) to my single friends? Today, Jennifer Hand and I talk about her journey as a forty-year-old single woman. We talk about all the assumptions we make around our friends who are single or in any other situations that are "different" from our cultural norms. "Look what you can do if you're single." "It's a good thing you're single so you can serve God." Jenn's heard all the cringe-worthy but well-meaning sentiments from friends within the church. In today's show, Jenn brings encouragement, real talk, and truth to these questions. If you're single, this will encourage you. If you want to know how to be a better friend to single women, this is a must-listen. This is part two of an episode on fear and faith featuring Jennifer Hand. Today we talk about What to Say to a Single Friend and More Including: How people have told Jenn to "delight herself in the Lord" so she can get married (and how that missed her heart!) How there's no magic formula for marriage. Is God good even when his plan or timing don't match mine? How feeling and knowing we are loved helps us love others better. We talk about fear of success and the pressure of that. How fear paralyzes us but faith propels us. What to do when you feel stuck in the "safe and sane" What it means to give ourselves permission to dream. What to do if you are in a long season of waiting and how to know God is working behind the scenes. Tips for prayer and praying for what you desire in a theologically sound way. How to combat the biggest underlying fear: that God will be good to us and we can trust him. Listen to Heather on Jenn's podcast: Coming Alive here: https://comingaliveministries.libsyn.com/with-heather-creekmore Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather’s coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Meet Jenn Hand Jenn has a Master’s Degre
Fri, June 24, 2022
Moving from Fear to Faith Featuring Jenn Hand
You'll be encouraged by today's conversation on the topic of overcoming fear to say "Yes" to what God asks of us! Heather's guest today, Jennifer Hand, is Executive Director of Coming Alive ministries and a missionary who travels the world to minister to people who have just endured a natural disaster. Jenn talks about how she learned to put her "Yes" out there and surrender to God to walk out in faith. Jenn also talks about her journey as a single woman and how she's learned to trust God for her future in all areas. In today's episode about moving from fear to faith we talk about: Surrendering our fear, hopes, dreams, and plans to the Lord. How Jenn literally wrote out her "Yes" to God and put it out there for him. How to "do it" scared, how to keep moving even when you feel fear, and how to show up when you feel burdened with fear! Surrendering our bodies (and our body image-what we think of our bodies) to God. Jenn's struggle with body image and what she learned from having a twin sister. How to listen to God's truth over the lies of fear that shout at us. Finding the "promised land" of what God has planned for us. How we've chased the 'fake' promised land instead of God's dreams for our lives. How to not compare our "promised land" to other's promised lands. What NOT to say to single women! Meet Jenn Hand Jenn has a Master’s Degree in professional counseling from Richmont University and although not in private practice, loves to apply the things she learned as she helps you come alive. Jenn has been professionally speaking since 2004 and became the Executive Director and founder of Coming Alive Ministries in 2012. She spent two life-changing years overseas in South Asia as a missionary and has traveled to 22 countries to share the love of Jesus. Learn more about Jennifer Hand here: https://www.comingaliveministries.com Read Jenn Hand's brand new book, "My Yes is On the Table: Moving from Fear to Faith" on Amazon here. * (Amazon affiliate link.) Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body b
Mon, June 20, 2022
7 Minutes of Scripture: Understanding Our Adoption Ephesians 1
Understanding your adoption in Christ can impact your identity in an amazing way. In today's 7 Minutes of Scripture episode we explore the passage in Ephesians 1 where Paul explains that we are adopted sons and daughters of God through Jesus. Heather tells the story of how adoption should bring us incredible security in who we are, how we've been created, and what the King has in store for us. If you've ever felt like you weren't enough, or a "less than" listen to today's episode which will encourage you and strengthen your faith. What would it mean to really understand that we are God's daughters according to Ephesians 1 and other places in scripture? Listen and find out how the Ephesians 1 adoption principle can help your body image and comparison issues. Here are some of the takeaways from today's Ephesians 1 passage: How we almost miss the big picture of our value because we're so focused on body image issues. How we have all been plucked, spiritually, from our families of origin to become adopted daughters of the King according to this passage in Ephesians 1. The encouragement that comes with recognizing that the Creator of the universe made you and loved you enough to adopt us! What Ephesians 1 shows us about our true purpose here on earth. How understanding Ephesians 1 can transform the way you see yourself. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, June 17, 2022
Intuitive Eating Coaching: Vacation, Visiting Family & More
Heather just got back from her first vacation as an "Intuitive Eater," and she learned a lot about herself and her food habits. Today, Heather talks to Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast. Heather's coaches take her on an unexpected journey talking about food, body, family, approval, disappointments and so much more. Here Are Some Places We Go in our Discussion of Intuitive Eating on Vacation: How eating breakfast changed things on vacation for Heather. How Heather didn't feel "addicted" or out of control with sweets even under stress. How Heather had been operating under results from a decade-old test about food sensitivities and avoiding things. The relational aspect of food on vacation and how Heather's recognizing some unloving tendencies. How to handle comments/compliments or lack thereof with family members. Breaking away from the need for approval from family members approval of our appearance. The pressure to make vacation perfect and how that can spoil our time away! Why do we feel like we need a vacation to be "the best" time of our lives? How to keep your cool and not be super triggered if you find yourself in the middle of dieting conversations. What does it look like to give grace to family members that aren't on the same page with food? Why dieters love the food freedom of vacation, and how Intuitive Eating can give us that all year long. Why Heather used to cry at the end of every vacation. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Learn more about Intuitive Eating for Christian Women or listen to the podcast here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.c
Tue, June 14, 2022
Cleaning Your House and Body Image Issues Connection
Did you know that your body image issues and cleaning your house like a crazy person may be connected? If you've ever turned into a cleaning Gestapo before company came over or if you've ever stressed way too much over how your house looked, you may be surprised to find out that there's a body image connection. Getting free to be yourself in your body may help you become a little more chill when it comes to cleaning your house before guests stop by. If you've ever cleaned the house to make it look like "no one lives here," you'll be able to relate to this episode in many ways! Here are some other things we talk about as we discuss how cleaning house connects to body image issues: What image are we trying to protect or portray in our physical homes? Is this related to the image we're trying to present in our soul's earthly homes--our bodies? How control issues flare in similar ways between cleaning our homes and caring for our bodies. What is the difference between loving others and desiring to be approved of and accepted? The mistake we make when we over-clean is the same as when we over-exercise or over-restrict food from our bodies. Who are we trying to impress? Is image management playing more of a role in our lives than we know? The "Mirror Tilt"-- How we can learn to better manage our image and understand Jesus's desire for us as image bearers. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/KlYCi3QMj0o Read the original blog post that got so much attention here: How Cleaning Your House Like Crazy Connects to Your Body Image Homework: How have YOUR body image issues connected to how you care about the appearance of your home? Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and in
Fri, June 10, 2022
4 Vacation Tips for Women With Body Image & Control Issues
Today Heather's delivering vacation tips for women who struggle with body image and control issues. These struggles don't go on vacation when we do. In fact, sometimes a vacation can bring out the worst of our struggles. Between our disappointments, guilt over being "off-plan" with food choices, or feeling like we "look fat" in pictures we can spoil all the fun of our time away. This is your all-inclusive guide to preparing for time away this summer so you can enjoy your vacation! Grab a pen and take some notes before you head out this summer! Today we talk about vacation tips for women with body image and control issues: Chronic Disappointment Disorder and how it disturbs vacation. ( Learn more about CDD in this episode here .) How talking about your expectations before vacation can transform your experience. How communicating with your spouse (or friends) can help us control freaks enjoy our time more. How gratitude can turn a lousy vacation around. How to stop the "Me Monster" from ruining your trip. What to do if your body image stops you from enjoying your time away. How you can keep your body image issues from flaring up while you are on vacation. What items of clothing are most important for you to invest in if your size has changed. How to stop your body image issues from spiraling while you are away from home. What to do about vacation pictures when you don't love the way you look in photos. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Struggling with the hot or holy paradigm? Check out Heather’s coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, June 03, 2022
20 Ways to Feel Lighter This Summer Part 2
Ready to feel lighter this summer and not so weighed down by body image issues? In today's episode, Heather shares the final tips of this 2 part, the "20 Ways to Feel Lighter" episode. You won't find diet or supplement strategies here. Instead, these are simple changes you can make to help you feel better in your body, all summer (and all year) long. None are expensive or time-consuming, but they can help you feel better on vacation, at the pool, beach, or lake, or wherever summer life takes you. Plus, many of these principles can be used to help you stay feeling more confident and less focused on your own body, all year long. Looking to Feel Lighter This Summer Without Weight Loss? Why comparison is not your friend this summer and how to beat it (Read: The Burden of Better for more! ) How the right swimwear cover-up may be more important than the right swimsuit. (Here are two I like: https://amzn.to/3FMUHO3 or https://amzn.to/3lfKpMY ) ** The last tip connects with an episode we just did. Listen to the episode from last Friday or read more about it on the blog, here: How To Look Great in a Swimsuit: Believe the Gospel? Are you on the Compared to Who? email list yet? Join the 5 Day Email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Read the blog post with several of these hacks here: https://comparedtowho.me/20-quick-body-image-boosters/ Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Check out Heather's coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ **links to Amazon are Amazon affiliate links - Amazon will send a tiny portion of any purchases made back to this ministry. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 31, 2022
20 Ways to Feel Lighter This Summer Without Weight Loss: Part 1
Ready to feel lighter this summer and not so weighed down by body image issues? In today's episode, Heather shares the first several tips of this 2 part, the "20 Ways to Feel Lighter" episode. These tips aren't dieting or exercise tricks. Instead, they are things that you can do to help you feel better in your body, all summer (and all year) long. These aren't expensive or time-consuming, but they can help you feel better on vacation, at the pool, beach, or lake, or wherever summer life takes you. Plus, many of these principles can be used to help you stay feeling more confident and less focused on your own body, all year long. Looking to Feel Lighter This Summer Without Weight Loss? What daily habits could help you keep your definition of beauty aligned with God's word instead of the World? Easy hacks for helping your body feel better, and to help you not feel so conscious about it. How it is possible to feel lighter this summer, even if your weight or size doesn't change before vacation or that pool party! Don't miss the most important hack about cleaning out your closet or the lessons we learn from Rachel and Leah. Are you on the Compared to Who? email list yet? Join the 5 Day Email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Read the blog post with several of these hacks here: https://comparedtowho.me/20-quick-body-image-boosters/ Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Check out Heather's coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 27, 2022
How to Look Great in a Swimsuit: the Bible's Answer
Summer is coming and culture tells us it's time to focus on how to look great in a swimsuit. So today, we explore God's word to see how scripture can guide us on this pursuit. Today, we're talking confidence, approval, and how most (if not all) women wrestle never feeling like they look good enough. What does the Gospel say to our insecurities? If you've ever felt like you just don't look good enough to put on swimwear (or wear it in public)--this episode will encourage your heart! Today Heather talks about what's really behind our struggles to look great in a swimsuit: Why the secret to looking good in a swimsuit can't just be drinking miracle weight-loss drinks or doing planks. Even if we "perfect" our bodies by culture's standards--we can still struggle with body image. Why it's important to remember that God's saving grace doesn't just make us secure for all of eternity, it makes us secure in the here and now. How wearing swimwear (or wearing it well) isn't the actual validation our hearts need when we struggle with body image issues. If you want to look great in a swimsuit, it doesn't require a body makeover, it requires a spiritual one. Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Check out Heather's coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 24, 2022
Do I Need More Self-Control to Stop Eating? Feat. Amy Carlson, RD
Do we need more self-control to stop eating? That's what many of us have believed. In this part two of a conversation between Heather Creekmore and Amy Carlson, RD -- we break down the spiritual fallacies surrounding applying self-control to wanting to be a "better dieter." Amy and Heather talk about the heart problems surrounding our desire to control our bodies through restricting food and what's really under the surface when we talk about needing more "self-control" to not eat foods we deem may make us gain weight. Here are some other topics we hit in today's episode: Do I Need More Self Control to Stop Eating: What is the real appetite that requires self-control? Is it our desire for food or is it our desire to satisfy our own desires--what I "want" for my body? Why self control to stop eating is a dangerous and distorted version of the Bible's self control How we reinforce the messages of diet culture in the church when we equate purity, holiness, and sanctification to being able to say no to dessert. We talk about how rattling it is for women who have been immersed in diet culture to recognize the truth of scripture from the lies of the dieting world. We discuss how we subtly fall into the trap of desiring self-worship when we want to change our body size through food restriction. If self-control isn't what we need to have better "control" of our eating (or to stop eating)-then what can we do? What should we be praying for instead? How we can change the conversation around food and body image issues by pushing back on some of these beliefs that have been taught even in the church and asking ourselves if the intent of scripture has been twisted to teach the gospel of diet culture instead of the true gospel--the good news! Connect with Amy Carlson and check out her Peace With Food app here: https://www.hellopeacewithfood.com Are you on the Compared to Who? email friends list yet? If not, take the 5 Day Body Image Email Challenge here: 5-Day Email Challenge or here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Leave a review for this show or support it here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 20, 2022
Is Self Control Really the Solution to Our Food Issues?
It's a popular message in Christian circles when the topic of food arises--we need more self control. The message is subtle but clear. If you had more self control, food issues would disappear. If you had more self control (which is a fruit of the spirit) then you would always choose Jesus over brownies. If you have more self control, you'd never have an issue with your weight. We've made the biblical concept of self control all about sticking to our diet. But, is that what self control is really about, according to scripture? Today, my guest is Amy Carlson, RD. She's worked with women with disordered eating and eating disorders for more than two decades. She loves Jesus and loves helping women break free from the bondage of food restriction cycles so they can make peace with food. She and her colleagues created the Peace With Food App, a helpful app that encourages you to be present and helps you transition to intuitive eating. Here are places we go today as we tackle this big topic: Is Self Control Really the Solution to Our Food Issues? What does it really mean to deny the flesh? Why have we made self control about denying ourselves of food and what is really behind that? Does Jesus really have clear opinions on what we eat? How the church has co-opted the messages of diet culture surrounding good foods, bad foods, and sanctification that comes from eating what's most "acceptable" in our diet culture. Why self control is more about looking like Jesus than looking like a model. Why food restriction isn't holiness or sanctification (and how food really doesn't have anything to do with these biblical concepts.) How we conflate the concept of gluttony when we talk about having "control" around food. How biblical self-discipline is about controlling lusts of the flesh, not about avoiding nourishment of our bodies. How truly changing our desires and becoming more like Christ has more to do with how we love and treat others than it does about what we eat. And so much more! Share this episode with a friend and leave a review if it's touched you! Not sure how to leave a review? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Ready to start reading the Burden of Better? Find out more or start reading the first two chapters free here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 17, 2022
Leah and Other Misunderstood Women of Bible Feat: Mary DeMuth
Today Heather welcomes author and podcaster, Mary DeMuth on the show to talk about Leah and other women from the Bible whose stories we may not have learned accurately in Sunday School! Her brand new book, "The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible" dives deep into stories of women such as Naomi, Rahab, Phoebe, Leah, and even the famously perfect Proverbs 31 "woman." Mary and Heather talk about some of these women, their stories, and what to do if you feel misunderstood. Here are a few key points from Leah and Other Misunderstood Women of the Bible: What does it mean to be misunderstood? How Leah's story shows us what's most important about What does it mean to have a beautiful soul? The huge shift in thinking about whose beauty we are looking for. How relying on our body for validation may connect to being misunderstood. Proverbs 31-- It's not really for women! What? The story of Phoebe and her connection to Romans that you've probably never heard! What do you do when you feel misunderstood? How we attempt to self-correct so we won't be misunderstood. How we misunderstand our worth and identity in Christ. How sometimes the Holy Spirit does direct us to defend ourselves, and sometimes he directs us to be quiet. Visit https://www.MaryDeMuth.com/misunderstood f or the freebie: 64 Truths and Proclamations for When You're Misunderstood or connect with Mary DeMuth here: https://www.marydemuth.com or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/marydemuth/ or listen to the Pray Everyday Podcast. Buy Mary's latest book, "The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible" here (Amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3FmytCi Listen to other episodes abou t Rachel and Leah here. Listen to Heather's other interview with Mary DeMuth here. Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Leave a question for Heather to tackle on the air: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Learn more about Compared to Who? the book or learn more about The Burden of Better book. Get on the waiting list for Fall coaching: Email Heather at Heather @ Compared to Who. Me <
Fri, May 13, 2022
Confession: I'm a Body Change Addict
Today Heather digs into the concept of addiction--but not in a way you might expect. Heather isn't talking about drugs or alcohol or other things that you expect people to be addicted to. Instead, she talks about being addicted to body change--of chasing idols of body image and beauty through controlling and manipulating her body size and shape. Heather breaks down some amazing teaching from Dr. Tim Keller on the topic of addictions and idolatry and she applies this teaching to our issues with food and body. The sermon she refers to throughout today's episode is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcuE9ewrwVw Here are some other topics talked about in today's episode, I'm a Body Change Addict: How the prophet Jeremiah shows us Israel's idolatry problem and how this applies to us today! The deep spiritual desire we have to find affirmation. What addiction really is and how it's a spiritual problem. The addiction cycle and what Jeremiah 2:27 teaches us about it. How we can see what our addictions are as we compare what bothers us versus what bothers are friends. How addictions can't be solved just through changing our bodies. The Biggest Loser definition of salvation . How scolding and shaming never helps us change anything. What does work to break us out of addiction and sin. How our priorities reveal our treasures and our idols. Tim Keller's solution of thinking about these issues as issues between our bridegroom (Jesus) and his bride (us) and how this changes things. Why we all want to look flawless. Take the 5 Day Email Challenge from Compared to Who? and join the friends list at www.Comparedtowho.me Learn more about The Burden of Better and start reading the first two chapters for free here. Connect with Heather or drop her a message at Heather@ compared to who.me. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 10, 2022
What to Do When You're Uncomfortable In Your Body
Today's Intuitive Eating Coaching Call is filled with so many good nuggets of truth, you're going to want to listen to it twice. If intuitive eating doesn't feel very intuitive to you, take a listen to this. Heather talks about how she's feeling "safer" in her body and healthier in many ways but struggling to feel comfortable at a new size. Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel of the I ntuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast talk with Heather about so many great truths about giving up diet culture, food rules, and unhealthy mental strongholds around dieting, food, and weight loss. If you're uncomfortable in your body and feel uncertain about your size, food, weight, or anything in that genre--you're going to get a lot out of this episode. Here Are Some Topics We Cover in What to Do When You're Uncomfortable in Your Body: PMS changes, hormones, and body image Messages from celebrities that have stuck with Heather for decades Is it physical discomfort with size or is it mental discomfort around not wearing a size we desire? We argue over whether or not "physical discomfort" is always cured by weight loss. How do we take weight loss off the table? What is the cost of weight loss--long term and short term? Is the short-term success of dieting worth it? Heather confesses to being sucked back into exercise addiction. How we feel a moral obligation to lose weight if it will solve our health issues. We question the cultural truth that we each have complete control over our own weight. How addictive behavior tricks us when we are coming out of eating disorders or exercise addiction. Exercise or joyful movement in the scope of Intuitive Eating How Heather feels free to not think of food as much. The mental health aspect of our food struggles and how we "trick" ourselves into our addictive behaviors. How so much of this struggle comes down to heart issues and our desire for rules and law. What happens when others don't get the journey you're on--and when it feels lonely. Don't go back to Egypt (listen to the episode on that topic here!) Connect with Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel on Instagram or on their website or listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast on Apple. Take the 5 Day Email Challenge from Compared to Who? and join the friends list at www.Comparedtowho.me</
Fri, May 06, 2022
Forgiving Mom (Or Others) for Their Roles in Body Image Issues
One of the trickiest parts of healing our body image issues is recognizing the impact that parents and others may have had in the way they developed while, at the same time, not blaming them! Seeing the hurt and brokenness of our moms or our dads in this arena, and then forgiving them for the pain that they (most often) unintentionally passed on to us is a tricky thing. If you're ready to understand a moms role in body image issues and to forgive mom (or someone else) for their roles in your body image issues, then this episode is for you! We'll do a practical, step-by-step exercise in how to forgive family members or others for the things that they have said or done that have kept us in body image bondage. Here's what we talk about in today's show about your mom's role in body image issues: How do we not blame our moms, dads, and other relatives who have "contributed" to our body image issues? Thinking about how those things that have been said over you may still be connected to lies you regularly hear. How most parents are well-meaning in wanting their child to succeed in an "economy" where beauty wins. Why writing down the lies is important to the forgiveness protocol. How forgiving others sets not just them free, but also sets us free. (Or course, this is through Christ--the only one who truly sets us free!) Do you need to tell your mom (or others) that you've forgiven them? Do you need a conversation? Heather breaks down the truth. Moms play a role in body image issues, but you can restore your relationship with your mom, even if she was a contributor to your struggles with body or few. Get the 5 Day Body Image Email Challenge Here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/5 Interested in Coaching? Learn more at: https://www.comparedtowho.me/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 03, 2022
Summer Body Image Assessment: How Are You Doing?
Everyone is talking about getting a summer "body" but as we enter a new season, my question is: How is your body image? Where are you on the path to body image freedom? I've had some friends walking this path with me for years now--you've probably heard me change, grow, and learn as God reveals new things to me in areas I previously didn't even know he wanted to change! Others of you may be brand new to the Compared to Who? show or this ministry. Maybe you never even knew that your problem with your body was actually a problem with your body image. Perhaps you are still trying to figure out if that statement is even true--and if it really is possible to change how you feel about your body without reaching your "goal weight" or getting the body you always dreamed of. Today, I give you a short, 5 question assessment so you can figure out where you are on the path and I offer some practical steps as to what may be next for you if you want to keep growing in body image freedom. Here are some other things we tackle in the Summer Body Image Assessment: We talk about how body image freedom never comes from a plan. Freedom is a path, not a plan. We talk about how for Heather, food issues weren't something that God started working on right away. How it took her years after starting to heal her body image to give up dieting and over-exercising and see the disordered eating patterns and habits in her life. Heather shares how gracious it is of God to meet us where we are at and not push us to walk this path any faster than we are ready to. We talk about the "Idol of Self" and how sneaky it is to believe that our opinions of us are more important than everyone else's (even God's). We "go there" and talk about summer body image struggles. Heather makes suggests as to how you can enjoy the summer with more freedom. Finally, we talk about spiritual habits and practices that are ultimately the key to experiencing true body image freedom. Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Leave a question for Heather to tackle on the air: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Learn more about Compared to Who? the book or learn more about The Burden of Better book. Get on the waiting list for Fall coaching: Email Heather at Heather @ Compared to Who. Me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 29, 2022
Stop Letting Comparison Rob You of Joy, Peace & Rest
Today we conclude the Spring book club series where we've walked through my latest book, The Burden of Better: How a Comparison-Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest. In this episode, we talk about ways to have more joy, contentment, peace, and how to find rest. Heather walks through the final section of the book which is dedicated to these topics and we discuss how our idols (and our ideals) lie to us when they tell us they can give us the joy, peace, and rest that only Jesus can deliver. Here are some other concepts we discuss in today's episode about joy, peace, and rest: Heather answers a listener's question about how to really grasp the concept of grace. Heather talks about how gratitude is more than just being thankful for a good parking space. We look at complaining and discuss the only biblical way we can "complain" which is lament. Heather tackles the topic of social media and how it can steal our joy (especially on vacation). You'll hear practical ideas for finding more joy, peace, and true rest. Sign up for the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge here: 5-Day Email Challenge Are you ready to start reading the Burden of Better? Check out the first two chapters here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Leave a review for the Compared to Who? show or ask a question to be answered on the air here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Listen to the first two episodes of the Burden of Better Book Club here: Episode One: Ideals Become Idols Episode Two: Can a Deeper Understanding of Grace Cure Comparison? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 26, 2022
Stuck on Intuitive Eating Step One: Defeating Diet Mentality
In this month's Intuitive Eating Coaching call with Heather's Intuitive Eating Coaches--Erin Todd and Char Lee Haze-- we talk about how hard it is to actually make it past step one in Intuitive Eating. Step one of Intuitive Eating involves recognizing and turning from Diet Culture so you can reclaim your power to choose the foods and methods of eating that are best for your body. But today we talk about navigating the body changes that come when you stop dieting. We also talk about how ditching diets and "rebelling" against diets are two very different things. There are many informative and encouraging truths about defeating diet mentality in this episode. Need help defeating diet mentality? Here are some other places today's conversation goes: What happens when our bodies transition from being underfoot or underhydrated. Why dieting and manipulating, changing body size is truly an addiction. How powerless it can feel to notice changes in your body and not turn to dieting. Navigating the tension between who I am in Christ and who I want to be, physically. Why we struggle with being human (imperfect, changing, aging, etc...) How we use Diet Culture rules to keep us safe (and how that's truly ineffective). How unfathomable it is that anyone could truly escape Diet Culture without an understanding of identity in Christ. How defeating diet mentality without feeling secure in Christ and having his help daily is practically impossible. There is so much gold in this episode, you may need to listen twice! Need more help defeating diet mentality? Connect with Erin and Char Lee here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com and follow on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/intuitive.eating.podcast/ Listen to previous coaching calls here where we talk more about defeating diet mentality: Are you afraid of Satisfaction? Why Am I Always Tired? What Do I Do About Mindless Eating? Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Ready to take the FREE 5-Day email challenge? Sign up here. Want to support the show on Patreon or learn how to leave a review? Learn more at https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 22, 2022
The Model and the Mirror Fast: Featuring Jennifer Strickland
Today Heather chats with Jennifer Strickland, a former model who's appeared in magazines you've probably read and shows you may have seen and worked for designers you've heard of. Jen had amazing success in the modeling world but her life was missing meaning and though she had learned how to use her body to fit an image, she had not yet learned how to use her voice. Jen shares her story of finding Christ while modeling and what her recovery from modeling (and the eating disorder that came with it) looked like. She also talks about how a mirror fast showed her what true beauty really looks like (and where it truly comes from!) Plus: Check out the BONUS content on Patreon from this episode! Here are some other topics covered in this episode "The Model and the Mirror Fast": Jennifer explains how the pressure of modeling is extreme because bodies change every day. Jen talks about how she met Jesus through strangers on the street while she was modeling in Europe. We talk about how deceiving image can be. We discuss the lie of "I am what I see in the mirror." We talk a bit about the behind the scenes yuck of the modeling industry and what it does to young girls. Jen shares about her personal struggle with cystic acne and how a world-renowned dermatologist told her that her issues were so deep, they could only be treated by healing her heart and her mind. Jen shares how God has freed her from the belief that she has to look and how she's learned to look radiant by looking on Him. Go to Patreon for the BONUS content - 10 more minutes of my talk with Jen where she shares about how she's navigated beauty, social media, and related issues with her now college-age daughter. Plus, Jen shares about how she did a 40 Day Mirror Fast and what it taught her. Connect With Compared to Who: Take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge to Improve Your Body Image Here: 5-Day Email Challenge Start reading the Burden of Better here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison Join the Patreon Community here: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Find out more about Coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching Leave a review for the show! Find out more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Learn more about Jennifer Strickland and URMORE ministries here. Jennifer Strickland is an author, TEDx speaker, former model, wife, mother of three, and the founder of U R More, a ministry that teaches people their worth in God’s eyes. Jen has written seven b
Tue, April 19, 2022
You Are More Than A Body With Kristen Clark from Girl Defined
Model Month continues with Heather's conversation with Kristen Clark from Girl Defined. Kristen spent some time as a showroom and conference model in her early twenties. Yes, she was that woman they paid to stand beside the new product to make it look good! But, Kristen shares how the more pressure to be "eye candy" took a toll on her soul. Kristen talks candidly about what happened in her heart as her career demanded she focus more on her body and what she looked like to others. We talk about so many great topics in this interview but one thing is clear: the modeling industry makes it confusing that you are more than a body. You are more than a body! Here are some other things we talked about in today's show: We discussed what happens when you get used to everyone looking at you and how you start to demand that attention and visual approval from others. (Yes, even non-models can relate to this!) We discussed how Kristen, growing up in a Christian home, still felt that need inside to be seen and loved and thought modeling could meet it. Kristen and I talk about the process of re-orienting her heart away from what modeling had taught her and back to the truth of scripture that she is more than just a body. How to live as God's daughters and serve him to live free defining womanhood the way God does! What Kristen would tell her daughter about modeling. How to use the body God has given you to serve his kingdom. The temptations and challenges for moms of daughters with TikTok and You Tube and Instagram -- how to help your daughter not fall into the trap to become a "self made" model online. Kristen shares candidly about her infertility journey and how God took her life in a different direction than she ever planned. About Kristen Clark: Kristen Clark is married to her best friend, Zack, is co-founder of GirlDefined Ministries, and author of Girl Defined , Love Defined , and Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl’s Heart . She is passionate about promoting the message of God-defined womanhood through blogging, speaking, mentoring young women, and hosting Bible studies in her living room. In the end, she’s just a fun-lovin’ Texas girl who adores all things outdoors and drinks coffee whenever possible. Kristen's Books Mentioned Today: (Amazon Affiliate links support this ministry!) Girl Defined Not Part of the Plan - Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story Connect With Compared to Who: Take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge to Improve Your Body Image Here: 5-Day Email Challenge Start reading the Burden of Better here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Com
Fri, April 15, 2022
Secret Life of a Runway Model Part 2: Learning Image Isn't Real
Our brand new series talking to former models continues today with the second part of my conversation with Amanda Cunningham, a former runway model. It's been highly informative to find out more about the secret life of a runway model. Today she shares more about how she came to know Jesus, what finally drove her out of the modeling business, and how God touched the hearts of both her and her new husband to begin to live life in a new way. Amanda and I also talk about what she tells her daughters about modeling, how God is working to heal her from years of disordered eating and negative thoughts around her body, along with other unknowns from the secret life of a runway model that just may surprise you! Learn More About the Secret Life of a Runway Model in Today's Show, Such As: How Amanda felt a draw to find something REAL after years of searching for and perfecting her image. What happened to Amanda after she got pregnant and tried to go back to modeling. The miracle of how God touched her marriage and the hearts of both her and her husband. How modeling has influenced the way Amanda parents her daughters. Connect with Amanda to find out more about the secret life of a runway model and how God has transformed Amanda's heart and life at her website: http://www.amandafromtexas.com or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/amandafromtx/ Are you tired of battling body image alone? Do you wish you had someone to talk to about your body image issues? Consider coaching here: www.comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5-Day email challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Leave a review for this podcast! What a blessing your reviews are. Learn how to do it here: www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 12, 2022
Secret Life of a Runway Model Featuring Amanda Cunningham Part 1
Have you ever looked at a model and thought, "If I could just look like that than I wouldn't struggle with my body image?" I have. I interview Amanda Cunningham, a former runway model who shares some behind the scenes details of what the world of modeling is really like and how being a part of it affected her body image and relationship with food. Guess what: Models have body image issues, too! Today, Amanda shares how her search for something real, something more than just image, eventually led her to check out a church and how she found new life and real meaning through a relationship with Jesus. This is the first episode in our new series on models, modeling, and what we can learn from the women who have had the "magazine cover" look and still struggled with body image. Do Models Have Body Image Issues, Too? Here are Some Secrets Revealed in Today's Show: Amanda shares how she got into modeling and how models have body image issues, too. Amanda talks about the pressure involved in modeling--feeling like your body had to always be perfect and recognizing that every job could make or break your career. Amanda reveals how everything in modeling revolves around the designer's sample sizes -- which are usually a size 0-2. And how challenging it is for many women over to naturally maintain the size and shape of a teenager's body in order to fit in the samples for the shows. We talk about the reality that so many women in modeling are struggling with food, drugs, or even depression--how the image or the "picture" doesn't match what's really going on inside for many women in the industry. Amanda shares her story of a failed marriage, depression, and wondering what she would or could do once her modeling career ended. Come back for part two on Friday when Amanda shares her story and what finally drove her out of the modeling business, how God touched the hearts of both her and her new husband to begin to follow Jesus. Plus: Amanda shares how she talks to her daughters about image and modeling. Connect with Amanda on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/amandafromtx/ or check out her website: http://www.amandafromtexas.com Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5-Day email challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Leave a review for this podcast! What a blessing your reviews are. Learn how to do it here: www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 08, 2022
Fearfully And Wonderfully Made: God Made You on Purpose
Today my guest, Allie Marie Smith, and I talk about the fearfully and wonderfully made verse from Psalm 139:14 and her new book titled, "Wonderfully Made." Allie shares her story of depression and suicide attempts, an eating disorder, and how God has worked through all of her mental health struggles to take her to a greater place of understanding who she is in Him. You will be encouraged by Allie's story and the wisdom she shares will strengthen your faith. "We miss so much when our biggest goal is weightloss." May be a favorite take away. Here are some of the things we discuss on today's show as we talk about how we are "wonderfully made": Allie and I discuss how God's heart for us to not walk in insecurity or in pride and how to find a place of confidence in the middle of that spectrum. We discuss how some have twisted Psalm 139:14--the fearfully and wonderfully made verse--to leave out God, turning it into a self-esteem verse. Allie and I talk about Body Positivity and how it may be the embodiment of Romans 1:25. We talk about how a life focused on body goals can be so small, but God has much bigger purposes for our lives. Allie shares a beautiful illustration from the photo below -- about what's really happening when God asks us to trust him Learn more about Allie Marie Smith's amazing ministry to women here: www.wonderfullymade.org Connect with Allie at @AllieMarieSmith on Instagram or Facebook. Learn more about Compared to Who?: www.comparedtowho.me and sign up for the free 5-Day Email Challenge! Interested in learning more about coaching? Visit: www.comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching Leave a review or a speakpipe voice message for the show here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Support Compared to Who? on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, April 05, 2022
It's Not Your Turn, Or Is It? Waiting for Answered Prayers
It's hard to be in God's waiting room. Whether you're waiting for a spouse, a new job, or some other goal--waiting can be tough. Today I talk to author Heather Thompson Day about her new book, "It's Not Your Turn: What to Do While You're Waiting for Your Breakthrough." Heather and I talk about all sorts of topics related to waiting and living life to the fullest. We talk about how to see every opportunity in life as "your turn" even when the prayer you've been waiting to have answered doesn't seem to be coming. Here are a few of the areas we touch today as we talked about waiting for answered prayers: How do you respond when a friend gets what you've been waiting for. Life is not linear: how getting that thing you've been wanting or waiting for is not really the end goal. What Heather learned from her college track days about comparison. How to honestly cheer for our friends even when we're still waiting for answered prayers. How to be a woman of integrity--in our thoughts and actions--when it comes to comparing ourselves to others. What it means to talk to your brain and why it's important to do this. What fear does to your immune system. How announcing your intentions towards a goal may prevent you from achieving it. And so much more. If you're waiting for an answered prayer or struggling not to compare yourself with others who have what you desire, you'll really enjoy the episode. Even if you're not in God's waiting room, you'll still get a lot out of the nuggets of truth and wisdom Heather shares. Connect with Heather here: https://www.heatherthompsonday.com Buy Heather's Book: It's Not Your Turn or here: https://amzn.to/3sL8BtK (Amazon affiliate link) Connect with Compared to Who? by joining the Compared to Who? email list and take the free 5-Day Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me If you're on Facebook, join the new Compared to Who? insiders group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/comparedtowho Join the new Compared to Who? Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Leave a review of the podcast. Learn how here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast About Heather Thompson Day: Dr. Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker and has been a contributor for Religion News Service , Christianity Today , Newsweek and the Barna Group . She is also the host of Viral Jesus, a podcast with Christianity Today. Heather is an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University . She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called <em
Fri, April 01, 2022
Feeling Awkward Around Food and Aging? Me Too
Today we take a pause to remember what this show is really about. We've spent a lot of time over the past few months talking about food, intuitive eating, and related issues. But, today we revisit the purpose of this show--to help you break free from body image issues and to help you see clearly the way the body image idol works to deceive us. If you are listening to the show and still feeling awkward around food or feeling uncertain about how to navigate a changing body, don't worry. You are not alone. In this episode, Heather talks through how she's feeling awkward around food and aging. Here are some of the topics covered in today's show: Heather shares a personal story of how she recently begged God to let her go back to dieting and disordered eating. We talk about why we feel so pulled towards diets and food plans and structure when it comes to our bodies. We discuss how it's good to see your body as good, but how the temptation to make your body "better" doesn't let us sit in that "good" place for long. We look at how controlling food and our appearance can be an addiction. We examine the reality that feeling awkward with food is part of the process of this journey. Heather uncovers the reality that the struggle is real, but there is great hope for change. Are you on the Compared to Who? email list yet? Join here. Visit www.comparedtowho.me for more information. Ready to leave a review of the show? Want to leave a comment about how the show has blessed you? Go to www.comparedtowho.me/podcast to leave a speak pipe message or to find out how to leave a review on your favorite platform. Interested in becoming a part of the Patreon community? Learn more here: www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 29, 2022
Can a Deeper Understanding of Grace Cure Comparison?
In today's second installment of the Burden of Better Book Club, Heather talks about how understanding grace cures comparison. In her book, The Burden of Better, Heather explores four different manifestations of grace in the daily life of the follower of Jesus. She also answers some of your questions about comparison and idealism (from the first Burden of Better Book Club Episode here.) Here's what to expect from today's show: Heather tackles the following questions: Did you experience any spiritual push back when you realized you were entrenched in this kind of sin? Is it normal to feel overwhelmed with the scope of my discontent? Heather explains four different types of grace: God's saving grace. God's sanctifying grace. God's growing grace. God's sustaining grace. To learn more about the Burden of Better visit this page: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Are you on the Compared to Who? email list yet? Do you get special offers and promos and encouragement twice a month? If not, go to www.comparedtowho.me and take the 5-Day Email Challenge on the front page! Want to buy a copy of Burden of Better? Use this Amazon affiliate link to help support Compared to Who? https://amzn.to/3ubM3Dq Interested in becoming part of our Patreon community? Learn more here: www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Have a question for the next Burden of Better Book Club episode? Leave a voice message at speakpipe or send Heather an email to: heather @ compared to who (dot) me. Here is a partial transcript from the last half of today's show about understanding grace: Section 2 of this book is called the grace-filled life – And in it, I talk about there being 4 different kinds of grace. There is saving grace, sanctifying grace, growing grace and sustaining grace. If you’re like me – you sang Amazing Grace in church and maybe you only thought about grace in the context of Jesus dying on the cross to save you from going to Hell. But, as I explain through this section – a truer and deeper understanding of grace goes much deeper. If we truly understood that God’s saving grace was so much more than saving us from hell after this life – I think we’d all live a little differently. You see the truth is God’s saving grace tells us that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from his love. We are uncon
Fri, March 25, 2022
Help! My Husband Hates My Body Featuring Dr. Juli Slattery
Today Dr. Juli Slattery and I tackle a tough topic: What do you do when you think your husband hates your body. I've have many women reach out to me over the years with this concern. Today, Dr. Slattery and I take a look at this issue from a few different angles and offer hope and help to women who need encouragement in this arena and in their marriages. Sometimes our struggle is about false beliefs and assumptions surrounding our men and what they expect us to look like. But, other times there have been words said or expectations set that can make it feel like you won't be loved unless your body changes. Dr. Slattery helps us break down where to find hope, healing, and truth in each of these situations. Here are some topics discussed in our conversation about what to do if you feel like your husband hates your body: How to process if your husband has made unkind comments about your body. How to take a fresh look at your marriage, intimacy, and what's really going on if you feel like your husband hates your body. How a good sex life has little to do with what your body looks like. Why losing the pounds or fixing the part won't actually work to win your man's attention. How to drop out of the imaginary "beauty contest" for your husband's attention and develop true intimacy. What to do if he's not initiating sex or if you're always turning him down. How to use what you've got to enjoy a fulfilling and pleasure-filled sex life. About Dr. Juli Slattery Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and the president/co-founder of Authentic Intimacy. Juli earned her college degree at Wheaton College, an MA in psychology from Biola University, and an MS and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. From 2008-2012, Dr. Slattery served at Focus on the Family writing, teaching, and co-hosting the Focus on the Family Broadcast. In 2012, she left Focus on the Family to start Authentic Intimacy, a ministry devoted to reclaiming God’s design for sexuality. In 2020, Juli launched SexualDiscipleship.com, a platform designed to help Christian leaders navigate sexual issues and questions with gospel-centered truth. Juli is the author of twelve books and host of the weekly podcast “Java with Juli.” Juli and her husband Mike are the parents of 3 sons; they live in Akron, Ohio. Learn more about Authentic Intimacy and find helpful resources at: www.authenticintimacy.com Connect with Compared to Who? Ready to take the 5-day email challenge? Sign up at www.comparedtowho.me - just look for the red "take the challenge" button! Interested in coaching? Email heather to see if there are any
Tue, March 22, 2022
7 Minutes of Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 and Body Image Fear
Today we look at Matthew 6:25-34 -- a familiar passage in the Bible where Jesus tells us not to worry. But his instruction isn't generic. He tells us not to worry about a few specific things -- he says don't worry about food, drink, and clothing. What? Isn't this what this whole show is about? Body image fear? Here are a few key points about body image fear and fears around our food as we look at the instruction from this passage: We believe fear keeps us safe--safe from health issues or safe from negative opinions of others, but this is just one of fear's lies. Fear tells us that we need it to keep us safe, we need to stay "worried" about our bodies so we don't "let ourselves go." Fear sometimes looks like control and the fear of man (approval) so fear makes a triple play in the arena of body image and food. Dieting, food rules, restriction, control, and body image stress are all a prison where we sit in a cell with the door open. We can have freedom, we simply have to take steps of faith (they can be small) to get out. If you're ready to stop feeling afraid of all things related to your body image and your food, I hope you'll commit this passage to memory! Body image fear does not have to be your prison. Lay Down Your Body Image Fear Here's the text for Matthew 6:25-34 from the ESV (look it up for yourself so you can follow along). Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Be Anxious 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[ a ] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Want to connect with Compared to Who? Visit www.comp
Fri, March 18, 2022
Facing the Fear of Losing Your Health: Feat: Trudy Lonesky
One of the largest obstacles to overcome when you release your body image issues and improve your relationship with food is facing the fear of losing your health. Chances are, you've listened to and read all the data about what happens unless you tightly control your food, your environment, your exercise... everything really. Reality is: there are a thousand reasons to be afraid of what's out there. And, there's only one reason to not be afraid. That is: Jesus. He commands us to fear not. And that includes the fear of losing our health. So how can we start to improve our relationship with food and our bodies while learning to trust him for to lead us and guide us in the arena of health. Even if we do all the right "things" and follow everyone's rules (which, candidly, is an impossible task)--we still have no guarantee that our bodies will do what we want them to do. Today, I talk to Trudy Lonesky, author and host of the Kingdom Mamas Podcast. She shares her amazing story of going from orthorexic-style clean living and eating and extreme exercise that took her to body building competitions to rebuilding her relationship with food and her body in a rightly ordered way. Trudy shares her fears about losing her health along the way and how she's learning to trust God in this arena. If you fear losing your health if you give up all your food rules and diet plans, today's episode is for you. Here are some things we talk about today in the context of the fear of losing your health: What to do when your family history of weight-related diseases is shouting to you to get on another diet. What to do when your husband doesn't understand what you're doing with your food and diet. Trudy shares how working through a new relationship with food has been a process in her marriage. How to handle it when someone's words about your body or weight stick with you. How Trudy went from having an all-or-nothing mentality when it came to eating clean (and then bingeing) to having a healthier relationship with food. Connect with Trudy on her website: www.trudylonesky.com or through the Kingdom Mamas Podcast wherever podcasts are heard. Or find her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/@trudy_lonesky or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trudy.lonesky.9 Interested in coaching? Only a few spots are left for the April session. Find out more here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching or email heather at Heather @ compared to who.me for more information! Have you signed up for the free 5-Day Body Image Email Challenge yet? Learn more at www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at <a href="htt
Tue, March 15, 2022
Are You Afraid of Satisfaction? Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Are you afraid of satisfaction? Does it feel "wrong" to buy something you would like or to eat something that tastes truly delicious? In my intuitive eating coaching call, Erin Todd--co-host of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast--and I talk about why we struggle with satisfaction. We talk about the ways we've subtly learned that it's better or holier to not be satisfied--in everything from our clothing purchases to our food choices. We also talk about the following: Why do we use words like "sinful" or "guilty" when it comes to enjoyable foods? Where does it say in the Bible that we shouldn't enjoy food? If we are to "taste and see that the Lord is good," doesn't that imply it's okay to enjoy what we eat? How we end up believing that self-denial in the arena of food is a path to justification and holiness. What it means to give yourself unconditional permission to eat. Why being afraid of satisfaction is not helpful to your relationship with food (and may connect to disordered eating). How awkward it is to give ourselves permission to eat when we feel like others are watching or others disapprove of our food choices. Why ultimate satisfaction can only come from Jesus, but how he never tells us we can't enjoy the good things he's created for our pleasure. If you've ever felt afraid of satisfaction or feared pleasure, this episode will speak to you! Learn more about Erin Todd and the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast here : https://www.erinltodd.com Listen to our other Intuitive Eating Coaching Calls here: What Do I Do About Mindless Eating from January and Why Am I So Tired All the Time from February. Ready to connect with Compared to Who? Sign up for the free, 5-Day email Challenge here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, March 11, 2022
When You're Afraid of What Others Think featuring Jill Savage
Are you afraid of what others think of you? Maybe you're worried about what they think of your life, your body, your choices, your struggles. Today, author, speaker, and coach, Jill Savage and I tackle how we handle the fear of what others will think of us. Jill has experienced the gamut of life situations that could cause others to raise an eyebrow. From facing infidelity in her marriage (to a pastor), to walking through her son's mental health issues, to her other son's announcement about his sexuality, to walking through her own battles with issues most women face--Jill holds an extensive resume of life experiences that could have caused her to obsess over what other people think. Yet, God's done a work in her life to set her free from living the life of a perfectionist and stressing over what others think. Here are a few of the topics Jill and I walk through today as we discuss being afraid of what others think: How to give up perfectionism. What it looks like to parent without placing the expectation of perfection on our children. How Jill has learned to take the mask off and show others her struggle. And so much more! If you're part of the Compared to Who? Patreon community - head over to www.patreon.com/comparedtowho to listen to the BONUS 15 minutes of content from Jill where she shares the story of her husband's infidelity, how he left her several times, but how he spoke to Jill and restored their marriage--not to how it used to be, but to a new and stronger place. (Now the couple coaches other couples in crisis - learn more here: www.jillsavage.org.) Ready to stop living your life stressed about what others think? Listen to today's episode and then learn more about Jill and grab some of the freebies she's offering here: www.jillsavage.org or at her No More Perfect Moms page here: https://nomoreperfect.jillsavage.org Ready to break free from body image issues? Check out the BRAND NEW, 5 Day Email Challenge on Compared to Who? the website: www.comparedtowho.me press the: Take the Challenge button! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 08, 2022
Why Are We So Afraid of Bread: Conquering the Fear of Bread
This conversation may shock and surprise you. Today, non-diet dietician, Tracy Brown and I have an informative conversation about bread avoidance. Over the last decade--bread has become a "scary" food to many who are dieting or trying to lose weight. But, is bread really something we should be afraid of? Is the frightening truth that we've been manipulated and guided towards certain foods and away from others because of popular trends or even politics? What? Have we been conditioned to be afraid of bread or are we making personal choices about bread based on what's best of our individual health and biochemistry? Here are a few of the things Tracy and I discuss today: I share my story of bread avoidance and fear of bread that started sometime after the low-fat craze ended in the early 2000s. Tracy gives a history of bread--how bread has risen and fallen in popularity since ancient times. We discuss how being afraid of certain foods can make it harder on our bodies to assimilate and digest them. Is avoiding bread really about belonging We talk about books like, "Wheat Belly" that talk about curing other body ailments by avoiding wheat and how to understand and utilize this type of information about food groups. Tracy encourages us with the truth that all bodies are different, and how restricting certain foods just because someone else is doing it (or because someone has a medical reason for doing it) does not mean this is the answer for our unique body and unique physiology. Tracy drops a truth bomb on me when I share all my concerns about bread! Stay until the end when Tracy blows my mind with a statement about the ways popular diets (Keto, Paleo, Vegan/Plant-based) recycle through history and why they do! Do You Have Fear of Bread? Maybe fear or afraid of bread isn't the words you would use, but perhaps you've been avoiding bread for a long time for fear that it would make you fat. This episode has so much truth about how we demonize certain foods as a culture without a lot of backing from science. If you follow the diet trends, you may notice that bread is back with the plant-based diet--after being on the "bad foods" list for so many years with the Paleo and Keto trends. I just read that celebrity Jennifer Anniston has decided she's no longer afraid of bread. A clear sign that the bread avoidance trend is coming to another temporary end. But Tracy and I discuss the truth of how those of us with disordered eating tendencies never really go back and add the "bad foods" back to our diets--even once they become popularly accepted again. Instead, we just keep restricting and taking things away. Today's conversation sheds some real light on how fear-based eating is really not what God designed. About Tracy Brown: Tracy Brown,RD,LD/N is a trau
Fri, March 04, 2022
Conquering the Fear of Fat feat: Nicole Mesita, RD
Today is the start of a new month-long series about conquering our fears related to body image and food. Nicole Mesita, a non-diet RD, joins me to tackle our first issue: Conquering the Fear of Fat. The data surrounding this issue is astounding. Some studies show 63% of American women and 44% of American men are afraid of becoming fat. Eighty-one percent of ten-year-olds also are facing the fear of fat. But is there anything to really be afraid of? Where did this fear of fat come from? What does the Bible say about being afraid of fat? We tackle these issues and more in this episode. Do you struggle with the Fear of Fat? If so, this episode is for you. We also discuss: How to get your focus off of your weight to find true health. Why gluttony may not be the American definition of "overeating" The connection between higher weights and living longer, disease endurance What diet culture is and how it's impacted our thinking What you do when you feel or look like you've gained weight. Connect with Nicole Mesita, RD here: https://www.nicolemesita.com Learn more about BodyBLoved and their courses here: https://www.bodybloved.com Check out Nicole and the Body BLoved Team's 30 Day Devotional Book titled Diet Detox here: https://amzn.to/3IPVQ7W (Amazon affiliate link) Ready to sign up for Group Coaching? Next session begins the week of April 4 and ends mid-May. Get in before summer. Learn more or apply here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/body-image-coaching Join the Compared to Who? Patreon Group here: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 01, 2022
What to Do When Your Husband is Looking at Porn
Today Heather interviews Rosie Makinney of Fight for Love Ministries --a ministry dedicated to helping women affected by porn in their marriages. Rosie shares the resurrection story of her marriage and how she and her husband came to a new place of hope and healing after porn. We go to some hard places today in our conversation about the realities of porn and how it hurts our marriages. Here are some of the topics we tackle: Why we don't talk about it when porn shows up in our marriages and what that does to the issue. How porn use affects our brains, even if we're not the one looking. How porn affects the user's brain, but how you can rewire it! Why porn is so addictive and how it hijacks the brain, making it almost impossible to stop without help or intervention. What porn does to satisfaction in marriage. How to cope with the pain if you've just found out your husband is looking at porn. What to do if you're dating a guy who's using porn. How to be on the same team in fighting porn in your marriage--even while you're still grieving and hurting. Looking for more resources on what to do if your husband is looking at porn? Connect with Fight For Love Ministries: https://www.fightforloveministries.org Listen to the Fight for Love Podcast: https://www.fightforloveministries.org/podcast Listen to Heather's appearance on Fight For Love Podcast: https://www.fightforloveministries.org/podcast-1/episode/23915a1b/64-struggling-with-body-image Learn more about Rosie: Rosie Makinney is an author, speaker and podcaster who ten years ago, entered in the fight against her husband’s compulsive porn use . From the very beginning of her journey, Rosie has been bold and relentless about reaching other wives struggling with porn-invaded marriages and building a recovery community on the Central Coast of California. She is the founder of Fight For Love Ministries, which equips women with the faith and the facts to take back their relationships from porn. Rosie is a Lifeway author, an international speaker, and host of the Fight For Love Podcast. She is also the founder of Fight For Love Ministries which equips women with the faith and the facts to take back their relationships from porn. Need porn accountability software for your home? Learn more about Covenant Eyes: Compared to Who? is a Covenant Eyes affiliate. This is the Internet accountability software used in Heather's home on all of their devices--adults and kids. It offers weekly reporting of what sites have been visited along with alerts. It's worth every dolla
Fri, February 25, 2022
Ideals Become Idols and Other Reasons to Stop Comparing
This is the first in a series of three, monthly episodes where we'll talk about my latest book, The Burden of Better. Even if you've read it, these book club episodes go deeper and wider than what was captured in the book. Today we discuss the first part of the book--which goes into why we compare, the dangers of comparison, and what really happens when we chase our ideals and try to become more like the "ideal me." We also talk about the following: What does it mean to chase better? Why do we chase better in some areas than in others? (Heather shares how she doesn't obsess over being a better wife, but has obsessed over having a better body!) Similarly, why are we tempted to compare ourselves in some areas and not other areas? We talk about how this is not a burden that God puts on us, this is a burden that we choose to carry for ourselves. Why trying to become more like our ideals--or trying to be more like what I "expect" of myself or my life--can keep us stuck carrying this burden. Are ideals bad? Good? Do our ideals lead us closer to Jesus or further away from him? Ready to Break Up With Your Ideals? If you've not read the Burden of Better yet, you can grab your copy today here: https://amzn.to/3HaKGt6 (*Amazon affiliate link) Or, download the first few chapters for free here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Ready to join the Patreon community: Learn more here-- https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho . Ready to learn more about coaching or join the group coaching session? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Do you have a question from the Burden of Better or from today's show you'd like to hear Heather tackle in the next Book Club Episode (March 29)? Go to the podcast page and leave a speak pipe message or click the link to email your question here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, February 23, 2022
What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders
In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, today I'm tackling the data on Eating Disorders. **Trigger Warning**This is a weighty and emotional topic. If you're recovering from an ED or have been diagnosed already, you may want to just skip this episode in case you find it triggering. My purpose today is to expose the many symptoms of eating disorders and alert you to the reality that some of what we consider "normal" in our health culture is actually disordered eating or eating disorder behavior. Almost 30 million Americans have or will have an eating disorder sometime during their lifetime. Many eating disorders go undetected and only 6% of people with eating disorders are underweight. Dieting and restriction are not the pathways to health. In fact, the data shows the opposite. Dieting and food or food group restriction is ineffective at best and could lead to the dangers of disordered eating. Improving your body image doesn't mean you disregard your physical health or ignore the signals when the foods you eat make you feel bad. But food avoidance, food fear, and calorie restriction have consequences that we should all be aware of. Candidly, I would have told you a few years ago there was nothing "unhealthy" about dieting and restricting. I believed this was the only way to have a healthier body. But, now I've learned that this thinking is the same as that which accompanies disordered eating and the mental illness of eating disorder. Yes, it's a mental illness. I think it's time we stop encouraging people to develop a mental illness so their bodies can meet a cultural standard. Here's where we go in today's episode: We talk about how EDNOS--the category Heather used to associate with--is no longer a category and why. The fine line between eliminating foods for other health reasons and triggering an eating disorder. How dieting can lead to eating disorders. Why food shouldn't be a threat to our identity--and yet, somehow, it feels like it is. The most common emotional and physical symptoms of eating disorders And, more... If You're Battling Disordered Eating or Eating Disorders Check Out These Resources: Today's research came straight from the National Eating Disorder Awareness homepage. You can access the data I read today and so much more information on eating disorders here: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders If you think you have an eating disorder, please check out this list of suggested resources here: https://comparedtowho.me/eating-disorder-resources/ Interested in coaching or joining the next coaching group that begins April 4th? Learn more on the coaching tab here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Connect with
Tue, February 22, 2022
Body Image and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a rough time on our body image. Rebekah Hargraves helps me dig into the challenges of body changes during and after pregnancy. Rebekah had her first baby in her early 20s, while I had my first in her early thirties. We compare stories and experiences and talk about the pressures we put on ourselves to come out of pregnancy like a celebrity. There's more to this episode than just pregnancy talk though, here are some other topics Rebekah and I dig into: Why she felt relief of having the 6 week after baby required break from intimacy. How she learned to believe and accept her husband's compliments about her body (even after baby). The lies moms believe around their bodies, their worth, and their calling as a mom. How we respond to what God says about our bodies. How Romans 7 & 8 set Rebekah free from some of the lies she had held on to regarding the need to be a "perfect" mom. How Rebekah found freedom from the "Mommy Wars" And more... Struggling with Pregnancy and Body Image? Here are some more resources: Check out these blog posts about pregnancy and body image Life is Worth the Weight Coveting My Neighbor's Belly: Pregnancy and Body Image Series Pregnancy & Body Image: When You Don't Think Belly Shots are Cute Pregnancy and Body Image: When Pregnancy Ain't No Picnic Connect with Compared to Who? Start reading the Burden of Better or order your copy here: Burden of Better Join the Compared to Who? insiders email list and take the body image5-Day Email Challenge and download the free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" walking workout. https://www.comparedtowho.me Join the Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Leave a review of the show or leave a speak pipe comment: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast About Rebekah: Rebekah Hargraves is a wife, mama, blogger, podcaster, and author whose passion is to edify, equip, and encourage women in their journey of Biblical womanhood, particularly with an emphasis on the gospel and its implications for everyday life. Rebekah's first book, "Lies Moms Believe (And How the Gospel Refutes Them)" released in 2017, and the "Lies Moms Believe" Companion Bible Study came out in 2018. You can find Rebekah on her website, Hargraves Home and
Fri, February 18, 2022
Body After Baby, Surrogacy, and Birthing Your Purpose
My conversation with Tiffany Jo Baker was supposed to be about body after baby. But, where we landed became a beautiful orchestra of many topics ranging from infertility to judging others by their appearance to how to find your purpose. Tiffany Jo Baker is a mom of two and was a surrogate mom for three families dealing with infertility. Whether you're a new mom, or a mom of grown kids...whether you're dealing with body after baby or just wondering if your life has purpose. You'll enjoy today's episode. Here are some of the places we go in today's show: How she decided to be a surrogate mom. How Tiffany's husband felt about her being a surrogate (and delivering someone else's babies on Father's Day!) Dealing with body changes after pregnancy. Learning to accept the story of our lives that our bodies tell. How to be kind to your body after baby. How to stop judging others by how they look. How Tiffany helps women birth their purpose and find out what they were made to do. Remembering that you were born on purpose, for a purpose! There's so much encouragement in today's episode, especially if you're struggling with your body after baby. Connect with Compared to Who? by joining the Compared to Who? insiders email list here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Support Compared to Who? and join the new Patreon Community here: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Leave a review for the show here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast If you're on Facebook, join the new Compared to Who? insiders group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/comparedtowho Grab your copy of Burden of Better before the Book Club begins next week. Start reading and learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ About Tiffany Jo Baker: Tiffany Jo Baker is a caffeinated mom of two teen girls, surrogate mom who has delivered five babies for three families dealing with infertility, proud dog-mom, and wife to an extreme outdoorsman. She is the podcast host of All the Things TV, author of the devotional Soul-Care for Go-Getters, speaker, and strategizer who uplifts the soul and success of women walking out their why at home and online so they can birth their God-given dreams and projects. Connect with: Tiffany Jo Baker here. Check out her podcast here: Host of All the Things TV video podcast Check out her book here: <a href="https:/
Tue, February 15, 2022
Why Am I Always Tired? Intuitive Eating Coaching Call
Today's episode is the recording of my coaching call with my Intuitive Eating Coaches--Char-Lee Cassel, RD and Erin Todd--hosts of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast. The most startling discovery: maybe my lifelong fatigue hasn't been related to eating the "right" foods or the "wrong" foods but could be related to not having enough calories. Both Diet Culture and Health Culture have deceived many of us about the calories we need to function well. I've believed it for years. I thought maybe I was always tired because I was eating foods that my body was sensitive to or eating too much food. But, today we discuss how being underfed (even if you're not underweight) can have an impact on energy levels. If you're always tired, it may not be that you're eating the wrong foods--it may be that you're not eating enough food. We also discuss the cultural phenomena of drinking smoothies--often green smoothies--and how they can sometimes be a healthy nutrition boost but other times be a crutch that keeps us dissatisfied and afraid of other foods. I'm not an intuitive eating expert or a registered dietician. These coaching calls are episodes designed to show you how I'm working through my lifelong issues with foods, diets, and "trying to be healthy" in an attempt to become a more intuitive eater who has a healthy relationship with food. As you listen to our conversation, I hope you'll be encouraged that if food is a struggle for you, you are not alone. This show was not designed to provide specific health related advice. Please seek guidance from a non-diet dietician or other health professional as you make your own choices about food and diet. If you are always tired, please talk to a health professional. If you're interested in learning more about Intuitive Eating listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast here. Always Tired? Listen to These Episodes, Too Have you always believed that 1500 calories was enough (or more than enough) food every day? Listen to this interview with Erin Kerry about what 1500 calories a day does to your brain and body. Are you always tired, restricting or worrying about food, or overeating at night? This interview with Megan Hadley, "Why Do I Overeat at Night" may be of interest. Connect with Compared to Who? take the free body image 5-Day Email Challenge and get your free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" Walking Workout Download here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Support the show by joining our NEW Patreon Community here. We'll have exclusive monthly virtual get-togethers starting in March and so much more. Learn more here: <a href
Fri, February 11, 2022
How to Feel Loved: For Anyone Who Struggles to Feel Loved
Many who struggle with body image and comparison also struggle to feel loved. How do I know? Because I struggle and I've had this conversation countless times with clients and friends. How do we truly feel and know we are loved by God? How do we know and feel like we are loved by our husbands or boyfriends or parents or anyone? Sometimes, it's just hard to feel love. We may know we are loved, but we may not feel it. What Do You Do When You Don't Feel Loved? Today we tackle what's going on and how to get over some of the obstacles that may be keeping you from feeling love. From the narratives and "court cases" we create in our heads to the myth that self love will help us feel more loved, today we're going to explore this topic from several angles. The timing of today's episode is on purpose. This is a weekend when many feel sad and wonder if they're really loved or how they can feel like they are. If you're struggling with those questions today, I hope you'll know this episode is for you. Offers from Compared to Who? Connect with Heather: Connect with Compared to Who? take the body image quiz and get the free walking workout here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Ready to support Compared to Who? on Patreon and join our Patreon community? Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Loving the show? Leave a review! Find out more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Ready for coaching? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Leave a voice message with a question for the show or a comment about how the show has blessed you. Use the speak pipe link at the bottom of this page: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Listen to the marriage episodes mentioned on today's show here: Marriage and Body Image Transcript of today's show: It’s Valentine’s Day weekend and we’re supposed to be in one of two camps -culturally – savoring the “love” we have with someone and celebrating it – or wishing we had that kind of love with someone. I know there’s a strong contingent of better off alone out there -but Valentine’s Day weekend and break even the strongest singleness advocate. But love isn’t what the U.S. commercialized version of V day is all about. There’s a push that “if you loved you would…’ make reservations, buy flowers and candy, cards and jewelry. Yet I wonder – how many of us have ever felt loved, truly loved by any of these things alone. Maybe you do –but that’s not me. It’s hard for me to feel loved sometimes. Even if all the valentine’s day boxes are checked.
Tue, February 08, 2022
Why Do We Want to Control Everything? Feat: Jennifer Dukes Lee
Do you ever feel like life would be easier if you could just control everything? Or, perhaps you'd say you're not controlling...as long as everything goes the way you want it to! Friend, I understand both of those concepts--too well! That's why I invited my friend, author Jennifer Dukes Lee on the show today to talk candidly about it. Jennifer offers some great insights that will encourage your heart if this is an area in which you are wrestling. Here are a few things we talk about today. Why Do We Want to Control Everything? The connection between our desire for approval and control. How it can be very subtle. How high achieving, high capacity women may be more likely to have this challenge. How control keeps us from connection! Why being a 'control freak' is actually an asset in certain professions--but how it may not be an asset at home. How to have a mindset shift in this arena. Why being capable doesn't always equal being called. And so much ore! Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books mentioned in today's show including (Amazon affiliate links): Love Idol: https://amzn.to/34qPFs5 It's All Under Control: https://amzn.to/3stBLOa It's All Under Control Bible Study: https://amzn.to/3ovXbIZ Growing Slow : https://amzn.to/3shDQfQ Find freebies Jennifer mentioned here: https://jenniferdukeslee.com/itsallundercontrol Connect with Jennifer at Jenniferdukeslee.com If you enjoyed this episode and want more ideas to answer the question: Why do we want to control everything? Check out this episode of the podcast called How to Stop Being a Controlling Woman or this one on the connection between eating disorders and control. You may also enjoy these posts from the archives: How a Control Freak Almost Ruined My Marriage and What to Do When You Feel Out of Control with Body Image Issues. Connect with Compared to Who? take the free body image quiz and get your free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" Walking Workout Download here: <a href="htt
Fri, February 04, 2022
How to Stop Being a Controlling Woman
I know all about battling control and so does today's guest, Shannon Popkin, author of the book, "Control Girl." Today, Shannon and I talk about all things related to how to stop being a controlling woman. We talk about: why women control, how we control, and what some of the antidotes are for control. If you're looking for help on how to stop being this kind of controlling woman, I hope you'll tune in to this delightful and informative conversation. Here are some of the highlights from How to Stop Being a Controlling Woman: Shannon and I share our stories of trying to control our husband's clothing choices (and not in a helpful way!). We talk about where this whole struggle with control began, biblically, and how women have been wrestling control since the days of Eve. We talk about becoming aware of the things we are trying to control and then becoming realistic about what is within our control and what is outside of our control. Controlling our bodies, our food, our families, and other things can have a real (and damaging) impact on our lives. We discuss some of the effect of control. We end with some encouragement for moms who have a prodigal child, are trying to raise "healthy" daughters, and more. You may want to check out Heather's confession of being a controlling woman and how it affected her marriage in this blog post. Mentioned in today's show: Shannon's book, Control Girl - Find it here on Amazon (Amazon affiliate link). https://amzn.to/3oo2URc Shannon's first episode with Heather on comparison. LIsten here. https://comparedtowho.me/podcast-quitting-the-comparison-girl-game-with-shannon-popkin/ Erin Davis's book, Grafitti for girls. (Amazon affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3rpbUYh Get freebies from Shannon here: https://www.controlgirl.com Connect with Shannon here: https://www.shannonpopkin.com or on Instagram or Facebook. Offers from Compared to Who? Connect with Heather: Connect with Compared to Who? take the body image quiz and get the free walking workout here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Ready to support Compared to Who? on Patreon and join our Patreon community? Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Loving the show? Leave a review! Find out more here: <a href="https://www.c
Tue, February 01, 2022
7 Minutes of Scripture Esther: Beauty Didn't Lead to a Fairy Tale
You asked for more 7 minutes of scripture episodes...so today we'll tackle Esther chapter 2 in about seven minutes (or 17 minutes...it's a full chapter!) Today we look at how for Esther beauty didn't lead to a fairy tale. Too often the story of Esther is presented as a rags-to-riches, inspirational tale--like the Cinderella story of the Bible. But the reality of Esther's story is much harder than that. And, though Esther had tremendous beauty-- she had beauty for a purpose. God gave her great beauty but that didn't make her life easy. Instead, it got her thrown into what we'd now call a form of slavery where she was used and tossed aside at the king's pleasure. She had no freedom or autonomy, even after she was named his queen. In this episode we talk about the reality that beauty doesn't always lead us to easy places. In fact, for Esther, it was quite the opposite. But, God gave her everything she needed to accomplish his purpose for her life--and that purpose was to save the Jewish people. Read the entire book of Esther after you listen for even greater insight into the story. Esther: Beauty Doesn't Always Lead to a Fairy Tale Listen and learn about the reality of Esther's story and stay tuned to the end where we explore some takeaways to apply to your life and struggles today. Are you on Compared to Who's exclusive email list? Join here and take the free body image quiz and download the free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison." Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 28, 2022
How to Stop the Brain from Overthinking and Rest
Who has a brain that just won't turn off? I do! Today we talk with the Mindset Makeover Coach, Alicia Michelle about how to find rest by focusing on what we're thinking (and overthinking) about. If you've wondered how to stop the brain from overthinking, today will be a super helpful show for you. In this series on habits that will actually change our year, we talk about how important it is to rest. But, instead of talking about getting more sleep or turning off Netflix, Alicia talks about how in order to truly experience rest we have to first address what's going on in our brains and we have to help them rest. If you are an over-thinker or a "brain won't stop" kind of person, today's show will be a huge help to you! Alicia and I talk about: Why our brains compare us to others. Why we can't rest when we're relying on old patterns of thinking to tell us how to be or act. How our desire for approval can prohibit us from resting. How to deal with disappointment. How finding a healthy definition of success is vital. How to find peace so we can rest! If you've ever struggled with overthinking, lying in bed with a brain that won't turn off, or you feel like you're constantly going because your brain won't give you a rest--this show is for you. Want more information on how to stop the brain from overthinking? Connect with Alicia and get her free goodies here: https://www.vibrantchristianliving.com Connect with Compared to Who? and get on the insiders list, take the body image quiz, and get the free walking download here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Check out Heather's book, The Burden of Better referenced in today's show. You can start reading the first two chapters free! Listen to other shows with similar topics here: How to Transform Your Thought Life How to Hush the Hustle Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 25, 2022
Daniel Fast, Sugar Fasts, and the Truth About Biblical Fasting
This is part 2 of a conversation with Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD on the topic of fasting. In the last episode we discussed whether or not someone with an eating disorder or recovering from an eating disorder should try fasting and what the dangers and challenges are surrounding that. Today, we dig deeper into scripture. We look at the Daniel Fast, Sugar Fasts, and uncover the truth about biblical fasting and answer the question: Should Christians who have had an eating disorder or disordered eating fast? Yes, fasting is a spiritual discipline and a biblical concept. Listen to part one of this interview here titled: Should I fast if I had an eating disorder or suffer from disordered eating? Should Christians With An Eating Disorder Past Do the Daniel Fast or a Sugar Fast? But, today Amy and I look at the ways in which we may have distorted the beauty of fasting to seek God's face and replaced it with fasting to get skinny or have smoother skin. We discuss the ways in which fasting has been co-opted by Diet Culture and how there are better words and concepts we should use if we want to talk about cutting certain items out of our diets or lives--words that don't obstruct the sacredness of the concept of fasting. Amy and I start this episode by digging in where we left off last time -- examining Daniel 1:15 in the ESV that talks about how Daniel and friends were "fatter in appearance" after their 10 day fast. We look at the miracle of this, what we misinterpret about this passage, and why Christians should think twice before trying to eat like Daniel or interpreting this passage as a biblical instruction for how to eat now. We also talk about sugar fasts and how they may make your body look good but can be harmful for those who still don't have a healthy relationship with all foods. If you're trying to recover from an eating disorder or stuck in the rut of feeling afraid of certain foods, a sugar fast could put you on the wrong track. Here are some of the passages we look at in today's show about fasting, Christians and the practice of fasting, and biblical fasts: Isaiah 58 - the whole chapter is on fasting but Amy digs in to verses 5-11 especially. Daniel 1 - the entire story of Daniel and his friends in the palace and their experience with refraining from the king's food. Matthew 6:16 - a verse on how to not look like the Pharisees when you fast. Link to the b
Fri, January 21, 2022
Should I Fast if I Had an Eating Disorder? A Look at Fasting
Sugar fasts. Daniel fasts. Lenten fasts. Churchwide fasts. Intermittent fasting. There is so much talk about fasting in our culture today, that it can become confusing to figure out what the Bible says about fasting versus what our culture (and Diet Culture) teaches about its role. Today, Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD - a registered, non-diet dietician and I talk about all things fasting. We tackle some BIG questions and leave you to do some heart searching and questioning too. Heather shares her hilarious adventures with sugar fasting and Lent, but also talks about what happens when she tries to fast with her church because of her eating disorder history. This is a must-listen, paradigm changing episode. The big topic in this episode (part 1 of 2) is the question: Should I fast if I had an eating disorder? Amy and Heather also talk about the following: What is the biblical definition and purpose for fasting. Why much of what we call "fasting" may actually be dieting for Jesus How to know if fasting is triggering you to go back to ED behaviors How to know if you can fast after recovery and ways to make sure it doesn't trigger a relapse What the Bible REALLY teaches us about fasting (especially in Daniel) Learn more about Amy Carlson, get the Peace with Food App, or connect with her here: https://www.hellopeacewithfood.com Connect with Compared to Who? to take the Body Image Quiz and download your "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" walking workout here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Heather's 10 Day Reading Plan on You Version yet? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/read-plans-from-heather-creekmore-on-youversion-the-bible-app/ Do you have a question you'd like to have tackled on the show? Send it to Heather at heather @ compared to who (dot) me. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 18, 2022
Changing How You Think About Your Body with Barb Raveling
If you're familiar with scripture, you've likely heard the instruction to be transformed by the renewing your mind--an instruction from Romans 12. But how do we renew our minds? What does it look like to renew our minds in the body image arena? Is changing how you think about your body even possible? Today Heather talks with Barb Raveling about all sorts of helpful things in this arena. Barb instructs us how to renew our minds from a macro perspective, and from a micro-perspective. Barb even walks Heather through an exercise of how she would change what she thinks and the action she takes after she feels like she's been overeating and gained weight. Here are a few other things we talk about in relation to changing how you think about your body: How do we stop condemning ourselves for the way our bodies look. What practical habits do we need to change or add so we can be in the regular practice of renewing our minds. How we have to capture our thoughts before we can change them. What do you do when your brain defaults to, "I'm horrible unless I look like that" mode. Why most people don't really care what we look like (even if we're obsessing over it.) How the "high school cheerleader" scenario may teach us something about our value and our bodies. Asking the question: "Can I believe that what God says about me is what's most important?" How to have weapons prepared to fight before you go in the spiral and once it starts! There's so much good stuff in this episode, you just may want to listen twice. Learn more about Barb and check out her renewing the mind tools or learn more about her Renewing of the Mind book here: https://amzn.to/3Fqi65U (Amazon affiliate link. A tiny portion of your purchase goes to Compared to Who's ministry.) Plus check out Barb's brand new Bible study on the book of James here. Want to really get into scripture this year? Check out Heather's new Compared to Who? plan on You Version. Have you taken the Body Image Quiz and gotten your free Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison workout yet? Sign up here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 14, 2022
What Do I Do About My Mindless Eating?
Today I'm inviting you to eaves drop on my very first intuitive eating coaching call. Today, my coaches are Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel, hosts of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women podcast. They've been on the show before and now they're back to help ME figure out how to become a more intuitive eater. My biggest struggle, as we talk about today, is: What do I do about my mindless eating? Erin and Char-Lee guide me through a process of thinking about my habits and examining them in a non-judgmental, grace-filled way. We talk about my mindless eating while I work or tackle "hard tasks" on the computer. Stick around to the end of the show if your mindless eating happens in front of the television or at other times--we discuss this too. If you're new to Intuitive Eating or are wondering if Intuitive Eating would be good for you, I hope you'll give it a listen. Do you struggle with mindless eating too? Have another question about intuitive eating? Drop Heather a line so you know you're not alone. Plus, she may be able to get your question answered in an upcoming coaching call. Heather @ Compared to Who (dot) me. Want to learn more about Erin and Char-Lee? Listen to their podcast or read about them here. Listen to the other episodes I recorded with Erin and Char Lee here (https://comparedtowho.me/all-roads-lead-to-intuitive-eating-what-we-learned-about-dieting/ ) and here (https://comparedtowho.me/dieting-causes-weight-gain-other-truths-about-eating/ ) Want to connect with Compared to Who? Sign up for our email list so you know what episodes are coming! Plus you can take the free body image awareness quiz and download your free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" walking workout. Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 11, 2022
Make Bible Reading More Interesting (and Spicy!)
This month we're talking about resolutions that will actually change your year and your life. One of the most important things we can decide to pursue each year is growth with God through Bible reading. But, it's not always easy. Let's be honest, sometimes it's hard to get into God's word. It may feel boring, it may be hard to understand, or we may not even know where to begin. Today we'll talk about how to make Bible reading more interesting, or shall I say, spicy! Today's guest brings the spice! Stephanie Rousselle leads an organization called Gospel Spice and she has a podcast also called Gospel Spice. Stephanie helps people make their relationships with God "spicier" but shining light on the truth of the Gospel and uncovering just how flavorful that really is. Today Stephanie and I talk about how to make Bible reading more interesting. Specifically we chat about: Why being in God's word everyday is important but how to change your perspective from thinking about it as a duty. Why it can be hard for us to feel like the Bible is interesting to read. How to reframe the way we think about reading the Bible so we can't wait to dig in. The reality of how distractions will happen when you try to read your Bible. The importance of setting up a routine that works for your season and stage in life. If you're ready to start reading the Bible daily but aren't sure where to start, check out Heather's 10 day Bible Reading Plan on You Version , the Bible App. It's a great place to start. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 07, 2022
What Journey Are You On: Why Thin is Not A Destination
I always get revved up at the beginning of the new year for a fresh start, a new journey. But in today's show I explore how, many years, I put myself on the wrong path. Looking at the classic story from John Bunyan's, "A Pilgrim's Progress" we take a deeper look at how easy it is for us, as Christians, to get distracted from the one path we should be on. You'll be encouraged by this allegory and how it applies to our lives as we approach a new year! Today Heather asks: "What journey are you on?" Is it a journey to be healthier? A journey to be more organized? A journey to be a better mom, wife, friend, or sister? No matter what your journey, it's important to not forget the ultimate journey that every Christian is on. I know, personally, I spent most of my life on a journey to be thinner. I treated "thin" like a destination, like a magical place I'd arrive at and everything would be better in my life. Through the ups and downs of my weight struggle, I've recognized that thin is not a destination and that over-focusing on it distracts me from my true path. Mentioned in Today's Show: Pilgrim's Progress Movie 2019: https://amzn.to/32P5wjk (affiliate link) ReFOCUS21 online body image and food freedom course : https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ Compared to Who? the blog Compared to Who? book Get on the Compared to Who? Insiders list and take the body image quiz (and get a free walking workout) The Burden of Better Book: How a Comparison Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest Other Episodes and Podcast Series Mentioned Today: 30 Days to Pray for Your Body Image : https://comparedtowho.me/category/30-days-to-pray-for-body-image/ Spring Break Free - 30 Day Series to Break Free from Body Image Issues: https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, January 04, 2022
3 Tips to Improve Body Image in the New Year
It's a new year and everywhere you look you'll find advice for getting a "new you in 2022!" In today's show we take a different, unconventional approach to looking at the most effective ways to meet our goals this year. I'll share with you the three secrets to meeting your body image and other goals this year: Look Up, Look Out, and Look Away. Mentioned in Today's Show: ReFOCUS21 online body image and food freedom course : https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ Compared to Who? the blog Compared to Who? book Get on the Compared to Who? Insiders list and take the body image quiz (and get a free walking workout) The Burden of Better Book: How a Comparison Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest Other Episodes and Podcast Series Mentioned Today: 30 Days to Pray for Your Body Image : https://comparedtowho.me/category/30-days-to-pray-for-body-image/ Spring Break Free - 30 Day Series to Break Free from Body Image Issues: https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ Why Self Love is not the answer and What the Bible Teaches About Self Love, Self Esteem and Body Image : https://comparedtowho.me/what-the-bible-teaches-on-self-esteem-self-love-and-body-image/ Here's a snippet of the transcript from the end of today's show: Okay – elephant in the room this time of year is always 'How am I going to lose weight." Or, most of us have been programmed now to say, "How am I going to get healthier" – We've learned that diet culture is bad and so now we use the word health to make it all sound better! Who can argue with health? According to the BMI chart, diet culture, and what we see on Instagram need to lose a few pounds to be "HEALTHY". Now –again – we'll deal with whether or not these systems and influencers are the best authorities in a second – but let's leave it for now. It doesn't really matter what they say - we feel it? Right. The holidays were fun. We ate foods we wouldn't normally eat and part of us, just physiologically, craves a healthier way. Our pants feel tighter and we don’t want to go buy new ones because we ate too many cookies in December. Friend, I get it. But, her
Bonus · Tue, December 21, 2021
Christmas Devotional Bonus Episode: Rejoice! Jesus Has Come!
Today I'm delighted to share with you a special bonus episode created by members of the Spark Media Collective -- a network of Christian podcasters of which I'm delighted to be a part. You can find many great, encouraging Christian podcasts here: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ -- including some of the ones featured in this Christmas episode. Don't miss Heather's encouraging message about body image at Christmas time --it's about half way through the episode! Compared to Who? is on break until January 4th --when we'll be back with encouragement for the new year. Praying you have wonderful, blessed, and joyous Christmas season. Considering supporting the Compared to Who? show or ministry before year end? Even a gift of $3 a month can have an impact. Check out the Buy Me a Coffee page: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/comparedtowho or support through Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Merry Christmas! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, December 17, 2021
Dieting Causes Weight Gain & Other Truths About Eating
Does dieting cause weight gain? Are there "truths" we've learned about food and diet that may not be "true" after all? This interview with my friends Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel--hosts of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast will open your eyes to a new way of thinking about food in light of scripture and the Gospel! Today we work our way through my questions and the big take aways from the interviews I've done with non-diet dietitians through the Fall. Char Lee is a registered dietician and exercise physiologist. Erin is an attorney by day and a food freedom fighter by night. Both of these women are passionate about helping others find freedom from diet culture, food obsession, and eating disorders. You'll want to take notes on what we talk about today. It's that good! Today we discuss: How dieting leads to weight gain. Correlation versus causation--why body size may not be responsible for health problems. What HAES stands for and how all the science means nothing without the Gospel. How using food to come with trauma may be something to be thankful for. What Body Image idolatry means and how it keeps us stuck in diet culture. Connect with Erin here and Char-Lee here and listen to their podcast and find their phenomenal resources (including that guide they have to get started!) here! https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Here are the other episodes referenced in today's show: Part 1 of this interview: All Roads Lead to Intuitive Eating: What We Learned About Dieting Interview with Dr. Stefani Reinold on candy: How Do I Handle All the Holiday Candy? Feat Dr. Stefani Reinold Interview with Megan Hadley on over-eating late in the day: Why Do I Over Eat In the Evening? Featuring Megan Hadley RDN, LDN Interview with Tracy Brown on trauma and eating disorders: Body Image, Trauma, & Healing ED: Featuring Dietician Tracy Brown Interview with Brittany Braswell on behaviors that eating disorders help us cope with: 7 Reasons We Keep Eating Disorder Behaviors w/Brittany Braswell Books referenced in this episode (Amazon affiliate
Tue, December 14, 2021
All Roads Lead to Intuitive Eating: What We Learned About Dieting
Today I sit down with my friends Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel--hosts of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast--to talk about the key take aways from the interviews I've done with non-diet dietitians through the Fall. Char Lee is a registered dietician and exercise physiologist. Erin is an attorney by day and a food freedom fighter by night. Both of these women are passionate about helping others find freedom from diet culture, food obsession, and eating disorders. This episode is so good, friends. You'll probably need to listen twice. Today we talk about: What really happens in your body when you starve it (why it feels SO good to be calorie deficient.) This answer will stun you. How incredibly compassionate God was in how he created our bodies and responses to starvation. What the difference is between intuitive eating and "eating whatever you want" with a diet mentality still present. How to handle the candy (and how it worked for me when I took Dr. Stefani Reinold's advice after this episode.) How Char Lee handles treats with her child. (Your mind will be blown.) And so much more. This is part 1 of a 2 part interview to be continued on Friday! Connect with Erin here and Char-Lee here and listen to their podcast and find their phenomenal resources here! https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com Are you on Heather's Compared to Who? email list? Get encouragement in your inbox, freebies, and special discounts on coaching, courses, and books. Heather sends this list things no one else sees-- so join today! https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read the Burden of Better yet? It's a great gift for the woman who has everything and still wonders if it's enough! Or, it's a great read as you start the new year! Start reading the first two chapters here. https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Consider making a year end donation to support the work of Compared to Who? Support on Patreon here or Buy Me a Coffee here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, December 10, 2021
Practical & Tactical Ways to Keep Body Image Peace Part 2
Today my guest is Kasey Shuler from the Joyful Health Collective. Kasey is a personal trainer who loves helping people integrate the concept of joyful movement into their lives. In this episode, she helps us discover practical and tactical ways we can keep our body image peace during December (and all year round!) This is part 2 of a 2 part interview. Today we discuss: What do you say when a family member asks about your diet or questions food choices? How to incorporate joyful movement into your holidays naturally. Ways to get the whole family involved in joyful movement during holiday celebrations. How to KEEP your peace this Christmas and all year long! Connect with Kasey here or here on social media here: joyfulhealthco or here: https://www.facebook.com/Joyful-Health-Co-111999537943603/ Grab Heather's NEW Comparison-Free Christmas Reading Plan on You Version. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/read-plans-from-heather-creekmore-on-youversion-the-bible-app/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, December 07, 2021
Practical & Tactical Ways to Keep Your Body Image Peace
Today my guest is Kasey Shuler from the Joyful Health Collective. She helps us discover practical and tactical ways we can keep our body image peace during December (and all year round!) This is part 1 of a 2 part interview. Today we discuss: How healthy spiritual habits become lifesavers when we're stressed out. How the simple act of breathing can help you calm and de-stress. Why survival mode isn't your friend. How going outside can change your perspective, on everything! How being mindful of our own bodies sets us up for healthy connection with others. Here are some of the verses Kasey mentions in today's episode: 1 Corinthians 12:27 2 Corinthians 5:17 John 1:12 Connect with Kasey here or here on social media here: joyfulhealthco or here: https://www.facebook.com/Joyful-Health-Co-111999537943603/ Grab Heather's NEW Comparison-Free Christmas Reading Plan on You Version. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/read-plans-from-heather-creekmore-on-youversion-the-bible-app/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, December 03, 2021
7 Reasons We Keep Eating Disorder Behaviors w/Brittany Braswell
My two-part interview with Brittany Braswell, non-diet RD continues with Brittany and I discussing her list of 7 reasons we hold on to ED (eating disorder) behaviors. She takes us through all of the reasons why we may keep turning to our disordered eating or eating disorder behaviors because, in some way, these behaviors are meeting emotional/deeper needs for us. From control to anger issues, and from anxiety and stress to stuffed emotions--you'll be interested and amazed to see all the ways how we treat food can really be about something deeper. Getting real food freedom comes in part when we can learn what's beneath our food related behaviors. Here's what else to expect from today's show: Learn about the circle of control and how control issues around food and exercise can show up as young as age 8. Isaiah 55 and our control issues How being the wardrobe police for your husband may be a control issue Control may not lead us where we hope it will lead us Brittany explains how, "There's no body size that makes us enough or not enough to the Lord." And, so much more! Listen and tell a friend about it. Connect with Brittany: www.brittanybraswellrd.com or follow her on social media @brittanybraswellrd Download Heather's new Comparison-Free Christmas plan on You Version. Find out more here. Support Compared to Who? or leave a review of the show: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 30, 2021
Eating Disorders Versus Disordered Eating & Releasing Control
We continue my series with non-diet dietitians today and Friday with a two-part interview with Brittany Braswell, RD. Today Brittany and I dig into all things eating disorders and disordered eating. Do you know the difference between those two terms? Today, Brittany answered this question and more as we talk about control and food issues. Here are a few other questions answered in today's episode: How do you know when you have an eating disorder? How do you tell when someone has an eating disorder? Isn't it easy to spot anorexia? What about binge eating? If I overeat sometimes, how do I know if it's Binge Eating Disorder? What happens when we compliment women on their bodies if they're struggling with ED or disordered eating? This episode is chocked full of information! Share it with a friend. Connect with Brittany here: www.brittanybraswellrd.com or follow social media @brittanybraswellrd Also mentioned in today's episode: My interview with my intern, Amber. Listen here. Have you downloaded Heather's You Version Bible App reading plan: Have a Comparison-Free Christmas? Learn more here. Support Compared to Who? or leave review. Find out more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 26, 2021
Quieting the Shout of Should This Holiday Season
You should have better Christmas lights, you should have already decorated, you should be baking treats, but you should also be watching your treat intake . . . Does "should" ever haunt you? Culture and a few scrolls on Instagram tell us we're supposed to be doing any number of things, well, and all at the same time. The pressure can be overwhelming! Today my guest is Crystal Stine, she's an author and speaker, and today we talk about how to quiet the shout of should during the holiday season and all year long. The pressure is off my friend. Listen and be encouraged. Connect with Crystal and learn more about her at: https://www.crystalstine.me Mentioned in today's show: Download Heather's new "a Comparison-Free Christmas" reading plan on You Version App Crystal Stine's book The Shout of Should (On sale on Black Friday for CHEAP!) Heather's book The Burden of Better A Praying Life by Paul Miller Crystal Stine's book Holy Hustle Check out Crystal's Shout of Should Reading Plan on You Version App Want to win a copy of Heather's "The Burden of Better" AND Crystal's "The Shout of Should"? Leave a review of this podcast (directions for leaving a review are here at https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast - scroll to bottom), screen shot your review and email it to Heather at: Heather @ Compared to who (dot) me. Already reviewed the show? That's okay. Screen shot it...or for bonus points - share an episode on social media or with a friend! (Amazon affiliate links allow a tiny portion of your purchase to support Compared to Who?'s ministry) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 23, 2021
Heather's Holiday Thrive Guide
Shopping, food, and body image...oh my! The holiday season can feel like a time when our body image is under attack! But, what if there were a way to THRIVE instead of just SURVIVE the holidays. Today, Heather talks about: Dealing with holiday food issues Dealing with the people in your life that want to comment on your size or food during the holidays (or can't STOP telling you about their new diet!) What I'm learning about Intuitive Eating and the damage of diets A creative way to turn your food issues into a service opportunity What to do if you buy all the things when holiday shopping The realities of the clearance rack "Have a Comparison-Free Christmas" - Heather's brand new reading plan on You Version (The Bible App) And more! If you want to thrive this holiday season, listen to this fun holiday epsiode! Support Compared to Who?'s ministry this Fall: Are you on Compared to Who?'s friends exclusive email list? Sign up here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon Support on Buy Me a Coffee Support by leaving a review of the show (scroll to the bottom) Support by leaving a review of the book Compared to Who? or Burden of Better . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 19, 2021
The War for Our Girls (Children) featuring Yvette Hampton
Five minutes online and you can see what our girls are up against. It seems like, from every angle, their identities are under attack. From the hyper sexualization of young teens to gender dysphoria to the all out war on biblical truth--girls (and really our boys, too) face more challenges than previous generations. Today my friend Yvette Hampton and I talk about what's really going on with our girls, what they're being taught about their identity in schools, and how parents can intervene to help girls find their true identity and purpose in Jesus Christ. I timed this episode to intentionally help parents who will get the opportunity to spend more time with their children over Thanksgiving break. Dig in, moms! Find out what your children are being taught about their identity and purpose. It's never too late to change the conversation. Yvette Hampton is the producer and host of the documentary, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution and The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast . As a mom who is concerned for the future of this generation, Yvette has a deep desire to see a culture shift by encouraging people through God’s Word. She and her husband, Garritt, have a passion for strengthening and equipping families and the homeschool community by teaching parents how to live out their convictions and point their children towards Christ. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mom. Learn more by visiting SchoolhouseRocked.com . Learn more about the School House Rocked documentary here: https://watch.schoolhouserocked.com/index/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 16, 2021
Do You Have Healthy Boundaries? Feat. Sarah Geringer
Today we take a little break from our non-diet dietitians series to bring you more holiday specific content. Today's show features my friend author Sarah Geringer--author, podcast host, artist, and mom of three. Sarah and I talk about boundaries and why boundaries are so important, especially for those of us prone to people pleasing and needing approval. We also talk about: -How to handle the holidays if you feel pulled in many directions and aren't sure what to do. -How scripture meditation can help your thought life. -Sarah's new book, Transforming Your Thought Life for Teens and how it can be a great resource for any teen you know. -How being honest with Gen Z is the way they prefer it--they want to hear about your struggles. Here are some resources mentioned during the show: Sarah's previous episode on Compared to Who? Boundaries book by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend *Affiliate link Connect with Sarah, get the free discussion guide, and learn more about her new book for teens here at www.sarahgeringer.com Want to support Compared to Who? this November? Support on Patreon or Buy Me A Cup of Coffee or leave your podcast review here (Scroll to bottom of page for directions). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 12, 2021
Navigating Holiday Eating & More: Featuring Megan Hadley (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of an interview with Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, LDN -- a non-diet dietician whose advice you will really enjoy. In the first episode Megan talked about why we tend to overeat in the afternoon or evening (or whenever we get home) and how we can alter our habits to avoid brain fog and that "I must eat all the things" feeling at the end of a day. In today's episode, Megan shares more about this and how restriction will always lead to over-doing it. We talk about the impact of restriction, how a non-diet approach helps, and we talk about why you should absolutely never tell yourself that your diet starts January 1st. (Unless, of course, you want to eat more during the holidays!) There's so much good stuff in this interview. Share it with a friend! And make sure you listen to part 1 of this interview first! Connect with Megan at: https://www.instagram.com/tasteandseerd https://www.instagram.com/forkthefoodrules or on her website at: http://www.simplenutritioncounseling.com/ Connect with Compared to Who? at https://www.comparedtowho.me or at https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho It's November! Have you ever considered supporting Compared to Who? This show is run on contributions of loyal listeners like you. To fund this show fully for next year, we need to raise another $1800. Would you consider helping? A gift of ANY size helps! You can even give $5 at buy me a coffee and make a huge difference! Thank you for your consideration! Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho or at https://www.buymeacoffee/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 09, 2021
Why Do I Over Eat In the Evening? Featuring Megan Hadley RDN, LDN
This is Part 1 on a 2 part interview with Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, LDN -- a non-diet dietician whose advice you will really enjoy. In today's episode we answer the question, "Why do I always overeat at night (or when I get home in the afternoon)?" If you've ever come home and eaten ALL. THE. THINGS. then this episode is for you. In today's episode, Megan shares how she started working with eating disorder patients, how she struggled with obsessing over clean eating and wellness, and how she helps clients learn to fight fatigue and get comfortable with food again. Tune in for part 2 of this interview on Friday! Connect with Megan at: https://www.instagram.com/tasteandseerd https://www.instagram.com/forkthefoodrules or on her website at: http://www.simplenutritioncounseling.com/ Connect with Compared to Who? at https://www.comparedtowho.me or at https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho More About Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, LDN: Megan Hadley, MS, RDN, and LDN is a nutrition therapist and owner of Simple Nutrition, a nutrition counseling practice in Greensboro, NC and founder of Fork the Food Rules, a membership for people who have decided not to diet. She believes that all bodies are good bodies and that from cake to kale, all foods are good foods. After helping hundreds of clients recover from diet culture, Megan knows that when women think less about food and body and more about what really matters to them, they begin to thrive in all areas of their life. When she’s not working, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She loves cooking, traveling, long naps, good wine, and french fries. Megan finds her strength, both personally and professionally, rooted in her deep faith in Christ, as she knows she was created to live a life of abundance and to help other women believe and discover that, as well. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, November 05, 2021
7 Minutes of Scripture: Colossians 2 and Food Rules
We interrupt our non-diet dietician series to look at what the Bible has to say about food rules. No one's trying to say that the Bible is completely against your diet, but it's very interesting how Paul encourages the church at Colossus to not take pride in their ability to follow rules (even food rules) because they are saved through the grace of Christ alone. Today, Heather spends 7 minutes look at the passage in Colossians 2:16-23 . Read along as you listen to get a greater understanding for yourself of what this scripture has to say to us and our tendency to want to justify ourselves through our ability to follow all the rules! Support Compared to Who? Give through Patreon Give through Buy Me a Coffee Leave a Review (instructions at the bottom of this page!) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, November 02, 2021
Grace-Based Eating Featuring Brooke Fredrickson, RD
We continue our series talking to non-diet dietitians, with an informative interview with Brooke Fredrickson, RD. Today, Brooke and Heather discuss what it means to eat with grace. Some of the fascinating nuggets of this conversation include: Brooke's personal story with disordered eating and food rules. (She kept a food journal and wrote a "good" or "bad" verdict at the bottom of each page!) How her training to become an RD may have led to an even greater fixation on the food. Health at Every Size (HAES) -- what it means, what's good about it, and what might cause you to take caution. How removing weight from your food choices can change everything. What it means to be weight neutral. What to do if you want to start healthier conversations around food and weight, but are surrounded by friends who just don't get it. You'll enjoy this encouraging and truth-filled episode. About Brooke: Brooke is a registered dietitian and bible-believing Christian. She uses a non-diet, weight neutral approach to help others heal their relationship with food and their bodies. She is a co-host of the Eat With Grace podcast and runs a private practice in rural North Dakota. She loves to be outdoors, eat delicious food, and spend time with her husband and two kids. Connect with Brooke at: https://www.brookefredrickson.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/eatwithgrace or Instragram at https://www.instagram.com/eatwithgrace_rd Connect with Heather at Compared to Who? via Compared to Who? at https://www.comparedtowho.me - Take the free Body Image Awareness Quiz or download your free walking workout to "lose the weight of comparison." Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 29, 2021
How Do I Handle All the Holiday Candy? Feat Dr. Stefani Reinold
Candy is EVERYWHERE. Seems like October rolls around and the candy doesn't leave until January. But, then it only stays gone until February when Valentine's candy shows up, which rolls right into Easter candy time. How do we handle ALL the candy? How do we handle it with our children? How do we handle it with ourselves? What do you do if you feel like you can't "trust yourself" around candy? How do you keep your kids from having a disordered relationship with candy? All of these questions and more are what we tackle in today's episode! Dr. Stefani Reinold is a psychiatrist and ED specialist who has worked with more than a thousand women and girls to help them find a healthier relationship with food and eating. You will be SHOCKED by her recommendations in today's episode-but I encourage you to listen the whole way through! Studies show that allowing your kids UNRESTRICTED access to candy MAY be the healthiest way to help them learn to regulate themselves around sugar and may help them not develop disordered eating behaviors later in life. But how is it his even possible? Today Stefani and I talk about: How do we help our kids have a healthy relationship with candy? (One where they won't binge every time they get some)! How can we help ourselves have a healthy relationship with candy? Is there a trick to not eating ALL the candy? What to do if you and your spouse don't agree on how to handle candy and sweets. How sugar may not be the most dangerous thing for your child's health . . . This is a must listen episode - I hope you'll share with a friend. Connect with Dr. Stefani Reinold on Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/@stefanireinoldmd Connect with Compared to Who?: https://www.comparedtowho.me Loving this show? Leave a review please! Go to https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast for instructions if you aren't sure how! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, October 27, 2021
What if I Really Need or Want to Lose Weight? Feat. Amy Carlson
This engaging and fun interview with Amy Carlson--an RD and Eating Disorder specialist for more than twenty years--will make you smile and encourage your heart. We have a straight talk about what to do if you walk away from the doctor's office (or anywhere) feeling like you have a mandate to lose weight. Plus, Amy answers the question, "What if I really need or want to lose weight? How can I be non-diet or not use diets if I really need to drop some pounds for my health!" We also talk about how to have a "normal" relationship with food. This conversation goes in so many fun places - I had to make it two episodes! Don't miss the second part on Tuesday because it will encourage your heart. Today we talk about: "The Holy Grail of Weight Loss" - How an older, more mature dietician gave Amy this surprising secret! What to do if getting weighed at the doctor is a stressor for you. How to understand where your doctor is coming from if your only mandate is weight loss. How to become an expert on your own body, plus Some of the unfortunate things we've done in the church that put too much emphasis on weight loss . . . Connect with Amy through https://www.hellowpeacewithfood.com or check out the Peace With Food App Connect with Compared to Who?, take the body image quiz, and get on our friends' list here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Start reading Heather's latest book, The Burden of Better by downloading the first two chapters free here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison or at https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 26, 2021
Amy Carlson, RD Shares What to Do if You Need to Lose Weight
This is the second part of a 2 part interview with Amy Carlson, RD -- a practicing dietitian and eating disorder specialist with more than 20 years of work helping those who have an unhealthy relationship with food restore peace with eating! Listen to part one of this interview (Season 5, Episode 39) first!! In today's show we share some FUNNY stories from our own lives and talk about: What happens if you've dieted for your whole life -- is it possible to start eating intuitively? Why weight loss from dieting isn't healthier for your body and may not be helpful in the long run to the disease you are trying to prevent or cure. What it means to "restore" your hunger and how hunger may be what keeps us tethered to our Creator. What does it mean to glorify God with our bodies (that's what a Proverbs 31 woman does, right?) Amy asks the hard question, "Are we envying those who have mastered controlling their hunger?" Heather shares what God showed her about what the future glory of our bodies will really be. You are going to get SO much out of this episode. Leave a review and share it with a friend. Someone you know is struggling with their food and could use this encouragement. Connect with Amy through https://www.hellowpeacewithfood.com or check out the Peace With Food App Connect with Compared to Who?, take the body image quiz, and get on our friends' list here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Start reading Heather's latest book, The Burden of Better by downloading the first two chapters free here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison or at https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 19, 2021
4 Startling Thoughts About Body Image Idolatry
When I recognized that my body image had become my idol--it changed my life. This recognition was really the first step in my journey to freedom. All the dieting, all the over-exercising, all the striving --it all connected to this idol in ways I couldn't see or understand. Of course, once I recognized my body image idol I started to see how there were other idols in my life as well. The good news is--once we see the idols we have a chance at being free from them. Until then, we can wavering between the culture's "I am enough" mantra and our own frustration with not looking how we want to look. Because idols aren't a hot topic everywhere - I thought I'd take a few minutes and look at idolatry in depth. We'll cover what idols are and what the aren't, how the Bible talks about idols, how idols can "run" in families, and what the solution is for an idolatry issue! Learn more about Compared to Who? and sign up for the email list: https://www.comparedtowho.me Consider signing up for coaching: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Or learn more about ReFOCUS 21 - the online body image and food freedom course. Find more here: https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 15, 2021
Body Image, Trauma, & Healing ED: Featuring Dietician Tracy Brown
If you're like me, you may know so much about diets, calories, macros and food that the thought of talking to a dietician seems a little unnecessary. What more could you possibly learn about food and how to eat? But, today I start a month long series talking to a specific group of Christian dietitians who are "non-diet" dietitians. These women are trained and licensed dietitians who have committed their work to helping women break free from issues with food and eating disorders. Today, my guest is Tracy Brown. Her work specializes in helping women who have trauma (known or unknown) and helping them break free from the way it keeps them stuck in eating disorder behaviors. Highlights from today's show include: Tracy talks about how we need to be professors of our own experience with food. Tracy shares how overtime there is a food binge or "grabbiness" there's usually a food deficit somewhere earlier in the day. She talks about how trauma can come from a family's inability to know what to do with emotion--not all traumas are big traumas. Yet, they can still cause us pain. The connection between HSP (highly sensitive people) and eating disorders, body image, and perfectionistic tendencies. Why there's often a set back after six weeks of progress on journeys to food and body image freedom. How promoting self-love is deeply connected to New Age philosophies and teachings that Christians should avoid. Learn more about Tracy: Tracy Brown,RD,LD/N is a trauma informed nutrition therapist/eating disorder dietitian, stress recovery coach and nutrition counseling skills teacher. She walks besides people wanting to heal their relationship with food and weight as well as feel safer and less stressed in their bodies. Her testimony of recovery from eating disorders, trauma and the new age is meant to bring glory to God's mercy and grace. Since 2006, she has guided people one on one and in groups in healing from disordered eating and chronic dieting, many of which also have other stress-related conditions at www.tracybrownrd.com/get-started and https://www.tracybrownrd.com/free-gifts (to stop bashing your body) She provides trauma informed and body image training and supervision to health professionals as well at www.embodieddietitian.com Connect with Compared to Who?: https://www.comparedtowho.me and take the free body image awareness quiz. Did you listen to the 30 Days to Pray for your Body Image Series? Start listening today here: https://comparedtowho.me/category/30-days-to-pray-for-body-image/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire abou
Tue, October 12, 2021
When You Wish Your 'Fearfully & Wonderfully Made' Body Was Better
Do you have Psalm 139:14 memorized yet STILL struggle with your body image? This famous psalm says we are, "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made." But. if you're like me, there are many days when I still don't feel like my body is good enough. Why doesn't the truth that I'm "fearfully and wonderfully made" take away the pain and frustration of wanting to be a different size or have a different shape or look? What do you do when you wish your fearfully and wonderfully body was better? That's what we talk about in today's show. Check out this post on Compared to Who? from several years ago if you want to read more: Fearfully and Wonderfully Discontent? When You Wish God Had Made Your Body a Little More Awesome -- https://comparedtowho.me/fearfully-and-wonderfully-discontent-when-you-wish-god-had-made-your-body-a-little-more-awesome/ Have you read the Burden of Better yet? If not, this is a great season to read it--before holiday busyness and food stress! Learn more or start reading here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison -- https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison Are we email friends yet? With the uncertainty of social media censorship - there's no better way to make sure we stay connected! Sign up at https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, October 08, 2021
What 1500 Calories a Day Does to Your Body and Brain
My friend, Integrative Nutrition Coach, Erin Kerry and I have a candid conversation about what 1500 calories a day really does to your brain and body. Did you know that 1500 calories a day can put your brain and your body into survival mode? The concept of the 1500 (or 1200) calorie a diet has been a popular dieting method for decades--but more and more nutritionists, dietitians, and others are exposing the truth that most of us need more than that for healthy brain function. Not getting enough calories each day can affect your energy levels, your brain function, and other systems of your body (even your reproductive system!). Listen to today's conversation and learn the truth about 1500 calories a day. Connect with Erin Kerry: https://www.sparkingwholeness.com or listen to her podcast: Sparking Wholeness Connect with Compared to Who? and join our friends' list after you take the Body Image Quiz: https://www.comparedtowho.me Need a little extra support? Can't give up dieting or afraid to let go of food rules that rule you? Consider coaching: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, September 30, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 30 - Body Image
Today we wrap up this month long series with a quick prayer over our whole body image. What has God been showing you? Are there areas of your body image or aspects to your body image issues that you hadn't considered? If this series has been a help to you at all -- I'd love to hear about it! Drop me a note at: heather (at) compared to who (dot) me and tell me what God's doing to set you free from body image bondage! Have you read The Burden of Better yet? It may just be the next right step in your journey to freedom from comparison and body image issues. Considering coaching? Learn more at https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching or schedule a free 10 minute consultation. ReFOCUS 21 is a 3 week course to help you break free from body image bondage and food issues -- learn more here.: https://www. comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, September 29, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 29 - Favor
Today we pray for favor -- a concept that is different than seeking the approval of others. Favor is something that God tells us and shows us through scripture that he gives to his people. Favor doesn't come from us projecting a certain image or trying to make other people us. Instead, favor is a supernatural kinship with someone (maybe even someone who normally wouldn't like us!) that is orchestrated by God. Our verse of the day is Psalm 5:12, "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." This is a great one to memorize! Loving the show? Please leave a review!! You can scroll to the bottom of the show page on Apple podcasts or you can go to this page for other places to review: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Have you signed up for ReFOCUS21 - our 21 Day Body Image and Food Freedom Course online -- this is a great way to kickstart your journey to body image and food freedom! Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, September 28, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 28 - Control
For those of us who struggle with body image issues, I've noticed through the years of talking and working with women that control can tend to also be a problem. Are you secretly a control freak?I have been. There are many reasons and ways that control and body image issues connect - so today we're going to talk about those ways and pray for God to set us on the path to freedom from control issues that can keep us stuck too! Our verse of the day is 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for us.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, September 27, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 27 - Love
Today's episode is not about how to grow in love for your body--rather, we're talking about how to love God and others well! Though it may seem like a backwards concept, I promise you that when your focus shifts to loving God and others well, your eyes come off of your thighs and you feel freer in your own skin. How do we love others well? That can be the tricky part -and that's what we'll tackle in today's prayer. Here's our verse of the day: John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this; than to lay down his life for his friends." Episodes on self love mentioned in this episode: What the Bible Really Teaches About Self Love or this one: Podcast: Is Self Love Biblical? Have you signed up for the Compared to Who? email list - join here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you told a friend about this series? It's not to late. Offer to listen through the series again with a friend and help her find some freedom too! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, September 26, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 26 - Friends
Do you have friends? Not the kind of people that always want to diet and do things to look hotter-- but a friend that is safe to talk to about the ways you struggle with body image and comparison and who will lead you back to the truth of the Gospel? This kind of friend is hard to find. Today, we'll pray that God will send you friends that are able and willing to speak His truth to you in love. We'll also pray that he will make us that kind of friend so that we can be an encouragement and edifying to each other. Our verse of the day is Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Are you signed up for ReFOCUS 21 yet? Find out more here: ReFOCUS 21: 21 Day Christian Online Body Image Course Have you left a review or are you interested in learning more about how to support the show? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, September 25, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 25 - Scale and Mirror Release
Are you held captive by the opinion of the scale or the reflection staring back at you from the mirror? Does the wrong number or a new wrinkle ruin your whole day? If you've ever felt enslaved to the opinions of the scale or the mirror -today we're going to pray specifically for freedom in these areas. Are you ready to pray for their hold over you to end? Then listen and share with a friend who needs the same release! Our verse of the day: 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT) You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything." Ready to leave a review? Want to support the show? Visit this page and find out how: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Have you read Burden of Better yet? Today's a great day to start! Check it out here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, September 24, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 24 - Confidence
Confidence! We've been told it comes from having a great body or achievements, or worse -- some say we can have confidence just by having more self love. But is this really what the Bible teaches? I don't think so. I think the kind of confidence we need doesn't come from greater self esteem, but from greater God esteem. We can be most confident when we lay our own accomplishments, achievements, resume, or looks aside and determine to let it be Jesus in us that shines through. This is God confidence. And, guess what friends? Unlike our bodies or our statuses or our achievements--this kind of confidence can never be ripped away or shaken. Our verse of the day is 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Sign up for ReFOCUS 21 or learn more here. ReFOCUS 21: 21 Day Christian Online Body Image Course Read the Burden of Better here. Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison Are you on Heather's email list? Make sure to join it here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, September 23, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 23 - Divine Dietician
Can we trust God as our divine dietician? Today we talk about the truth that God's wisdom is good for ALL areas of our lives and the one who created our bodies probably knows best how we can take care of them. It's a simple truth that most of us who have been caught up in dieting and "body changing" efforts for years may forget. The verse of the day is one that convicts me greatly. It's from Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" How much of my life have I spent worrying about what I would eat or drink or how my clothes would fit? When God tells his people not to worry in the New Testament - these are specific things he mentions. I think of how often I've ignored this command. I've spent days, weeks, decades consumed with planning what I would eat or trying to fit in a smaller clothing size before that big event. But the command is clear -- we're to trust God even in this area of our life. Let's pray together today that we can do this--that we can yield our body, our food, and all other anxieties to him. Interested in a 21 Day course to change the way you view yourself? Check out ReFOCUS 21 -- it's a course about getting spiritually healthy, seeing your body in a new way, and how to integrate physical health into your pursuit of body image freedom. You will get so much out of it. It's self paced but you can interact with other participants and your coaches throughout. Find out more here: https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ Want to leave a review or support the show? Do so here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Listen to my interview with Asheritah Ciuciu where she mentions the concept of God as Divine Dietician here . Have you read Heather's book the Burden of Better yet? Check it out here or download two sample chapters free here! https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, September 22, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 22 - Health
Health: It's good to be healthy. It's good to desire health. It's good to be a responsible steward of your body... But, health can become an idol. For many clients I work with and women I meet, health presents an area of confusion. They have a hard time finding the line between "I need to be healthy" and "I'm pursuing a health idol to serve my body image idol." What's really good for our health? Being spiritually and mentally healthy first. This means that our physical health isn't the top priority above everything. It's interesting - I don't mention it in the show -but the number one contributor to almost all health issues is stress - which can be best fought by being spiritually and mentally healthy. Today's verse of the day talks about how truth and wisdom bring health to the whole body. Read it with me here: Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Also: ReFOCUS 21 is open for enrollment TODAY. To learn more about the course go to https://www.comparedtowho.me or find it here: https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ This is a now a self-paced course but you can interact with your coaches and fellow participants through the comments. Have you left a review of the show yet? Want to support the show? Go to: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast and find out how to support the show or leave a review! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, September 21, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 21 - Purpose
Do you know what gifts God has given you? Do you know how he made you tick, what he wired you for? Finding our "purpose" doesn't have to be some giant, elusive, mission...but taking steps towards doing things that match how God made you WILL help you feel better about your body image. Today we talk all about finding purpose and how that can help heal your body image. Our verse of the day is Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God has made you ON purpose, for a purpose. He loves you. He gave you, physically, everything you need to do what he's made and called you to do. Need help figuring out your purpose? Set up a coaching call with Heather: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Are you on the email list yet? I hope so. Join here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, September 20, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 20 - Freedom
Today we're going to pray that you can feel and embrace the freedom that God intends for you to have with your body, with food, and with exercise. We were not intended to be slaves to any earthly thing--including the scale, the mirror, our own ideals, or size tags. In fact, the Gospel tells us that Jesus died so we could lay down the yoke of slavery and bondage--this covers our body image issues and bondage too, friends. Today's verse is in Galatians 5 :1. It says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Pray along with me today that Jesus would show you what it feels like to walk in freedom in these arenas. Enjoying the show? Leave a review or drop a comment below! Interested in coaching - check out: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Are you on our email list yet? Please sign up at: https://www.comparedtowho.me - You'll get a free walking workout download, you can take the body image quiz, and so much more. It'd be great to connect with you in this way and help you on your journey to body image and comparison freedom. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, September 19, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 19 - Comparison
Today we talk about Comparison -something that, if you've been around this show any amount of time, you'll know is a hot topic! Comparison is no joke, it's bigger than the memes, and it's hurting us more than we know. I talk all about the ways that comparisons affects us and how we can be free from constant comparison in my book, "The Burden of Better: How a Comparison Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest" (You can even download the first chapters for free here if you want to preview it!). Our verse of the day is 1 Corinthians 4:7: 7 "For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" God has a plan for each of our lives, a purpose for each of us, and enough grace for all of us! Can we trust his sovereignty, his plans, and in his wisdom that he knew exactly what he was doing when he created each of us? The only person worthy of our comparison is Jesus-- and praise God there's a remedy for how we will always fall short! (For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.) How's this series going for you? I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, September 18, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 18 - Pride
I'll admit -- I like to be right. I like to have people acknowledge it when I do well. I like to be seen as good, the best, or admirable. And, friends--it's all my pride. Today we talk about how pride impacts our body image struggles, why pride keeps us stuck, and how to walk in humility and how that humble spirit can help us find body image freedom. Our verse of the day is James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up." I also mention Colossians 3:13 and you can listen to the episode I did on this passage here . Would you consider leaving a review of this show - all the places you can leave one are linked here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast Need more support? Feeling confused or stuck in the topics of pride, covetousness, or envy? Consider coaching! Learn more here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, September 17, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 17 - Covetousness
What does it mean to covet? Is coveting actually a problem in our body image struggles? Could our constant coveting be keeping us from body image freedom? Worse yet--what are we really doing when we covet another woman's body "assets"? Today we'll tackle these questions. I hope you'll listen and then leave a review for the show or drop me a note and let me know if this series is blessing you: heather @ Compared to Who (dot) me. Verse of the Day from Exodus 20: 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” Here's a blog post where I share the story: https://comparedtowho.me/three-ways-to-tame-a-covetous-heart-and-envy/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, September 16, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 16 - Envy
Today's topic is a tough one-- envy! Sigh. Could envy be a stronghold in our body image issues? Yes, it can and often is. We get so stuck in envying how she looks or how she lost the weight or how she bounced back after pregnancy or how she got thinner during menopause...that we can't find a place of contentment and peace in our own bodies. Let's pray today that envy will have no place in our lives and that we will be free to find contentment, joy, and peace in the way God has created us. Here's the verse of the day: Proverbs 14:30; "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." Have you left a review yet? Go to: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast and you can scroll to the bottom to see places to leave a review. Or, if you're watching on You Tube- please be sure to like and subscribe! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, September 15, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 15 - Body Image Idol Part 2
Today we talk about body image idolatry one more time - looking at how body image idolatry can impact our daily lives and what it looks like to be lured into serving the body image idol on day to day basis. If you've never noticed or heard about the body image idol - I'd encourage you to check out my book: Compared to Who? which you can learn more about here: Compared to Who Book for Christian Women on Body Image or at this link: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Our verse of the day is from 2 Corinthians 4:7-- But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. How is God working in your life through this series? Drop a comment below or email me at: heather @ compared to who (dot) me - I'd love to hear! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, September 14, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 14 - Body Image Idol
Body image idolatry - What is that? If you're new to this show or my ministry, this episode will tell you about the number one reason why I believe Christian women get stuck in body image issues. It's so easy for us to make an idol out of our ideal bodies. We believe we will be happier, more peaceful, more joyful, or able to rest once we reach that goal weight or size. But, the truth is this type of salvation -- the salvation message that tells us freedom comes from a certain body shape or type--is a false salvation. Today we pray against our tendency to fall for the body image idol and its cunning ways. New International Version Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them." Are we email friends yet? If not, please connect and enjoy the free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" download - sign up here: https:/www.comparedtowho.me Are we Instagram friends? Follow on https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho Enjoying this series? Drop me a note: heather @ compared to who (dot) me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, September 13, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 13 - Idol of Self
What is the idol of self and what does our "ideal body" have to do with it? That's what we'll talk about in today's episode. Plus: We'll pray for the power and strength to release our ideals and to turn away from the idol of self and all that it stands for. Have you read the Burden of Better yet? Here's how to find out more about this amazing book that talks all about the trap of following our ideals: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison or look it up here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/ Here's our verse of the day: 2 Timothy 3:2 English Standard Version For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy . . . Are you on the Compared to Who? friends email list? If not - sign up today: https://www.comparedtowho.me Who needs to know about this show? Forward this email to them and invite them to listen with you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, September 12, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 12 - Others' Opinions
Do other's opinions of your body impact your body image? Of course they do...for most of us at least. So how do we free ourselves from the opinions (and perhaps approval) of other people? How do we keep their body image issues from rubbing off onto us? How do we not fall in the snare of relying on our bodies to keep us in the good graces of other people? That's what we talk about in today's episode and prayer. I hope you'll take a listen! Verse of the day: Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Enjoying this series? Forward to a friend! And, make sure you're following via email at: https://www.comparedtowho.me and on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, September 11, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 11 - Fear
Can you believe that the root of most of our body image issues is fear? That may seem hard to believe. You may believe the root is that your weight is wrong or your body shape is not what you prefer--but under it all is a secret root of fear--fear that connects to approval and control. I hope you'll listen to today's talk on fear and then join me in praying against the fear that keeps us bound in body image shame. It's time to reject fear and step out in new freedom in the arena of your body image. Have you told a friend about this series yet? Verse of the Day: PROVERBS 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Here's that episode I mentioned from season one on fear- You may enjoy it! (Or link to: https://comparedtowho.me/podcast-season-1-ep-5-fear-and-body-image-issues/) Have you left a review for the show yet? I'd really appreciate it! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, September 10, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 10 - Guilt
Today we're talking about guilt and how all of our rules about our bodies, our diets, our exercise can add extra guilt we were never meant to carry. Guilt leads to shame and condemnation (and if you check out our verse of the day-- condemnation is something Jesus died to free us from). So what can you do to get rid of that guilt? That's what we'll pray about today. I hope you'll pray along and grab a friend to join you on this journey! Romans 8:1 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Interested in coaching with Heather? Learn more at: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, September 09, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 9 - Body Shame
Struggling with shame related to your body or body image? Oh friend, we've all been there. That's why today we're going to pray specifically against shame. We'll pray that you'll feel and know what it means to live free from shame because Jesus died to take away all our guilt and shame. There's no condemnation in him--as our verse of the day reminds us. If shame is where you're stuck--let's pray today for God to show us how to release it to him. Romans 8:1 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Is God working in your heart or life through this series? If so - drop me a line heather@ compared to who (dot) me and let me know what He's doing! I can't wait to hear! Have you signed up for the email list yet? I send my email friends exclusive things I don't post anywhere else. I hope we can connect there: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, September 08, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 8 - Feelings
What do you do if you wake up in the morning and don't FEEL like your body is worthy? What if your feelings are bouncing up and down and dictating how you feel about yourself each day? If feelings are where you get stuck--today's prayer will really speak to you. Today we talk about how to get past operating out of our feelings about our bodies so we can live in the truth of our value--no matter how we feel. Today's verse of the day talks about what to do when we feel anxious about our bodies. I think today's prayer will really minister to you! English Standard Version- Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Are you on the Compared to Who? email list yet? Join to get special offers on coaching, courses, and special messages of encouragement from Compared to Who? Join here: https://www.comparedtowho.me and you can take the free body image quiz AND you can get a free walking download to "lose the weight" of comparison! Interested in coaching with Heather? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, September 07, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 7 - Discernment
We all need discernment, don't we? It's hard to know what's real, what's not real... what voices do we listen to, what do we ignore? Today we talk about the gift of discernment as a blessing to your body image battle. If you've never thought about needing discernment before--hopefully today will convince you that this can help your struggle! Here's the verse of the day in 2 translations: Psalm 19:12 New International Version But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. New Living Translation How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. If you've never heard of the difference between condemnation and conviction before - check out this episode! Interested in coaching? Goto: https://www.comparedtowho.me/coaching Let's be Instagram friends: https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho Are you on You Tube? You can listen to this series there too -- just subscribe and press like!! https://www.youtube.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, September 06, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 6 - Thanksgiving
Scripture reminds us to use prayer and petition to calm our anxieties and ask God for what we need. I don't know about you friend - but needing freedom from body hatred, body stress, body image woe--this is a real need that I believe we need to take to God regularly. That's why we're spending the whole month praying about our body image! But, something important jumped out from our scripture verse for the day. It was those words, "with thanksgiving" -- this is how we are to pray! So, today we'll talk about thanksgiving and pray with it as we ask God to do a mighty work in our body image battles! Philippians 4:6 New International Version Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Remember to leave a review of this show on Apple Podcasts or if you're not on an iPhone leave a review on Podchaser here. Social media giants are censoring Christians - make sure we're connected by email so you can find out about series like this and other great things happening from Compared to Who? Sign up here: https://www.comparedtowho.me . Have you considered coaching? Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/coaching/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, September 05, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 5 - Surrender
Surrender seems like a negative word in most contexts -- like giving up ...or admitting defeat. But, when it comes to surrender in the biblical sense -- surrender is freedom! It's the sweet release of all that weighs us down to a God we can trust. Surrendering the things that we stress about the most (like our size or shape) is hard! But, that's why we're praying for God's help. We can't surrender this on our own. It's too fragile, too important, too much. Yet, Jesus asks us to lay our burdens down--and that's what we'll pray for today. I hope you'll pray with me and tell a friend if you're enjoying this series! English Standard Version - Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, September 04, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 4 - Truth
In today's show we pray for God to open our eyes to see the truth beyond the scale and beyond the mirror. We'll pray that God will help us understand that he knit us together in our mother's womb and knew/knows EXACTLY how he made us. That is encouraging news because that means nothing about your body is an accident--even those parts you don't prefer -- he had a purpose for. I hope you'll join me in praying today that God will give you eyes to see yourself the way he sees you. Connect with Compared to Who? and join my BFF's email list here: https://www.comparedtowho.me - You can take the free body image awareness quiz and get a free walk download! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, September 03, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 3- Peace
Today we pray for peace with your body. You've heard of body positivity, body neutrality, and you've probably even experienced body negativity - but what about body peace? What would it be like to look in the mirror or get on the scale and feel nothing but peace about the truth that God made you, God loves you, your body is good (not a project for constant improvement), and that you are accepted just as you are. That's what we pray for today. Have you asked a friend to pray along with you yet? Forward this episode to her today! Verse of the Day English Standard Version -- Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Are you on the Compared to Who? super insider best friends list? Okay, that's not really what it's called but in this era of crazy account closings and such - being email friends is the only way I can be sure we'll stay in touch! Sign up today here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, September 02, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 2- Wisdom
Today we continue praying for our body image by talking about praying and seeking God for wisdom to reveal to you why and where you are stuck in a body image battle. Most of us have searched far and wide for "wisdom" on how to take care of our body. I know I've searched for the best diets, the most effective workouts, the right supplements... But, stopping and asking for God's wisdom as to how to best take care of this body he's made? Hmmm... that's something I haven't done enough. Today we'll pray that God will give us wisdom in all areas concerning our bodies and our body image. Verse of today -- Proverbs 2:6 --For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Have you signed up to be email friends yet? You get a FREE walking download to lose the weight of comparison, encouraging emails from Heather that are exclusive to the email list, special offers, and more. With Christians losing their social media accounts and censorship on the rise - the best way to stay connected is to make sure we're email friends. Sign up: https://www.comparedtowho.me Follow in Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho) or You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/comparedtowho) for previews of each day's show! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, September 01, 2021
30 Days to Pray for Body Image: Day 1 - Faith
Today starts a 30 day series of praying for your body image. Today we talk about having the FAITH that you can actually change the way you feel about your body. Many of us have been let down by faith placed in other things. We had faith the diet would work, we had faith the exercise program would change us into "hot bodies" forever. . . Maybe we had faith the surgery would fix everything. Yet, we still struggle. If this sounds like you, don't despair. There is one place we can put our faith that will never disappoint. I hope you'll invite a friend to pray with you for the faith to see yourself the way Jesus sees you over the course of these next 30 days. Have you left a review of the show yet? Please consider doing this to help others find it!! Go to the show page, scroll to the bottom, and then click "write a review." Thanks so much! Are we email friends yet? We need to be! Sign up and get a free download of a fun walking workout to lose the weight of comparison. It's easy to join, unsubscribe at anytime: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 27, 2021
Control, Thyroid, Image, Introversion, & the Middle: 5 Lessons
Today I'll share 5 lessons I learned this summer about a wide range of topics from swimming with sharks to introversion...how everything is hardest when you're in the middle to what happened to my Thyroid and Hashimoto's disease. I hope this episode will encourage you with truth you need if you're wrestling control, battling thyroid issues, in the middle of something that feels REALLY hard, or just feeling overwhelmed by the need to manage your image. Check it out and let me know what you think. Are we email friends? Sign up for the Compared to Who? list here -- I send email friends exclusive messages I don't send anyone else!! https://www.comparedtowho.me Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comparedtowho Plus: Don't forget to tell a friend about the 30 Days to Pray for Your Body Image series that starts Wednesday, September 1! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 20, 2021
How to Stop Treating Your Body (and Life) as a Project
This episode was originally called "How to Stop Troubleshooting Your Life" but it seems not many of you listened to it...so I've included it in the Summer RePlay series so you can catch it now if you missed it back in Season 2! In this episode we talk about all the different ways we see our body and our lives as projects that require constant improvement. If you're like me, you may have spent your fair share of time on the self-improvement treadmill--always analyzing the ways that you could improve yourself of anything within your sphere of control. But when we live with this "troubleshooting" mentality, it really prevents us from ever being able to rest in God's grace. In other words - when we are in constant "improvement project" mode, we can never just "be." I hope today's episode will encourage you! Not on my BFF's email list? I hope you'll join. Take the free body image quiz AND get a free walking download at: www.comparedtowho.me Are we social media friends? I hope you'll follow me on Instagram or Pinterest ! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 13, 2021
50 Ways to Beat Comparison Part 2
Today we continue with the last part of the rapid fire list of 50 ways YOU can beat comparison. We'll talk about proactive strategies to stop you from looking to comparison to figure out if you're doing okay and we'll talk about ways to dig into your past and break free from things that have been done to you or said about you so that you can find healing and relief from comparison. "A starving soul will look for nourishment from comparison, so feed our soul!" Connect with Compared to Who? www.comparedtowho.me Sign up for coaching with Heather: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Resources from this episode Download: 50 Ways to Beat Comparison PDF Forgiveness Protocol: Make a list of all of the offenses that regularly come to mind. These may be related to your body image or other aspects of life. Write each one and who hurt you. Practice daily reading through the list and praying for God to help you forgive them. It's not necessary to tell the other person you've forgiven them. And, recognize that the person who hurt you may never ask for your forgiveness. Yet, it's still necessary for your freedom and healing that you can forgive them. Forgiveness is often not a "one and done" prayer. It may take weeks or month or longer praying to release these offenses until you can truly be free from them causing you pain. Fear Inventory. This looked comprehensive. It was developed by someone else: https://emotionalsobrietyandfood.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/the-fear-inventory-is-done-in-columns-like-resentments.pdf Do you have CDD - Chronic Disappointment Episode: Podcast: What to do if you have CDD: Chronic Disappointment Disorder Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, August 06, 2021
50 Ways to Beat Comparison Part 1
Why do we stay stuck in comparison, what can we do to break out, in what ways is comparison ACTUALLY hurting us? This episode is a rapid fire list of ways that you can recognize and beat comparison in your life. Many of these ideas are found in my new book, The Burden of Better, so if you like this list -- check out the book! Make sure to listen next Friday for the second part of the list... and you can download the entire 50 ways list next week too! Connect with Compared to Who?: www.comparedtowho.me Get your FREE walk to lose the weight of comparison download: www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, July 30, 2021
Podcast: Heather's Appearance on The Intertwined Life
Don't be confused by the music, friends! Today I'm sharing my interview on Jenny Zentz's podcast called "The Intertwined Life." You get to hear me asking the questions each week-but on this episode - you'll hear me share my heart about why comparison and chasing a better body can be so stressful and how Jesus offers a better way to live. Take a listen! What topics would YOU like to see covered on this show? Send your suggestions to: heather@compared to who (dot) me (take those spaces out first, of course!) Connect with Jenny Zentz: http://jennyzentz.com/podcast/ Listen to Jenny on the Compared to Who? show: I'm No Longer a Slave to Food Connect with Compared to Who: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 23, 2021
Podcast: Watching the Olympics, Body Image, & True Beauty
Watching or planning to watch the Olympics this summer? Ever notice that the bodies of the elite athletes may not look like the bodies on the magazine covers? What does watching the Olympics teach us about our body image struggles? We say we desire health...but these women are some of the healthiest in the world--and yet not all of their bodies are "enviable" according to magazine model standards. Whether or not you are a sports fan, this episode can encourage your heart as we talk about the real struggle behind our body image issues and how to defeat the body image idol. Read the Olympics post referenced in this episode here: https://comparedtowho.me/olympics-help-struggle-with-body-image/ Connect with Compared to Who? and take the Body Image Awareness Quiz here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 16, 2021
Summer Replay: Dana White on Clutter and Body Image
Last year I did an awesome show with Dana White from "A Slob Comes Clean" about the similarities between body image and house clutter! The show has been a huge hit on You Tube where it's had thousands of views and hundreds of comments... but the audio version didn't get as many listens. So, I thought I'd edit it a little more and give you a second chance, this summer, to check out this amazing interview. Dana and I talk about why it's so hard to clean out our closets, why simple habits make the biggest difference (in body image and home decluttering) and how we're always looking for the magic fix... but doing the work, step by step, is what really works. I hope you enjoy this great insightful and informative discussion! Subscribe to Compared to Who? on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y79zLlWF8Hw&t=313s Get your FREE Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison Walking Workout: https://www.comparedtowho.me --OR-- Take the Body Image Quiz! Learn more about Dana here: Podcast: Body Image, Comparison and Clutter at Home? An Interview with Organizer Dana White, A Slob Comes Clean Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 09, 2021
Podcast: The All or Nothing Mentality featuring Shawna Scafe
Do you have an "all or nothing" mentality? Today's guest, Shawna Scafe and I will talk about this common struggle to think about life and all the things in a black and white or give 100% or 0% type of way! We talk about this mentality as it relates to habits like exercise and reading the Bible and as it relates to food. We also talk about how small habits change lives, where this kind of thinking comes from, and why our brains fall into these patterns of thinking and can't break out! If your inner critic is loud and you feel like you have to perform for value--this episode is for you too. You're going to love this conversation. Connect with Shawna: https://simpleonpurpose.ca Connect with Compared to Who? and take the free body image quiz: https://www.comparedtowho.me Other episodes mentioned during this show: Hush the Hustle Or watch on You Tube here: https://youtu.be/43TjtlR_fdA Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, July 09, 2021
Podcast: Body Image--Separating Facts from Fiction of Culture
Do you battle body image? In today's show I talk about my own journey to figure out what the heart--the root of the problem was--behind my body image struggles. I share about the gas powered curling iron I used to carry with me everywhere (true story). Today I share with you THREE truths of body image issues that may not match the fiction we're told by culture about how and what causes body image issues. The first big lie: Freedom doesn't come when we get the body we've always dreamt of. The secret to freedom from your body image issues start with understanding that body image issues don't have anything to do with our physical bodies. We'll explore other facts and fiction like this, so tune in and make sure you know the truth about body image issues! Connect with Compared to Who? https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sat, June 26, 2021
Podcast: What Does Modesty Really Mean?
What if modesty isn't about the length of our shorts or the amount of exposed skin? Could modesty be more than that? Could it be about something going on in our hearts? Even the most popular scripture passage used to encourage us to dress modestly is likely more about wearing name brands and flaunting wealth than wearing tight clothes. In today's episode, I tackle the tricky issue of modesty. I'll use lots of scripture and examples--whether you grew up measuring your skirt length or have never thought about the concept of modesty in your life--there's something in this episode for you! We'll talk about humility, honoring God, and honoring others. I'll tell my biggest mistakes in the arena of modesty and what I've learned about how to trust the Holy Spirit in this arena. Some of the scripture referenced today: Psalm 18:27, 1 Peter 3: 3&4, 1 Timothy 2: 9-10, Romans 12:26, Philippians 2:3-4, Romans 12:10, Titus 3:2, Galatians 5:13. If anything in this podcast blessed you, would you consider leaving a review? Thanks for your consideration! Connect with Compared to Who? take the Body Image Quiz and get your FREE walking download to lose the weight of comparison: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sun, June 20, 2021
Body Image Wisdom for Christian Men
Men struggle with body image too. And, if you're a woman battling body image who lives with a man battling body image--finding your freedom can be even more challenging. Today I talk to author Sean Coons about how to best help the men in your life (and boys too) who may be struggling with how their bodies look. But, don't think there's nothing valuable for you women in this one... We can learn a lot from each other on these issues! Plus: Today we launch brand new section of the Compared to Who? website designed ESPECIALLY for men! Do you have a question you'd like to see Sean tackle on the new section of the blog for the man (or boy) in your life? Send it here. About Sean: Sean Coons is an author, screenwriter, musician, and educator living with his wife and son in Redondo Beach, California. Sean is the author of Body: or, How Hope Confronts Her Shadow and Calls the Flutter Girl to Flight , a Christian fiction comedy exploring body image and intuitive eating. Sean’s second novel, Firefly: Let There Be Light , is a middle-grade epic slated for publication by Black Rose Writing on October 21, 2021. Connect with Sean: www.SeanCoons.com Facebook: @SeanCoonsWriter Twitter: @SeanCoons Instagram: @SeanMCoons Connect with Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sat, June 19, 2021
Condemnation Vs. Conviction: Win the Mental Body Image Battle
If you're battling body image, chances are there are a lot of voices in your head telling you what you should do, making you feel bad for what you did or didn't do, and saying mean things about your body or your behaviors. Today, I dig into the truth that we don't have to believe everything we think. Not all of our thoughts are healthy! Beyond that there are two specific and different thoughts that we need to be able to discern. The first is the Holy Spirit's conviction- this is how the Holy Spirit helps us live a life of freedom in Christ. The Holy Spirit gently convicts us of sin and helps us in many ways. But, the other thoughts that plague us--more of the time--are condemning thoughts. These are not from God and we don't have to listen to them--even if they contain a grain of truth! Learn how to tell the difference between condemnation and conviction in today's episode so that you can win the mental part of your body image battle. Body image issues start in the heart...but we fight them through recognizing that our mind is the battlefield! Listen and learn today! Connect with Compared to Who: https://www.comparedtowho.me Take your FREE body image awareness quiz: https://www.comparedtowho.me AND get your free 30 minute walking working/prayer walk DOWNLOAD to find freedom from comparison! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 08, 2021
Ginny Owens, Blindness, Body Image, and Singing in the Dark
Ginny Owens is an internationally recognized Christian recording artist whose been blind since she was a little girl. Today I talk to Ginny about how body image and comparison issues present when you're blind (and can't look around and compare yourself to others). We also talk about chasing idols, trying to "live the dream" and feeling restless and exhausted and we have a great discussion about what true rest looks like. "Rest is a time to marvel at God's creation, to sit back and reflect on it..." Ginny shares. We also confess our struggle to engage in community when we're tired and the temptation to come up with excuses to skip out on group activities! Plus Ginny tells me about her brand new book, "Singing in the Dark"--a book of songs and laments--and what Ginny has learned through walking through her own times of darkness. "Lament is sorrow with hope at the center because we do not go alone," Ginny shares. You'll love the encouragement she offers for times of struggle in this interview. Connect with Ginny here: https://www.ginnyowens.com Check out Ginny's new book here: https://amzn.to/3v5nGFL (Amazon affiliate link) Connect with Compared to Who? here: https://www.comparedtowho.me About Ginny Owens Ginny Owens has had an award-winning career that encompasses two decades as a singer/songwriter, recording artist, author and speaker. During that time, Owens has released 10 albums, five EPs and two Christmas projects garnering critical success, chart-topping radio singles, and numerous film and television placements. She continues to inspire others with the truth of the gospel through personal stories, songs and Bible teaching. In 2014, Ginny released her first book, Transcending Mysteries: Who is God And What Does He Want From Us, co-authored with Andrew Greer and published by Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins . Her most recent set of EP’s, entitled Expressions I and Ii (November, 2020; February, 2021) have amassed millions of streams across multiple platforms. Watch our interview on You Tube here: https://youtu.be/kXWr6xu6zm0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, June 04, 2021
I'm No Longer a Slave to Food: Featuring Jenny Zentz
Anxiety, depression, weight issues . . . eating cheeseburgers in bed at midnight . . .sneaking food and overeating to numb physical and emotional pain . . .Today's guest has experienced it all but has found freedom from food addiction and bondage. Jenny Zentz , host of the Intertwined Life, podcast shares her story. "Food was controlling me"! She shares. We also have a candid conversation about food guilt and shame (like the time I ate all the Oreos and had to go buy a new package so my husband wouldn't know) and the truth about where true satisfaction is found. We talk about Alexandra MacKillop's book, Fulfilled. Connect with Jenny on her website: www.Jennyzentz.com, on Facebook or Instagram or You Tube. Listen to The Intertwined Life show Connect with Compared to Who? and get your free walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison: https://www.comparedtowho.me Watch this interview on You Tube Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, June 01, 2021
Podcast: Do You Deserve to Wear Shorts?
Inspired by Mindy Pickens' brilliant post from a few years ago, "Do You Deserve to Wear Shorts?" , today I talk through this hot summer topic. We talk about what makes one "worthy" to wear shorts and why we get stuck believing that we're not! If you've ever worn pants to the beach or pool ... or if you've ever declined an invitation to an event because shorts would be expected-- this show's for you! Here are some things to check out if you like what you hear. Take 30 seconds and vote for Compared to Who? Best Female Podcast host in the Spark Media awards here (until June 7). Nick Vujicic ministries Staff Sergeant. Johnny Joey Jones leg's meme. Connect with Compared to Who? here! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 25, 2021
You Tube Star Cambria Joy: The Difference Between Hot and Healthy
My guest today is a superstar on You Tube. She's a sweet, smart, and funny young woman who is poised to help a generation of women rise up and find freedom from body image issues. Her name is Cambria Joy and joy is exactly what she exudes! Cambria and I have a casual and animated conversation about body image issues. She shares her story, when she came to her breaking point with her body image and eating disorder struggles, and what she does now to help women. I also ask Cambria the question I've been dying to discuss on this show: What's the difference between wanting to be hot and healthy? I hear the words "I just want to be healthy" a lot, but sometimes this is code speak for wanting a hot body in order to satisfy body image issues. Friend - no matter what your age, you'll get something out of this episode. But, this one may especially resonate with the under 30 crowd! Here's more about Cambria: Popular YouTube personality Cambria Joy has a passion for helping others get fit from the inside out. Combining her love of faith and fitness, Cambria helps more than 600,000 YouTube followers lead healthy, God-centered lives. Her debut book is Growing Strong: Workouts, Devotions, and Recipes to Become Healthy from the Inside Out . Cambria lives on the beautiful golden coast of California with her husband, Bo. Visit CambriaJoy.com . Visit Compared to Who's brand new section for teen girls and younger women here. Take Compared to Who's Body Image Quiz and find out if Body Image is your battle here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon (we can't do it without you!) Watch this video on You Tube. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 25, 2021
Why Weren't We All Created Equally Beautiful? Listener Question
Today I'm tackling a listener question: "Heather, if we're all the Imago Dei, then why aren't we all, equally beautiful?" I loved this question and I hope you'll take a listen to the answer. She's right, we're all made in the Image of God (Imago Dei) - so how can there be so much variety in the way we look and how does that result in some people being considered more "beautiful" than others. We'll explore the layers of this question in depth in this episode. Connect with Compared to Who?: https://www.comparedtowho.me Send your listener question to: heather@comparedtowho.me Get your FREE Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison workout here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 18, 2021
Body Image Issues from the Perspective of a Christian College Student
I'm so excited to share with you a conversation with my intern-- Amber--who bravely shares her story of struggling with disordered eating and body image issues in high school. Amber's graduating this month from college and has learned a lot about her struggle and the way her peers in their teens and twenties are wrestling body image, comparison, and insecurity in the age of non-stop selfies and perfect social media pictures! If you ARE a teen or twenty something or have a daughter, niece, or granddaughter in this age range-- this episode is one you'll want to listen to and share! Visit improvebodyimage.com If you're loving what you hear on this podcast - would you be so kind as to leave a review? Thanks for considering! (Scroll to the bottom of the show's page (the one that lists all the episodes) and you'll find a place to review and rate there! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 14, 2021
What the Bible Teaches on Self Esteem, Self Love, and Body Image
Everywhere you look you can find a #selflove or #loveyourself mantra to "encourage" you and help you "improve" your body image. But is self love really the way? Is self love even biblical? What about self-esteem? Is that something we need more of if we struggle with body image? Today, Heather explores the truth of how self esteem has impacted us and why self love may not be the biblical answer you've been told it is. Here are some verses to check out as you listen: Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus says the law hinges on these two commandments. (Love God and love your neighbor. If self love is a hidden commandment in there, then Jesus' math is wrong.) Ephesians 5:25-30. Paul tells husbands to love their wives as they love themselves. Doubtful he is giving them an excuse to hate their wives if they "hate" themselves. 2 Timothy 3:2. In the last days men will be "lovers of self." If you read the passage you'll see, this wasn't a compliment or a command. This was something to be avoided! Take the FREE body image awareness quiz and learn more about Compared to Who? at www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, May 11, 2021
Podcast: Life Through a Different Lens with Shawna Sullivan
My guest today is my friend Shawna Sullivan. We have a wildly fun conversation about how to start seeing your life differently--through, what Shawna calls, the lens of investment. Now, before you think this is about money or finance--let me encourage you. Today's show is all about how you live in light of the Gospel. Shawna lived in Manhattan for more than a decade and learned some invaluable lessons about what it means to follow Jesus and make decisions with the ultimate end in mind. We talk about topics such as: 1) How to assess what's most important in life, in terms of what we do with our time and energy. 2) How to see your life, your activities, and your choices through the lens of God's kingdom. 3) Why taking care of your temple doesn't mean you have to be "hot" for Jesus. 4) What it means to be a disciple maker and how simple but impactful that can be! 5) How to find the true makeover story in our own stories. Grab Shawna's Free Download: A Practical Guide for a Purposeful Life here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6026e9e099bcbde3ca17c2f0 SHAWNA SULLIVAN BIO Shawna is a mother, home educator, andchauffeurto four children. She and her husband love encouraging others to live intentionally, embrace adventure, and find joy in a life surrendered to the mission of Christ. When she is not writing or teaching her own children, she teaches a class of 8th graders and loves to play tennis. Now back in Texas after 13 years in New York, she will never take a backyard, time with family, air conditioning, or her own laundry room for granted. Shawna writes regularly on her website, sharing truth-filled encouragement and practical ways to find a fulfilling life by investing in that which is truly valuable. She sends out a newsletter, entitled First Things First , and you can find her published article in a recent issue of The Joyful Life Magazine . Connect with Shawna: www.shawnasullivan.com Instagram Pinterest Watch our interview on You Tube. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, May 07, 2021
Body Image Coaching Changed Our Lives: With Clients Angela & Kim
Today's show is a must listen. It features a conversation with two of my coaching clients--Angela and Kim. You're going to be blessed by their stories! They're real women who had real body image struggles and are now walking in new freedom! Angela is a married, working mom in her late 30s who has struggled with dieting, compulsion to follow all the food "rules," and other food, body, and exercise related strongholds. Kim is a happily married and retired woman in her early 60s who has tried all the diets, all the plans, and has battled body and food-related struggles including Binge Eating Disorder for decades. Both women started working with Heather at the end of 2020 and both are experiencing new freedom with food and with their bodies--freedom they never even realized was possible. Angela and Kim were part of the ReFOCUS program (which starts May 17) and then went on to do group coaching with Heather. Their stories will encourage and inspire you that real freedom is possible. And, don't miss the last 5 minutes!!! In this interview we: *Talk about how Angela and Kim were stuck and what led them to finally realize they may need some help in this area. *How ReFOCUS21 began the shift of changing the way they thought about their body and food issues. *What really happened in coaching with Heather *And, how they are different after a few months of "heart work" on these issues. Sign up for ReFOCUS21: https://comparedtowho.me/refocus-christian-body-image-course-online/ Find out more about group coaching or snag a 15 minute "Would this help me?" call with Heather: Send an email to heather@comparedtowho.me Plus: Burden of Better e-book is available for just .99 on Kindle! Grab a copy today. Ends soon! (Amazon affiliate link means a tiny portion or your .99 will support this ministry.) Learn more at: www.comparedtowho.me Support this show on Patreon or with your 5 star review! Review on iTunes by scrolling to the bottom of the show page (through every episode) and looking for the unlit stars. Or review on Podchaser here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, May 06, 2021
Spring Break Free Finale Day 25: 3 Lessons To Carry With You
Well, you did it! You completed all 25 days of the Spring Break Free: Body Image Freedom Course! (I hope, if you cheated and watched this one first, I still love you. Just go back and catch up on what you missed when you have some time.) Today I really hope you'll catch the truth of what FREEDOM truly looks like. Catch up on any episodes or questions you missed here: https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ Find out my tips for trying on a swimsuit here: Here are some questions to consider as we close this month together. What tools can you use to answer back those voices of negative body image? If you need more resources or help, consider personal training where we work on this specifically in one of the units. Freedom means knowing how to fight and win, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll never be tempted to feel bad again. How can you practice kindness with your body? How have you been cruel to your body in the past? What would it look like to have a healthy relationship with your body and the way God made you? (Again, if you need more help here or feel stuck, consider personal training.) Where is your focus? If you find yourself slipping into a spiral of negative body image again - stop and ask yourself what you're focusing on Need more help? Here are some resources. First: Read Compared to Who? and the Burden of Better . If you haven't done this yet, I can think of no better or easier place to start. There's a lot in the book that's not in the Spring Break Free Series. Second: Consider Signing Up for ReFOCUS21 . Next session starts May 17. Third: Consider Coaching . You can find out more about that here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, May 05, 2021
Ways to Prepare for Swimsuit Season (Day 24 Spring Break Free)
Only 1 day left in the Spring Break Free Series. Today, we're going to talk about some practical ways you can prepare your heart for swimsuit season. Everywhere you look you'll find tips this month on how to get your BODY ready for summer. But, how do you prepare your heart for swimsuit season? If you are a woman who struggles with her body image and has a hard time not comparing herself with all the other ladies sitting around the swimming pool, then how do you prepare yourself to engage in the battle? Go here for your discussion questions and to catch up on what you missed: https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ Questions for reflection: What do you think of Heather's suggestions? Could you ever break up with your scale? ( Here's what happened with Compared to Who contributor did it and another contributor tried it for Lent!) What about spending less time with the mirror? Do you think you spend too much time analyzing your appearance in the mirror? Here's the link to read more on the merit of "Mirror Tilting." Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, May 04, 2021
Why You Need Community (Spring Break Free Day 23)
Community. What is that anyway? It's a bit of a modern Christian "buzz word" but what does it really mean? Let me break it down for you. Community requires you to be a part of a group of people who know your name. People who care about you. People who know you and about your stuff (even the stuff you aren't proud of.). It requires you having friends and being a friend. Community is hard. It can be uncomfortable. Especially at first. I mean, what if you get rejected? What if you share something and people laugh . . .or worse . . .people start to avoid you? Yikes. That's scary. I get it. I'm a pastor's wife but I still TOTALLY understand the struggle to be in community. Here's my take on why community is SO vitally important though! (Especially if you hope to be truly free from body image and comparison issues!) Watch and let me know what you think: Questions for reflection: Do you have community? Do you go to a church where people know you and you know them? Do you have Christian accountability? Do you serve in your local church body so you can use your gifts within the context of community? What other communities have you been a part of? Do you find it easier to be a part of a community at work or in a gym type setting then at church? Why do you think this is? Miss some of the Spring Break Free series? Catch up here . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, May 03, 2021
Stop the Comparison Habit (Day 22 Spring Break Free)
Are you guilty of comparison? Don't feel bad. Most of us are. It's hard, in our culture, not to compare ourselves to others. I mean, gracious, we see their lives in front of us all day long. It used to be you could only compare yourself to those folks you ran into during the week. Now, we can see all of our friends' lives, around the world, all.day.long. What makes matters worse is that most of us are guilty of projecting our best self. I mean, who puts selfies online that look bad? You take the 35th shot (the only one that makes your chin look less than double) and that's the one you post. Not the 34 where you look a little fuller in the face. Come on. We all do it. Don't we? We project a certain image online. If comparison is where you struggle - check out my brand new book, The Burden of Better and start reading here. Listen to today's episode and then check out the questions for reflection on Day 22 of the Spring Break Free. Or, catch up on all the episodes at: https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ Here's more on the topic of comparison in today's video: Questions for reflection: Do you tend to compare your rough days to other people's best days? Do you tend to believe the "storyline" that women share online, social media, etc . . .or do you look deeper? Have you ever thought about the concept of objectification? Do you feel that you sometimes objectify other women (looking only at one aspect of them and comparing yourself to them in only one way?) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, May 02, 2021
How to Break Food Addiction (Day 21 of the Spring Break Free)
Food. I'd rather not talk about food. Okay, I guess that's not true. I talk about everything--maybe a little too honestly. But, I just wrote this post confessing my affection for Bark Thins and how quickly they seem to disappear in my house (although I won't let anyone else touch the bag!). In that post I also shared with you some information on the book I mention in today's video. It's called "Full: For, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction." (Buy it on Amazon here .) Need Eating Disorder Help? I recommend you start by checking out: Rock Recovery or visit the site for more resources. Questions for reflection: In what ways has your struggle with body image connected with your struggle with food? Have you ever used food to try to control your body image? Have food issues/eating disorders been a byproduct of your body image struggles? What do you think about Heather's point that she needed to solve her body image issues before she could work on her food issues? Why not join us for the rest of the Spring Break free? Or, start over if you missed some by clicking here! **This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase recommended books through these links it benefits the ministry of Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, May 01, 2021
Quitting this "Healthy" Habit (Day 20 Spring Break Free)
I taught fitness classes for over a decade and I saw it every week. One night though, it really scared me. That was the night when we got off the spin bikes to stretch and she fell over. She got off the bike and next thing I knew, she was on the ground. She had a friend with her. For this I was glad, because the friend was the only one able to give me any information. "Are you okay? What happened? Can you breathe?" I'd been trained in CPR and First Aid but never had to use it. My brain raced. Should I be telling someone to call 911? Start the Heimlich maneuver. Wait. She wasn't choking . . . The friend filled in the gaps. "She's been working in the yard all day and she did another class this morning." "Did you eat before you came tonight?" I asked the woman on the floor. Feebly, she shook her head no. "When's the last time you ate?" I continued. "This morning." She mumbled. I looked for her water bottle. It was empty. Likely, she wasn't dehydrated, but under-fueled. Rushing to my gym bag I pulled out a packet of kid's gummy snacks. I asked the lady to start eating them. Her blood sugar was likely low, thus causing her to almost pass out. *** Exercise is healthy. It's good for us. But, even "good" things must also be done in moderation. I know this won't apply to everyone watching. Some of you are thinking, "I wish I could get up the energy to go for a ten minute! Over-exercising is hardly an issue for me." If that's you, then skip this one. I get it. But, others of you may make too much of exercise in your life. Over-training is a real "thing" and is not healthy for your body or your soul. If over-exercising is a way you've tried to control or "fix" your body image, then I hope you'll watch today's video: Questions for reflection: Have you ever over-exercised? In what ways do you think you may have looked to exercise as a "cure" for your body image issues or sought out exercise as a potential savior? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, April 30, 2021
Do Clothes Help Your Body Image Struggles? Day 19
Ahh . . . clothes. I love clothes. Well, sometimes I love them. Other days, I hate them. I look at my closet and search through my drawers and physically feel like there's no possible way anything will fit. Clothes have this funky connection to my body image. Sometimes they help me feel "better" (or so I think . . .) other days, they "make me" feel worse (or so I blame. . .). I spent decades shopping for the perfect clothes to help assuage my issues with my body. The challenge is, I never found them. Or, at least I never found any that could help me in a permanent sort of way. That new dress would help me feel good for a few days, and then. Boom! Right back to needing something else, new, for the next special occasion. Listen to or watch today's video for a little more about my struggle with clothing. Maybe you can relate? Questions for reflection: Have you used clothing to try to help your body image? Are you a compulsive shopper or are you constantly looking for the next "perfect outfit" to try to fix the way you feel about your body? In what way's do you think this practice is healthy or unhealthy? Can I encourage you to prayerfully consider the ways clothes have played into your body image struggle today? ( Do you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Read this for encouragement! ) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, April 29, 2021
Sex & Body Image Connection
In today's episode of the Spring Break Free - we talk about sex and body image. If you've ever thought someone wanting you, physically, would solve your body image issues--this episode is a much watch or listen. Is there a connection between sex and body image? Whether you are single or married, you may be surprised to learn how intertwined they can be in the lives of some women. Listen or visit the site to grab the discussion questions and watch the video. https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ Watch today's video to find out more about their connection: Questions for reflection: Spend time praying and thoughtfully answering these questions privately. In what ways have you tried to use sex to help assuage or "fix" your body image? In what ways has sex helped or hurt your body image in the past? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, April 28, 2021
One Habit That Will Destroy Your Body Image: Your Media (Day 17)
Is there one habit that's potentially worse than all others for your body image? I think so . This habit will destroy your body image. Even if you make progress . . .if you slip back into doing this, you'll likely find yourself right back in the pit of despair over your looks and size. What am I talking about? Catch up on what you missed or get your daily discussion questions here: https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ You'll just have to listen or watch this video to find out more: [wpdevart_youtube]UgI8ZQbGDiU[/wpdevart_youtube] Questions for reflection: What do you think of today's video? Do you think that Heather's points are right or do you think it's okay to keep these habits? Write your response below (in the comments section) if you are comfortable, and let's start a conversation about this important topic! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, April 27, 2021
One Habit That Will Change Your Body Image for Good (Day 16)
There's one habit that you need to do, every day, if you really want to experience lasting freedom and change in the arena of your body image. Want to stop comparing yourself to others? Want to feel truly free to love and be loved? Want to get out of the pit of despairing of your size, shape, cellulite or other body woes? Then you need to do this one thing. I'm serious. It works. Most women (even Christian women) have yet to try it . . . Question for reflection: How do you think prioritizing this ONE habit could change your perspective on your body? **God and I had a little chat after I recorded this video. Here are a few more thoughts on this topic. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, April 26, 2021
Why You Should Try a New Way (Spring Break Free Day 15)
We've all heard the over-used definition of insanity. "Trying the same thing, over and again, and expecting different results." No one really knows who said it, but we all know it's true. If you're like me, you've tried all the diets, the fitness gimmicks and maybe even the weight loss pills. You've tried convincing yourself that your true value is found on the inside and that you are more than your pants size. You know all the lingo. And, yet . . .you're still struggling. Relax. You're normal. But, today, we can turn a corner. Now that you've identified the root of body image idolatry, perhaps you are feeling more hopeful. You know that things can be different now. For the rest of the Spring Break Free series, we'll be talking about the habits in your life that will need to change as you attempt to find, and keep, your freedom. Watch today's video to find out more: Questions for reflection What conventional methods of fixing your body image have you tried over and again with limited success? Diets? Exercise programs? Positive Pep Talks? Self-Esteem "Boosters?"? Do you believe there's wisdom in trying something new? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, April 25, 2021
2 Questions to Ask About Idolatry & Body Image (Spring Break Free Day 14)
It's Spring Break Free Day 14! Today we'll wrap up our talk about idolatry with a discussion about what questions you need to ask to see that those idols are ousted from your life. Listen above or watch Heather talk about body image idolatry in today's video: Question for reflection: Use the two questions in the video as your questions for today. They are: What does beauty mean to me? (What would it mean if I did get the body I wanted? How would that affect my life? Are these benefits lasting and meaningful or fleeting (James 5:1-6). What do I treasure? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, April 24, 2021
Getting Rid of Idols of the Heart Part Two (Spring Break Free Day 13)
Once you've identified that your heart tends to make and worship idols, what do you do? How do you get rid of the idols of the heart? Should it be encouraging or discouraging to find and uproot these idols? Listen above or watch today's video from 2017 to learn more: Questions for reflection: Do I believe that salvation comes from Christ alone or do I believe that "things" or "people" or "happiness" can save me? Take some time today to pray and ask God to continue to reveal to you the idols of your heart. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, April 23, 2021
How to Recognize an Idol (Day 12 Spring Break Free!)
God surprised me a few years ago with a concept I never learned about in church. Okay, that's not entirely true. Of course I had heard about idolatry in church. But, I knew I didn't have to worry about breaking that commandment. We didn't have a single statue in our home! When I learned what modern day idolatry actually looked like . . .Boy! Was I surprised. Here's how to recognize an idol in today's video: Questions for reflection How familiar are you with this definition of idolatry? Do you struggle with the pursuit of things that don't have eternal value? Do you think body image or beauty idolatry could be a struggle for you? Why or why not? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, April 22, 2021
What is it We're ALL Searching For? Spring Break Free Day 11
In today's video I tell you about a girl from Orange County, California who went to a Tony Robbins' event. She tells Tony that she's unable to control her eating habits and she wants to do better. That's why she's at his meeting. (For context, let me assure you that a size four dress would have hung loosely on her petite figure.) In today's video I talk about what it is we all long for. Why beauty and a "better" body are so tempting to chase . . .it's something we all have in common. Watch more here: Questions for reflection What were your initial thoughts when you watched today's video? Can you relate to the desire to have a makeover, weight loss, or other kind of physical transformation to change your life and give you what it is you're really looking for? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, April 21, 2021
Buying the Biggest Loser Definition of Salvation: Day 10
Have you watched the Biggest Loser ? If not, it's still likely you know the premise. Contestants participate in a weight loss competition. The "weigh ins" combined with team voting determine who stays with the program and who gets the boot. I was a success story JUNKIE. I loved before and after photos and journaled accounts of how women changed their bodies. Did they cut down on carbs or add more workouts? What kind of new habits did they start to inspire that weight loss? What secrets did they discover that no one else knows. This is what I wanted to know when I read these success stories. I craved the information because I wanted what they had . . . a new look. Or, more honestly, maybe I wanted something more than that. Something deeper. Here's more in today's video: Here are a few other posts I've written on this topic for additional reading. Questions for reflection Joy, peace, love, hope . . .did you ever (secretly) believe that any of these things could come from having a new (better, thinner, taller, shorter, smaller, whatever . . .) body? Did you ever believe the lie that more beauty or a better body is where salvation comes from? Spend some time today thinking about the ways that you may have bought the lie of "temporary" salvation that comes from body change . . .or from any other idol you may fight in your life (some of us believe that our "salvation" will come from marriage, or children, or "better" children, or a "better marriage!) Pray that God will reveal to you the truth of genuine salvation and show you these idols. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, April 20, 2021
You Have a Testimony: Spring Break Free Day 9
There's a wonderful song by Big Daddy Weave called, "Story" watch it first before viewing today's video! For years and years, I believed that I didn't have a story. I was a "good girl." I didn't have a dramatic testimony of salvation from the depths of drug abuse or alcoholism. I wasn't a hardened criminal who saw the light and softened my heart. It seemed my testimony was as bland as bland could be. Boring. I didn't think I had a story. But, now I see things a little different. You see, if we've really, truly been saved, we've been saved from something. There's a before and an after. Like a makeover, there needs to be a visible change. When I entered my mid-thirties I began to see (and feel) my own depravity and realize that I did need a Savior to redeem my sins of pride and idolatry. Truth is, any story of someone going from death to eternal life IS a good story. Right? Here's a little more about my story and change of perspective: Questions for reflection Have you ever spent time thinking about your story? Maybe you DO have a dramatic story of who you were before Christ and who you are now. Or, maybe, like me, you've struggled to figure out what your "testimony" is. Spend some time today thinking about your story. Most of us crave a physical transformation, but the spiritual transformation that happens when we see what God has done in our lives can lead to a type of freedom that's better than a dramatic weight loss or professional makeover! If you haven't had this type of transformation, then let me encourage you. It's available. For you. Today! Your value was settled at the cross where God gave his only son to die for you! Accept his free gift of salvation and believe in Him today. Confess and repent of your sin and embrace his great love for you today. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, April 19, 2021
What Fixed My Body Image Issues: Spring Break Free Day 8
During the last few days you've heard me share about the things I tried and thought would fix my body image issues . . .and how each of them failed. Today, I share how brokenness and the revelation of body image idolatry transformed my story. Watch it here: Question for Reflection Do you believe that God's will for our lives is not for us to stay stressed over our physical appearance? How can you reconcile what you believe about God's desire for us as his daughters and your struggle? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sun, April 18, 2021
What I Thought Would Fix My Body Image: Motherhood, Day 7
Marriage didn't fix my body image issues. In some ways, it may have made them worse! But, there was still something I hadn't tried. I knew if I could just get pregnant, then, somehow, I'd feel better about my body. After all, in my mind, pregnant women didn't need to worry about how they looked. They had a baby growing in them! What an awesome job and responsibility. How could anyone nurturing a baby in their womb stress over calories or the shape of her bum? Oh, but, this is the part of the series where you learn how dense I truly am. Haha. Can a pregnant woman worry about her body image? Uh, yes and double yes! Here's my story: Question for Reflection I have friends who swear that pregnancy fixed their body image struggles. Eating disorders were finally beat because pregnancy made them see their bodies in a new light. But, for me, it had relatively no positive impact. If you've had a baby, did body image bother you while you were pregnant? If not, are you guilty of imaging that pregnancy will "fix" your struggles? **Answer below to join the conversation or answer privately in a journal for prayerful reflection later!** Here's another post on lessons I learned about how my children were little mirrors who needed me to work on my issues so they wouldn't repeat them! Watch and read the rest of the Spring Break Free Series Here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Sat, April 17, 2021
What I Thought Would Fix My Body Image: Part Two (Marriage) Day 6
Yesterday, I shared one way I (ineffectively) tried to fix my body image. Truth is, after I tried and it failed, I wasn't all that surprised. Why? Because I knew the real reason I wasn't happy with my body had to be because I was single. Deep down I was sure if I just had a man, all these body image issues would evaporate without a trace. Boy was I wrong. Hear all about it and read about it on the blog by clicking here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/what-i-thought- would-fix-my-body-image-part-two-marriage I've blogged about this a bit before, so if you want to read more, you can do that here or here. Or, if you just want to hear how it happened--straight from the horse's (embarrassed) mouth. Listen to today's episode or click to watch today's video: Questions for reflection If you are married, did you believe that marriage would solve (or at least help) your insecurity or body image struggles? Did it? Do you still believe that a "mere man" can fix body image issues? Has your husband helped you in the arena of body image? Does he struggle to know what to say or do when you talk about your struggle? (If so, recommend this post-- How to Help Your Wife With Body Image Issues-- to him !) If you are single, have you ever thought "If I just had a man . . .I wouldn't struggle?" (It's okay if you did, that's what I believed! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, April 16, 2021
What I Thought Would Fix My Body Image: Fixing My Body Day 5
It's Day Five of our Spring Break Free! Today, I share what I thought would fix my body image. It's almost embarrassing now . . . I can't believe how naive I was to think this would ACTUALLY work. But, I tried it. Some of you will think it was extreme . . . All I can tell you is: It didn't work. Watch today's video for more: Question for reflection Did you ever believe that people who were in great shape (like the instructors of personal trainers at a gym) never struggle with their body image? If we believe that body image issues are internal issues, not issues related to how our bodies actually look--doesn't it make sense that women of every size and shape could struggle? How does this strike you? Do you feel more apt to believe that certain women struggle more or less than other women do? **Scroll down to answer in comments if you want to be part of the discussion. Or, answer privately in a journal for prayer and reflection later!** Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, April 15, 2021
What a Woman with Body Image Issues Looks Like. Day 4 SBF
Do you know how to spot a woman with body image issues? Do you know what she looks like? Is she thin? Overweight? Is she wearing make-up? Or has she never set foot in a Sephora? Does she spend lots on her hair and nails or are those salons places she'd never visit. Is she in her thirties, forties, or as young as middle or high school? My answer: Yes. Women with body image issues don't meet a particular type. In fact, you may just see one in today's video. Watch the first part of my story. Here I tell you about when my struggle began. Questions for reflection If you struggle with body image, have you ever stopped to think about your personal story? When did your struggle begin? Can you pinpoint a time in life? If you feel comfortable, share it in comments below. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Wed, April 14, 2021
Spring Break Free Day 3
In today's installment of the Spring Break Free we will take a look at why body image issues are so hard to fix! There are seemingly so many "solutions" out there as to how to stop stressing over your body. Body love, body pride, body transformation--each of these "solutions" is sold to us as an effective cure. But what if the real problem with our body image has nothing to do with our actual bodies. That's what we talk about in today's episode. Don't forget to go to the FULL show notes to get your discussion questions. https://comparedtowho.me/category/spring-break-free-body-image-course/ I took my child to the doctor the other day. Pink, itchy spots covered his little body. He had a fever of 103 and was barely able to eat. The doctor's diagnosis: He has a broken leg. She put a cast on it and said to come back in six weeks to get it removed. If this were really the scenario, if my doctor was truly this lousy at diagnosing illness, I think I'd find a new one immediately. Wouldn't you? Obviously in the scenario above, my son doesn't have a broken bone. He has a virus or other contagious illness. A cast on the leg won't fix it. Friends: This is exactly what I believe the problem is in our culture. We are trying to fix the "virus" of body image issues with a plaster cast. Today I explore some of the ineffective ways culture tries to "cure" body image issues. Some of these proposed "cures" are obvious, others are more discreet. Question for reflection In what ways have you tried culture's cures for your body image issues? Have they worked? Don't miss a single day of the Spring Break Free! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Tue, April 13, 2021
Spring Break Free: Why Do So Many Women Struggle
Day Two of the Spring Break Free! Why are there so many body image issues? Today we define some terms. What is body image? Is there a connection between how you look and your body image? What's Body Dsymorphic Disorder? And, finally, why do so many women struggle with their body image? Watch today's video and see if you agree with Heather's analysis. If you don't believe me about the Carrie Underwood thing . . . Here's a link! It's a few years old (I'm assuming she's changed a bit! But I don't know!) Questions for reflection Do you feel like a lot of women you know struggle with their body image or do you feel alone? Have you ever considered the fact that one's physical appearance doesn't connect to their body image? ( Here's a post on this topic if you need to read more !) It's not too late to invite a friend to join . . .Forward this or use social media channels below. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, April 12, 2021
Spring Break Free Course Starts Today
Welcome to Day One of the Spring Break Free! I created this course in 2017 as a companion or use-along with my first book, Compared to Who? This course is all about helping you get free. I want you to be free from body image stress and comparison's burden. Friends Don't Let Friends Struggle With Body Image Alone Have a friend that needs body image encourgement? Use the email or a social media link below and share with her. Trust me . . .most women need encouragement in the body image arena! Or, gather some friends online and start a Bible study using these videos as your guide! Tomorrow we get into the meat of why there are so many women with body image issues! Don't miss it! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, April 07, 2021
Bible Bombshells: Lessons From Beautiful Women in the Bible
Rachel was hot, Leah was not ... Bathsheba was lusted after, while Tamar couldn't get her deceased husband's family to fulfill their obligation and marry her. There are so many women in the Bible whose stories we know, but what separates the "hot" from the "not?" Can we learn a lesson about physical beauty and body image from the women of the Bible? My guest today, Rachel Risner, is the author of a Bible study on the women in the lineage of Jesus called "Significant." Listen and learn today! Connect with Rachel: www.rachelrisner.com Buy Rachel's book here. https://amzn.to/3uqaUSa (Amazon affiliate link) Get a FREE walk to lose the weight of comparison download when you sign up for the Compared to Who? friends list at www.comparedtowho.me sign up here: Review the podcast and win 2 free hours of coaching! Share your review on social and get 5 extra entries. Watch the live and unedited version of our interview here: Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, April 05, 2021
3 Reasons to Get Rid of Clothes That Don't Fit
Clothes that don't fit may be causing you more shame than you know...and no one ever broke free from the shame of body image through shaming themselves! Here are Heather's most compelling reasons to clean out your closet and sweep away body shame. Plus: Helpful tips on how to practically do this. Read more on this topic: https://wp.me/p4wMDD-K7 Letter to clothes that don't fit: I'm breaking up with you. When None of Your Clothes Seem to Spark Joy. Connect with Compared to Who? Win free coaching with your podcast review - Tag @comparedtowho or email here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, March 29, 2021
Pornography, Shame, and Finding Freedom
Porn can have a huge impact on our body image and relationships. Now 32% of porn users are women and I receive messages every week from women who are struggling with the impact of porn on their marriage. Today It talk to Joy Skarka, an expert on this topic. She has a powerful testimony of finding freedom in this arena and helps women break free from the shame porn brings. This is an issue that's growing and impacting even the youngest eyes--so listen today and learn what you can do to fight this battle or help someone you love fight it! Connect with Joy through Authentic Intimacy on Instagram or at: https://www.authenticintimacy.com (Find support groups here too!) Heather on the Java with Juli podcast: Episode 304 on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-juli/id1116000318 Need help monitoring your child's screens or need accountability for your own addiction struggles? Check out Covenant Eyes with this link. Want to leave a review and win free coaching: Tag @comparedtowho on Facebook or Instagram. Not on socials? Drop Heather an email at: heather@comparedtowho.me Connect with Compared to Who? at www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, March 22, 2021
Transforming Your Thought Life featuring Sarah Geringer
Today's conversation is with Sarah Geringer, author of a powerful book on Christian meditation and our thought lives. Sarah and I talk about: the one thing Sarah did each day that transformed her view of herself how to combat the lies that flood our minds how to find hope if you've been emotionally and verbally abused why boundaries matter and why Christian meditation isn't New Age but a biblical practice mentioned throughout the Bible. Watch until the end for our detour to the topic: Is posting fabulous images on social media leading others into temptation? Connect with Sarah: Sarahgeringer.com Buy Sarah's Book Transforming Your Thought Life * (Amazon affiliate link). Grab your FREE "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" workout download: www.comparedtowho.me Support this podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho About Sarah: Sarah Geringer is a speaker, podcaster, artist and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus and three self-published books. Sarah also hosts a podcast, Heart in a Drawer , to minister to adult children of divorce. She is currently working on a teen girl version of Transforming Your Thought Life , to be published in fall 2021. She is on the devotional writing teams for Proverbs 31 Ministries, A Wife Like Me, Devotable, Hope-Full Living, Kingdom Edge Magazine and Woman 2 Woman Ministries. When she’s not reading over 100 books per year, Sarah enjoys painting, baking, gardening and playing the flute. Her daily must-haves are hot tea, dark chocolate, and fresh flowers. She lives in southeast Missouri with her husband and three children. Sarah writes and speaks about finding peace in God’s Word. Follow Sarah on: Facebook , Instagram, Twitter , Pinterest , YouTube , LinkedIn , Goodreads Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, March 15, 2021
Confessions of an Over 40 Fitness Instructor featuring Amy Connell
If you like to workout and have ever spent anytime at the gym (or with Peleton ) today's episode is for you. Today I talk with my friend, Amy Connell about some "secrets" of the fitness industry. We talk about what it's like to be an over-forty fitness instructor. She shares her story of a personal struggle with body image, and we talk about things you may not know about that person leading your group fitness class or personal training. Here are a few other topics we explore: Why women over 40 may need to work out differently than other women. What happens when we don't give ourselves grace to age! Why Heather has never taught step aerobics. Why mobility is important. How to stop idolizing fitness professionals, and How you can make a difference for Christ at your gym! I think you'll glean a lot of wisdom from this fun conversation! Connect with Amy here: GracedHealth.com or on her podcast: Graced Health. Connect with Heather here: www.comparedtowho.me Get the FREE "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" Walking Workout Download here: www.comparedtowho.me Support Compared to Who? on Patreon: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho More about Amy: Amy Connell is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and imperfect eater. She is host of the Graced Health podcast. She seeks to equip women with simple and grace-filled ways to take care of and appreciate their God-created body … and enjoy a little chocolate in the process. She lives in the Houston, Texas area with her husband of 23 years, their two always-hungry teen boys, and her stray-turned princess pit bull named Grace. Her podcast tagline is: Providing women simple and grace-filled ways to take care of themselves, all with a little chocolate. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Fri, March 12, 2021
Heather Talks Body Image & Comparison with Say So! Podcast
Recently I recorded a fun & encouraging interview with Jeanne Terry from the Say So! podcast. In this episode I'm on the other side of the mic, answering Jeanne's questions about body image, comparison, and spiritual roots of these issues. If you're new to Compared to Who? this episode is a great overview of this ministry, Heather's story, and how to start a body image freedom journey! Listen and then check out, subscribe and leave a positive review for Jeanne's podcast "Say So!" Connect with Compared to Who? www.comparedtowho.me Get the free "Walk to Lose the Weight of Comparison" 30 minute walking workout - at www.comparedtowho.me Connect with Jeanne and the Say So! Podcast -@Sayso on your favorite social media channel. Internal token code: tpxOUufyXrIia1Sm9WFh Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, March 08, 2021
7 Minutes of Scripture: Psalm 103
In this episode we look at Psalm 103 and how it can encourage your body image and comparison struggles. Instead of waking up and cursing the mirror or the scale (or his life), David wakes up and says, "Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!" This passage has some rich truths for those of us who struggle with body image and comparison. There are reminders of God's benefits, reminders of his tremendous love for us, and reminders of why worship is so important. Grab your Bible or open your Bible app and follow along. Take the Free Body Image Quiz and get a FREE "Lose the Weight of Comparison" Walking Workout Download, here: www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, March 01, 2021
What Dieting Does to Your Body
Today's episode is for EVERY man and woman who has ever had an on-again, off-again relationship with dieting. Have you learned that certain foods are "good" and certain foods are "bad"? Have you lived a life of going on and going off of diets? Ever wonder why so many people still go on diets even though all the data shows that 95% of diets don't work and 80% of people who lose weight on a diet will gain it back within a year. Just getting skinnier actually doesn't make you healthier. Today I talk to an expert on this topic - Alexandra MacKillop. She's a holistic healthcare provider who helps people recover from unhealthy relationships with food and their bodies. She's written a brand new Christian book called, "Fulfilled" and it's all about the harm years of dieting and diet culture has done to us and what we can do to find health again. Alexandra believes that health has very little to do with that number you see on the scale. She'll encourage you in this episode with some truth about why crash dieting to lose that ten pounds quick can do long-term harm to our bodies. About Alexandra MacKillop: She's a food scientist, author, and functional medicine physician. Her passion lies in helping women care for their health, heal from patterns of dieting, and embrace who God created them to be. She writes weekly blog posts on these topics at AlexandraMacKillop.com , and her faith-based, non-diet book Fulfilled will be released in March. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, February 22, 2021
7 Minutes of Scripture: Colossians 3
Today I launch a brand new bonus series on the podcast called, "7 Minutes of Scripture" and in today's episode we'll explore Colossians 3! I truly believe that we Christian women who wrestle with body image and comparison issues will benefit MOST from being in God's word everyday. You can't know what God say about your identity, where your value is, and how to feel your worth in Christ unless you are reading God's word. I know it's easier to read devotionals, blog posts, or other things that talk about God and what he says. But, nothing will be more transformative in your life than actually reading God's word. There are two ways I like to think about this. First: Chances are you'd never marry someone you hadn't actually met, of if you did you'd have a hard time trusting him until you really got to know him. No matter how many friends told you he was trustworthy - you'd need to know that information for yourself. The same applies with God. Until you know him for yourself, you will wrestle to truly trust him. Second: If your husband or a parent had to deploy for 6 months or had to go far away where you couldn't communicate--but they left you hundreds of letters, would you not read them? Or, would you just rely on your ability to remember how much they loved you and you loved them? Chances are--if they left their words --you'd be in them every day for comfort, encouragement, and reminders of their love. This, my friends, is why we need to be in the word. So, in this new series I'll take about 7 minutes (I can commit to under 10 - I can't commit to 7 exactly!) and we'll talk through a passage of scripture. I'll highlight things that speak to me and tell you how I think they can offer encouragement and insight to body image and comparison struggles. But, I'd encourage you to open your Bible and read along with me. Highlight things that stick out to you and soak in the passage. Today we start in Colossians 3. Oh friends. The Message paraphrase of verses 12-13 will knock your socks off. Literally. This part will stop you in your tracks if you wrestle comparison. I can't wait for you to hear it! //html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/18039905/height/360/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, February 15, 2021
A Gospel View of Marriage
This may be my favorite episode ever recorded! Authors of the Letters to a Romantic book series, Spencer Harmon and Sean Perone, share gospel truth for your marriage--no matter what stage of marriage you're in. We talk about dating and the early years of marriage, but our conversation on body image issues and comparison is marriage is rich and applies to every married couple. If you're married or want to be, this is must listen! I've never heard anyone more clearly lay out how the Gospel can inform our expectations in marriage -- from body image, to sex, to what marriage would be like. Main Points in today’s episode: The MOST important characteristics to look for in a future spouse. Hear Heather’s 3 Dates to Attraction rule. Most important lessons Sean and Spencer learned in their first year of marriage. What to do when marriage “stops feeling good”? How do you keep a healthy, biblical perspective on marriage (especially when it’s new!)? How comparison affects the early years of marriage. Is your marriage informed by the word or by the world? Stick around for the last few minutes when we talk about a biblical perspective on what a man should expect from his wives’ appearance and great insight on Eve, body image, and shame! Grab a copy of Letters to a Romantic: First Years of Marriage on Amazon . https://amzn.to/2Nn9nvW Want to connect with Sean and Spencer? Reach Sean here: seanp@fbcjax.com and Spencer here: spencerh@fbcjax.com Love this episode or the podcast? Consider leaving a review on iTunes!! About the Authors Spencer Harmon: Spencer hails from Cincinnati, Ohio where he was saved and called into pastoral ministry. He and his wife, Taylor, met in Louisville KY while attending Boyce College. In Louisville, he served for several years in college ministry and, before coming to Jacksonville, served as the Senior Pastor at Vine Street Baptist Church. Spencer is the co-author of Letters to a Romantic: On Dating and Letters to a Romantic: On Engagement. He is currently completing his Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is thrilled to serve as First Baptist’s Nocatee Campus Pastor. He and Taylor currently live in Saint Johns, Florida. Three Children: 5 year old, 4 year old, 1 year old Sean Perron: Sean Perron (MDiv, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D. student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Associate Pastor at First Baptist Jacksonville. He was the former Director of Operations at the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and is a certified biblical counselor. He is the co-author of Letters to a Romantic: On Dating and Letters to a Romantic: On Engagement. He is married to Jennifer Perron, they have a son named Chandler and a baby on the way. Or watch the unedited vide
Mon, February 08, 2021
Marriage in the Middle Years feat. Dorothy Greco
Marriage in the middle years of life poses new and unexpected challenges. Today, my guest, author Dorothy Greco and I talk about Marriage in the Middle. How do you stay married through caring for aging parents with kids at home? We talk about the challenges of physical aging and changing and how that impacts marriages. We also talk about body image and comparison in this stage of marriage! You'll enjoy Dorothy's wisdom and her experience. Learn more about Dorothy Greco here. Learn more about Marriage in the Middle book here. Support the Compared to Who? Podcast on Patreon, here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, February 01, 2021
Body Image and Your Marriage with Melissa Clark
It’s Marriage Month on the show and to kick things off I’ve invited my friend, counselor, podcaster, and speaker Melissa Clark to join me. Today we tackle how body image impacts our marriage, what happens when we focus too much on how we feel we look, and what to do when your husband’s trying to compliment you-but you don’t agree! I hope you’ll take a listen to this encouraging and informative conversation that just may change your relationships! About Melissa: Melissa graduated with a Masters in Counseling and Biblical Studies from Grace University. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Southwest Texas State University. She is licensed in the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor (LPC-S). In addition to counseling, Melissa has a heart for the community. She speaks at schools, organizations, and businesses about Eating Disorders, Identity Issues, and Body Image. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook @melissaclarkcounseling Melissa and her husband live in the Dallas area with their son and daughter. Connect with Melissa at http://www.melissacclark.com Melissa's new podcast is: Date Night Success at datenightsuccess.com Use code: FREETRIAL Connect with Compared to Who?: https://www.comparedtowho.me Support Compared to Who? on Patreon: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Mon, January 25, 2021
Falling in Love with God's Word Featuring Author Brittany Ann
My friend Brittany Ann and I talk about reading the Bible! We explore why it can be hard, what our obstacles are to doing it regularly, and she shares the inside scoop on her brand new book on the topic! No shame or blame here - just a great conversation to better equip you to dig into the greatest resources we have for life! Brittany Ann also shares her story of battling an eating disorder and comparison. Connect with Brittany Ann here: www.equippinggodlywomen.com Buy her new book (makes a great gift for a friend who's new to Bible reading!): https://amzn.to/2KRAyOQ Connect with Compared to Who?: www.comparedtowho.me Support Compared to Who? on Patreon: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 11, 2021
Body Image and Comparison Issues: Wisdom for Girl Moms, Mentors, and Ministry Leaders with Cindy Bultema of GEMS
Today's show features Cindy Bultema of GEMS. This must listen episode will encourage every woman and especially girl moms! Executive Director of GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), Cindy Bultema shares her story of overcoming addictions and eating disorders. She shares candidly how she navigates the world of having friends comment on weight and appearance! You'll love Cindy's authenticity and wisdom. Plus: Find out why she thinks we should go on an all fruit diet (Hint-it's not what you think!) Stay til the end and find out how Cindy navigates the snare to compare even today! Connect with Cindy Access GEMS resources for moms, mentors & ministry leaders Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Learn More About Cindy Bultema: Cindy Bultema has a powerful testimony of overcoming loss and addiction. Once a young mom who suffered from years of addiction; an eating disorder, and nearly lost her life to a drug overdose, Cindy now is a passionate speaker, author, and Bible teacher, as well as the Executive Director of GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), a non-profit ministry impacting the lives of girls worldwide. Cindy lives in West Michigan with her husband, John and their four children. Jesus, coffee, confetti, family, and believing that being real is the only way to live are favorites that fill her day. You may also find her walking her two naughty puppies, who like to make messes and eat the most unusual things. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 04, 2021
Don't Go Back to Egypt: How to Keep Making Progress in Improving Your Body Image
As we start another new year - now is the time to stop and inventory where you've been and where you want to be! We're not talking about your weight, we're talking about your heart. Where have you made progress towards improving your body image? What areas are you starting to see glimpses of freedom? Today's episode we'll look at Isaiah 31 and talk about how to keep making progress so this can be the year you feel free! Make sure you're connected to Compared to Who?'s mailing list for weekly encouragement: www.comparedtowho.me/follow Support Compared to Who? through Patreon. Read the blog for encouragement. Read Isaiah 31. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, November 23, 2020
Food, Attitude, Gratitude: Navigating Food Issues During the Holidays
Do the holidays stir up feelings of anxiety or stress about food and weight gain? In this episode, author and speaker Heather Creekmore gets real about food, dieting, all the rules, and what happens at the holidays. Should worrying about food consume our holidays? Is it okay to enjoy food just because we're celebrating? Can we enjoy foods that don't necessarily "nourish" our bodies? Is emotional eating really as bad as we've been told it is? We'll tackle all these issues and more... Plus we'll look at how what we THINK about food may be affecting how our body uses the food we eat! Support Compared to Who? with a year end gift on Patreon. Order Burden of Better or Compared to Who? Sign up for ReFOCUS 2020 or Body Image Coaching. Connect with Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 27, 2020
Food Fixation--A Spiritual Battle with Asheritah Ciuciu
Best-selling author and speaker, Asheritah Ciuciu talks about the struggle with food and it's spiritual roots in this fun and informative episode. Listen as Asheritah explains her prayer asking God to be her, "divide dietician" and how she's learning to hit her knees before hitting the pantry. This is one episode you'll want to share with a friend. Check out Asheritah's book: Full Check out Asheritah's book: Unwrapping the Names of Jesus Connect with Asheritah. Connect with Compared to Who? Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, October 20, 2020
How Do I Know if My Teen Has an Eating Disorder? Guest: Counselor Michelle Nietert
It's hard to know how to help our children with food and food related issues when we may still struggle ourselves. What do we do if our child's showing signs of disordered eating? What if our child is overweight and we are worried? How can we navigate food issues with kids? Counselor, author, and speaker Michelle Nietert helps us navigate these issues and tells us about her new devotional book for tween girls! Learn more about Michelle here. Learn more about her book, "Loved and Cherished" here. Connect with Heather at Compared to Who? Order Heather's new book, The Burden of Better. Order Compared to Who? Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. (Amazon affiliate links mean this ministry gets a very small portion of your purchase at no cost to you.) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 12, 2020
Quitting the Comparison Girl Game with Shannon Popkin
Are you stuck measuring and comparing yourself to others? Author Shannon Popkin and I have a heart to heart about what happens when we compare, how we can stop the dangerous habit of self focus and love others, and what happens in our hearts when we sit around judging others as either "better" or "lesser" than ourselves. Shannon is full of wisdom and encouragement. This is one you'll want to listen to twice! Connect with Shannon. Connect with Heather . Buy Shannon's book . Buy The Burden of Better. Support Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 05, 2020
Chasing Perfect with Author Alisha Illian
Ready to be free from those voices that tell you to do more and be more? Author Alisha Illian and I talk about her new book, "Chasing Perfect" and compare notes on how to stop comparing and find rest and peace in Jesus! We also have a fun conversation about reality television and we tackle the question, "Should your daughter watch the Bachelor ?" You'll enjoy this fun conversation! Connect with Alisha here. Check out Alisha's new book here. Check out Heather's new book here. Visit Compared to Who? here. Support Compared to Who? here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, September 28, 2020
The Upside of Aging with Laurie Davies
Advertisements make aging seem like a crisis that must be stopped, but is there an upside to aging? My friend Laurie Davies and I talk about all the pluses that come with getting older, how you can learn to stop hustling for your worth, and how aging can allow us to settle in and rest in God's purpose for our lives. No matter your age, this is a conversation you'll enjoy! PLUS: Listen til the end for **giveaway** info! Connect with Laurie Connect with Laurie's Facebook group: Get a Midlife! Support Compared to Who? Connect with Heather Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sun, September 20, 2020
Comparison and Social Media: Can Christians Engage in a Healthy Way?
As my new book, Burden of Better releases this week, in this episode I explore how social media impacts us and I talk about ways God has personally been convicting me over my social media usage. Does time on Facebook alter my view of reality? Does social media help me love better or love fewer? Am I causing my sister to stumble when I post? We'll discuss all this and more in this truth-filled, yet challenging episode. Plus: Find out about bonuses you can receive if you order my new book on 9/22! Connect with Heather here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Order Burden of Better and get your bonuses here! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, September 14, 2020
Body Image and Cancer: Walking Through this Unseen Part of the Cancer Journey
Today I talk to my friend, Rachel Czyz about her journey through breast cancer. We visit one aspect of cancer few cover--body image. Rachel and I talk about both the heartache and the redemption she's experienced through her cancer journey and how she coped with her body's changes. Body image and cancer may be a topic that feels superficial at first, but I promise you anyone who's walked through cancer has wrestled it. If you know someone who's walked through cancer or are journeying the path yourself, this is a must listen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, September 08, 2020
One Woman Can Change the World: Interview with Ronne Rock
Ampersands (you know -- these things "&"), finding your purpose, and comparison . . . these are topics my friend, author Ronne Rock and I talk about in today's episode. Listen and be encouraged as to how God doesn't waste any part of our story... instead he adds ampersands! If you're tired of feeling like "finding your purpose" is this big and elusive beast, Ronne explains how to take the stress out and rest in how God has designed you. We'll also talk about Ronne's new book: One Woman Can Change the World. Connect with Ronne here. Follow Ronne on Instagram. Buy Ronne's new book. Connect with Compared to Who? Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, August 25, 2020
Idol of Self & Becoming a Wellness Witness: Interview with Kara Osborne
Kara Osborne confesses that she used to spend her Christmas money on what she needed for the New Year's diet! I could so relate! Kara and I have a fun conversation about how God set her free from the body improvement treadmill, what keeps us stuck on it, and her ministry, "Wellness Witness." Lots of nuggets of truth in this fun episode! Connect with Compared to Who? Connect with Kara Osborne, Wellness Witness Connect with Kara on Facebook or Instagram . Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, August 19, 2020
Defeating Comparison with Worship
Could worship be the key to defeating comparison? Listen to this awesome story from the Psalms. Plus, learn more about the new book "Burden of Better" and listen at the end to find out about a brand new walking workout to lose the weight of comparison! Plus: It's going to be a fantastic season on the podcast, here's your preview! Support Compared to Who? on Patreon Sign up for exclusive emails and info from Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sun, June 21, 2020
Hate How You Look in Pictures? Listen to This!
Do you hate how you look in pictures? Do you volunteer to be the photographer or duck out of photos as much as you can? Instead of convincing you to stay in the photo, this episode will encourage you with strategies to stop obsessing over yourself in photos and how to remember that your real worth far exceeds how you appearance in a still photo! Support Compared to Who? on Patreon: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Take the Body Image Quiz: www.comparedtowho.me/follow Read, share, or pin the blog post that accompanies this episode: https://comparedtowho.me/i-hate-pictures-of-me-how-to-stop- cringing-over-pictures/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sun, June 14, 2020
Body Image & Trauma: Discovering Hope & Healing with Jessica Bottle
Today Jessica Hottle and I dig into the concept of trauma and how unhealed trauma can keep us stuck in body image issues. Whether it's trauma from a car accident or the mean girls in high school, or something much bigger that's shaped your life in unimaginable ways--underlying and unacknowledged trauma keeps us stuck in bondage believing lies about our worth. Jessica helps me unpack this through sharing her story. Connect with Jessica here. Support Compared to Who? here. Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, June 08, 2020
Body Image & Sexual Abuse: Hope, Healing & Resources for Restoration with Mary DeMuth
Today I talk to my friend, Mary DeMuth-she's written dozens of books on a variety of topics -and we talk about several of them! Mary has a powerful testimony of enduring sexual abuse and shares her journey to find healing, what's helped her along the way, and resources she's created to help others who have suffered in this way. We also talk about how body image issues can stem from sexual abuse and Mary's brand new resource created to help anyone looking for healing or looking to help those who want healing from things in their past. (Note: I believe we discuss Mary's story in a non-triggering way.) Connect with Mary here: www.marydemuth.com www.twitter.com/@marydemuth www.instagram.com/@marydemuth Get your free, 21 Days to Healing guide. Listen to Pray Every Day Podcast. Get resources to write your book. Books Mentioned in this Episode: Into the Light - Study https://amzn.to/30rUAF3 We Too: https://amzn.to/2XGzAIC The Day I Met Jesus: https://amzn.to/2MHG3g4 The 7 Deadly Friendships: https://amzn.to/2XHPSkr Support Compared to Who? on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Take the Body Image Quiz: https://www.comparedtowho.me/follow Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, June 01, 2020
His Lust Problem is Not About Your Body: Marriage, Lust & Body Image with guest Rachael Gilbert
Ready to get real about lust/porn struggles and how they effect us, especially in marriage? My friend Rachael Gilbert from "Real Talk with Rachael" and I go deep about body image struggles, insecurity, and how internalizing a husband's struggles with lust can wreak havoc on our marriages. A must listen for any woman who's ever wondered if she needs to be "more beautiful" to divert her man's attention. Connect with Rachael on her website. Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz. Support Compared to Who via Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, May 25, 2020
What's the Healthiest Way to Lose Weight as a Christian? Interview with Sara Borgstede
I'm not a fan of diet culture because traditional diets don't work long term. But today I talk to my friend Sara Borgstede who has maintained a 100 lb. weight loss for a long time. Sara helps women who need to lose weight reach their goals in a healthy, christ-centered, and sustainable ways. We have a fun conversation about the tortoise and the hare, grace versus guilt, and how to truly be healthy from the inside out. Check out Sara's Grow Your Faith Lose the Weight Course Check out Sara's Facebook page. Take the Body Image Quiz. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, May 21, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: Kassandra Baker on Orthorexia and How Clean Eating Didn't Fix Body Image
Kassandra Baker and I get real about the struggles of eating disorders (or ED as she calls them) and talk about her journey through Orthorexia and how God has shown her a freedom she never thought possible. If you love stories of real women who have found recovery and freedom, this one is for you! Connect with Kassandra for your free consult. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon Take the Body Image Quiz Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, May 18, 2020
Comparison & Clutter: Interview with Dana White of A Slob Comes Clean
This conversation may just change your body image and your home! I talk to Dana White of a Slob Comes Clean on how to keep both comparison and clutter at bay! Hear how she got started writing about her messiness and how it's lead to freedom for her and countless others. We'll talk about the connection between body image issues and a cluttered home. We'll also talk about the root issues of why we just can't get rid of those too-small-size clothes in our closet. You'll be encouraged and inspired by today's episode. Connect with Dana here. See all of Dana's books here. Get Dana's books on Amazon. Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, May 11, 2020
Jami Amerine Talks Body Image & Her New Book: "Well, Girl"
Author, speaker, blogger Jami Amerine and I talk about her journey to becoming an author and what it took to write her body image story in her forthcoming book, "Well, Girl." You'll appreciate Jami's authenticity as she talks about a struggle we all know well. Don't miss the last ten minutes-Jami and I discuss something that will change the way you "diet" or think about your food choices, forever I hope! Connect with Jami on her website. Connect with Jami on Facebook. Pre-order Well, Girl * Buy Jami's other books * (**affiliate links) Take the Body Image Quiz. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, May 04, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: Erin Todd on Freedom From Unhealthy Food Rules and Restrictions
Today I talk with my friend Erin Todd a "Ginger in Progress" about how God set her free from body image issues, restrictive eating habits (including Orthorexia), and how he has showed her how to embrace freedom when it comes to food. Listen as Erin shares her story and the hope she's found. Connect with Erin here. Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz. Support Compared to Who? through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, April 29, 2020
Quarantine Chronicles: Anxiety & Depression From Staying Home with Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Neuropsychologist and author, Dr. Michelle Bengtson and I talk about key mental health issues we may be experiencing or seeing in others during the shelter-in-place orders and the COVID19 global pandemic. We'll talk about the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety and how they may be a lot more common because of what we're currently enduring. We also chat about how to see the signs of this in your children and how to help them! Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson here. Join the Hope Prevails Facebook Group Here. Read Dr. B's book: Breaking Anxiety's Grip Read Dr. B's book on her own experience walking through depression: Hope Prevails Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Take the body image awareness quiz. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, April 29, 2020
Quarantine Chronicles: Dieting, Body Image Issues with Integrative Nutrition Coach Erin Kerry
My good friend Integrative Nutrition Coach, Erin Kerry and I dish about our quarantine experiences -- we talk about the temptation to diet, how dieting may not work during quarantine, how we're handling the stress of food shortage, and much, much more! Join our candid and RAW conversation about our own shelter-in-place experiences. Learn More About Erin here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Bonus · Thu, April 09, 2020
Bonus-Enough About Me: Interview with Author Jen Oshman
Jen and I talk about how easy it is to be sucked into self-focus in our self-focused culture and how the only true freedom is found in fixing our gaze somewhere other than on ourselves. We also talk about strategies for surviving the COVID crisis stress! Check out Jen's page and podcast here. Get Jen's book: Enough About Me, here. Take the Body Image Quiz here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, April 03, 2020
Is Your Quarantine Goal to Deepen Your Faith: Convo with Phylicia Masonheimer
Today I chat (from quarantine) with Phylicia Masonheimer author of a brand new book, "Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World." We talk about how to REALLY trust God in the midst of crisis, how to deepen your faith, and how to make anger and discontent dissipate when you learn to trust the Lord. Order Phylicia's Book here. Connect with Phylicia here. Visit Compared to Who? and take the quiz. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, March 25, 2020
Quarantine Survival: My Best Homeschooling, Body Image, ED Recovery, Comparison & Anxiety Handling Tips
Let's get real about this quarantine situation. Today I'll give you my best tips for homeschooling (I've got 7 years of experience), handling anxiety, flaring body image or ED and control issues. We'll talk about it all and what you can do to stop comparing and "live" in this strange new world we've encountered! Join the Spring Break Free Get Compared to Who? the book SUPER cheap! Take the Body Image Quiz Support on Patreon Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 24, 2020
Changing Focus to See Presence of God: Abby McDonald Interview
As we're thrust into uncertain times, we need to see the presence of God in our crazy world, now more than ever! Today I talk to author Abby McDonald. Her brand new book titled, "Shift" is about just that - Changing our focus to see the presence of God! Abby and I talk about dealing with the uncertainty we're living in now thanks to COVID19, and how to take courage in God's truth. We also talk about her struggle with body image after babies and how having a daughter helped her see things differently. Connect with Abby. Get Abby's book on Amazon (delayed) or direct from the publisher (faster and cheaper!)! Support Compared to Who? Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, March 12, 2020
Body the Novel, Helping Boys with Body Image: Interview with Author Sean Coons
Love meaningful fiction? Then you'll love this interview with author, Sean Coons who wrote a great book titled, "Body." It's the story of a woman who wrestles body image and finds peace. Sean and I talk about what it's like to be a man writing about a woman's body image struggle, how to help your son with body image issues, and how to help your spouse too. Great nuggets of truth in this one. Find Sean's "Body" book here. (It's on sale CHEAP as of podcast release!) Connect with Sean Coons. Take the Body Image Quiz. Support Compared to Who? through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, March 05, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: Daughters, Diets, andReal Women, Real Hope: Daughters, Diets, and Modeling a Healthy Body Image with Kristen Maddux Modeling a Healthy Body Image with Kristen Maddux
What does dieting show our daughters? How can we model a healthy body image for them? Today I talk to my friend, Compared to Who? contributor Kristen Maddux about her journey from being the "Best Dieter" in her Weight Watchers group to adjusting her lifestyle and beliefs because her daughter was watching. The episode ends with three ways to model a healthy body image for your daughter -so listen til the end for these great tips! Read Kristen's posts on Compared to Who? Connect with Kristen here. Take the Body Image Quiz here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 28, 2020
Author Christine Hoover on False Allegiances, Comparison & Following King Jesus
Author Christine Hoover and I talk about how easy it is to give our allegiance to things and concepts that aren't Jesus and how these false allegiances can keep us in the comparison trap. Christine talks about her brand new book titled, "With All Your Heart: Living Joyfully for King Jesus" and how she's personally struggled with comparison. Get Christine's new book, "With All Your Heart" here. Connect with Christine here. Take the Body Image Awareness quiz. Support Compared to Who? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, February 19, 2020
6 Ideas for Lent that Don't Involve Food
Do you practice Lent? Though not a required spiritual discipline for a Christian, committing 40 days to intentional spiritual focus can be super helpful if you're trying to find freedom from body image issues or comparison struggles. For chronic or recovering dieters, food related fasts may not be the best idea. Here are six ideas for lent that don't involve food but may help you feel a whole lot better about your body by Easter. Support Compared to Who? Take the Quiz or Visit Compared to Who? Sign up or find out more information about the ReFOCUS 2020 Facebook Course that begins March 2, 2020 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, February 17, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: Mental Health, Diets, Marriage & More with Health Coach Erin Kerry
Integrative Health Coach Erin Kerry and I have a fun conversation about everything from what dieting does to our brains and our marriages to mental health. From Erin's favorite phrase, "You can't digest when you're stressed," to my explanation of how dieting is like religion--this episode is chocked full of nuggets of wisdom! Don't miss the very end where we talk about the study of how crazy men acted when they were put on diets and when we offer the opportunity to join an affordable Facebook body image coaching group with both of us! Connect with Erin: Sparking Wholeness website Sparking Wholeness podcast Get More information on March ReFOCUS Facebook Body Image Course with Erin and Heather. Erin's writing on Compared to Who? Visit Compared to Who? Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sun, February 09, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: Handling & Accepting Change with author Gina Butz
Though I like to keep things mixed up, change is hard! Especially those big, life-altering changes--they can send me into a spiral of emotions. My guest today is Gina Butz, author of the new book, "Making Peace With Change: Navigating Life's Messy Transitions with Honesty and Grace." We talk about why we compare ourselves to others when change is stressing us out, how to be real with God about how we feel about change, and how to endure seasons where change overwhelms us! Great encouragement if your in the midst of change right now--or if you see change ahead! Get Gina's book here. Connect with Gina here. Visit Compared to Who? here. Check out Compared to Who? the book, here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon, here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 27, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: How Discovering My Purpose Helped Me Find Freedom, Cheri's Story
Today's guest struggled with body image and comparison and used to feel like she was "just" a mom . . .until God showed her something kind of amazing about that word "just." Hear Cheri Fletcher's story of discovering her purpose and how she's helping teens create a "Spiritual Game Plan" so they're ready for whatever life throws their way. Connect with Cheri here: www.cherifletcher.com Learn more about Spiritual Game Plan here. Take the body image quiz. Support Compared to Who? through Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 13, 2020
Real Women, Real Hope: Uncovering Body Image Idolatry Changed Me - Mindy's Story
Today Heather Creekmore interviews Mindy Pickens, a woman who's uncovered God's grace and hope for her body image in a way she never expected! Listen to Mindy's hope-filled story and glean from her wisdom in walking a path towards freedom she never thought possible. Connect with Mindy at her Remedial Homemaker Blog here. Read Mindy's blog posts here. Take the body image awareness quiz here. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon here. Read Compared to Who? the book (Mindy's story on page 112!) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, December 30, 2019
New Year, ReNEWed You!
The Bible never says you need a "New Year, New You." In fact, the Bible has a prescription for changing your body that's pretty specific. That is, the Bible instructs us to RENEW our minds. A ReNEWed you is the absolute best way to make 2020 different. Learn how and find out more info about a special coaching opportunity in this episode. Learn More about ReFOCUS 2020 Coaching Take the Body Image Quiz Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Thu, December 26, 2019
Compared to Who? Proven Path to Improve Your Body Image Book Preview
Stressed or depressed over the skin you're in? Maybe you've heard you should "love your body" but are frustrated trying. In today's episode you'll hear the intro and chapter 1 of a phenomenal resource that will give you new hope for your body image and lead you to find your confidence in something much greater than body love! If you've been searching for a way out of comparison and body image struggles but nothing's worked- listen to this book preview! (**Affiliate links) Order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/35XnRY4 Or: Compared to Who? on ChristianBook.Com Download the book preview PDF here! Or: visit comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, December 02, 2019
The Burden of Busyness Part 2: Heart Conditions That Drive Our Busyness
You know you're busy -but do you know why? Sure, you can blame the boss, the kids, the holidays . . . but are there subtle things going on in your heart that drive you to be busier than you actually need to be? In this episode, Heather Creekmore uncovers 4 common heart conditions that keep us struggling under the burden of busyness. Want to be free to rest? Listen to this. Take the Body Image Quiz: www.comparedtowho.me/follow Support this Podcast on Patreon Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, November 18, 2019
The Burden of Busyness Part 1
Do you thrive in busyness or feel like you're falling apart? Do you go through seasons when life feels out of balance and the busyness turns to overwhelm? Does the busyness of the holiday season stress you out? Today Heather Creekmore reveals the secret to handling busyness biblically, looking at Old Testament passages and the New Testament story of Mary and Martha. The secret to finding relief to the burden of busyness just may surprise you! Links from today's episode: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho www.comparedtowho.me/follow Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, November 04, 2019
Aiming to Bless Not Impress: A Conversation about Comparison with Author Richella Parham
When you interact with others do you want to bless them or impress them? Heather Creekmore and author of a new book on comparison, Richella Parham have a fantastic discussion about how they've both struggled with comparison and body image. Don't miss the second half of this extended length episode where we unlock the secret to blessing not impressing! Links from today's show: Richella's blog: Imparting Grace Richella's book, "Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison." Richella on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest Compared to Who? Book Compared to Who? Blog Compared to Who? Patreon - Support this podcast here! **Amazon affiliate links** Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 28, 2019
How to Stop Troubleshooting Your Life
There are a zillion and one things you could do to improve yourself and your life. But, what happens if you spend too much time (or all your time) looking at all the flaws? You get caught in the trap of troubleshooting and you don't enjoy the life you have! In this episode Heather Creekmore helps you learn how troubleshooting your life can be a drag and how you can find contentment without making everything "better." Links in this episode: Support this podcast on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Take the Body Image Quiz here: www.comparedtowho.me/follow Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 21, 2019
Identity, Depression & Anxiety: How to Find Freedom with Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Do you ever feel anxious, depressed, or stressed about life to the point where you don't know what to do about it? Heather Creekmore interviews neurospychologist and author, Dr. Michelle Bengtson on body image, comparison, depression, anxiety. Find out how identity issues are central to all of these struggles and hear Dr. B give a prescription for hope no matter what your struggle! Listen to Dr. Michelle's Podcast Visit DrMichelleBengtson.com and get your free downloadable study guide! Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression on Amazon. Breaking Anxiety's Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises on Amazon Take the body image quiz: www.comparedtowho.me/follow Read Dr. Michelle's Post on Compared to Who about the bucket list and the perfect pair of shoes here. (Affiliate links) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 07, 2019
Bad Hair Cuts, Bad Hair Days, What to Do if You Stress Over Your Hair
Has a bad haircut ever taken the wind out of your sails? Does a bad hair day make you want to fake the flu? Do you keep the same hair style because you're afraid of the hairdresser's power over your appearance? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode is for you. Host Heather Creekmore talks about what to do if you've made progress on other body image issues but still find yourself stressing about your hair. Links from today's episode: www.comparedtowho.me/follow www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, October 07, 2019
What to do if you have CDD: Chronic Disappointment Disorder
Do you have CDD--Chronic Disappointment Disorder? Are you constantly let down by your expectations of others, yourself, or things that you wished or hoped would happen? In this episode Heather Creekmore talks about the ways she's struggled with disappointment and she offers biblical suggestions for how to overcome constant disappointment and live with joy. Links from this episode: www.comparedtowho.me www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, September 25, 2019
Making Peace With Your Body: Interview with Jen DeFrates
Today I interview Jen DeFrates of Heaven Not Harvard: Heaven Focused Parenting and Living . Jen and I talk about her story, homeschooling, life as a military spouse, and--of course, body image, comparison, and so much more! Hear Jen talk about how she's learning to accept the skin she's in, how she's journeyed through mean girls, body image, and comparison issues and how she's learning to make peace with her body! Links from today's show: https://heavennotharvard.com/ https://themamapologist.com/ www.comparedtowho.me /follow Loving this podcast? Consider supporting Compared to Who on Patreon:www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, September 16, 2019
How to Hush the Hustle, Part 2
Are you a hustler? Someone who works fast and hard, always trying to get ahead or be better? In this episode, Heather Creekmore explores how to hush our hustle--how the long view of life and how the tortoise can sometimes end up winning the race. If you tend to sprint, crash diet, or go through periods of hustle and then burnout, this episode will give you hope and encouragement. Visit Compared to Who's Website. Support Compared to Who? on Patreon. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, September 16, 2019
How to Hush the Hustle, Part 1
Are you hustling? Does that drive to do better, be better, find success, make it happen beat in your brain and your heart? In today's episode, host Heather Creekmore talks about how all the hustling can be a drag on our bodies and our souls. If you've been hustling but aren't sure you're getting anywhere, this episode is for you! Visit Compared to Who's website here. Did you know it costs over $100 a month just to pay the services needed to run a blog and a podcast? Would you consider contributing even $1 a month towards helping Compared to Who? share the Gospel and hope with Christian women? Support Compared to Who on Patreon here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, September 02, 2019
What you think about other people matters. How's your thought life?
What are your thoughts about other people? Do they matter? In this episode we look at how our thoughts about other people contribute to our comparison and body image problems and what we can do to change the way we think about others. Our relationships are affected by our thought life more than we realize, and our thoughts--especially when we compare--can keep us stuck. Here's some hope and help for stopping the negative thought train! Links from this episode: https://www.comparedtowho.me https://www.patreon.com/comparedtowho Want your business featured on the Compared to Who? podcast? Write Heather here for more information on advertising and sponsorship. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sun, September 01, 2019
What to do When You Feel Like You Don't Fit in?
We all struggle to feel like we fit in sometimes. If you've ever felt like you were different than everyone around you, or felt like you were having a hard time finding "your people" this episode will offer hope and strategies for making connections and finding community. This episode addresses how to fit in when you're in a place where you, in some ways, are different than everyone else, and how to fit in when you are in a place where you "should" fit in, but you just haven't found your crowd yet! Links: Compared to Who? Quiz: www.Comparedtowho.me Support Compared to Who? on Patreon! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, August 26, 2019
Is Self Love Biblical?
Everywhere in our culture we hear that self love is the answer! More self love means more self esteem, fewer relationship hassles, and a "better" life. But, is it true? Does the concept of self love line up with the Bible's definition of how to live? This episode looks at popular self love sayings and memes and examines them in relation to scripture. Body Image Awareness Quiz at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, August 12, 2019
Back to Routine? Succeeding with New Habits and Rhythms
Do Fall and "Back to School Season" drive you to make new goals or plans to 'be better' this year? If you find yourself chasing your ideals or goals and falling short, season after season, here's some encouragement as to how to set goals you can stick with (and achieve) and how to succeed with establishing new habits and rhythms. If comparison is a struggle for you or you're always trying or hoping to "be" or "do" better, this episode is for you! Mentioned in today's show: Compared to Who? the book (affiliate link - purchasing book through link above contributes a tiny amount to this ministry!) Jen DeFrates wrote a Facebook post about what's happened two years after she read Compared to Who? the book. You can see the post on Facebook or read her original post below: https://heavennotharvard.com/beating-body-image-issues-compared-to-who/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, April 10, 2019
How to Handle Body Image Issues Flare Ups
What do you do when you feel like your body image is doing better and then, boom! Out of nowhere you feel yourself comparing or struggling with the scale and mirror again! Here's how to handle body image issue flare ups, and keep the freedom you've gained! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Tue, March 26, 2019
What about Leah? Body Image and Comparison Lessons from Rachel and Leah
Rachel and Leah, the iconic Bible story of two sisters with a giant sibling rivalry, has some hidden truths about body image and comparison. Grab your Bible, turn to Genesis 29 and get ready to see this story in a whole new way. For every woman who's ever hoped to be Rachel, not Leah, here's some amazing truth. Show links: https://www.comparedtowho.me https://thebibleproject.com https://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org Related blog posts: https://comparedtowho.me/rachel-rachel-rachel-three-lessons-leah-can-teach-us-about-beauty-and-body-image/ https://comparedtowho.me/leah-wasnt-beautiful-rachel-leah-lessons/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Wed, March 20, 2019
How to Find Your Purpose
Finding purpose sounds like a challenge. In this episode Heather Creekmore shares the crazy simple ways you can find purpose through steps of obedience. Heather shares some wild stories of how God provided in totally unexpected ways for their family and for her dreams. Listen to be encouraged and to start your journey towards finding greater purpose. Recommended: Listen to Episode 7, Breaking Free from Comparison before listening to this episode! www.comparedtowho.me Compared to Who? the book Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, February 15, 2019
Is Comparison Killing You?
Does comparison bog you down? Do you struggle with constantly comparing your life or your marriage or yourself to other people? In today's podcast, host Heather Creekmore, author of the book "Compared to Who?" helps unpack the ways comparison holds us back. Discover how you can find a way out of comparison and improve your relationships. Resources mentioned in this episode: Compared to Who? blog Body Image Survey Compared to Who? The book Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, February 04, 2019
Finding Joy & Overcoming Body Image & Comparison Issues
If our body image and comparison issues are rooted in fear, then friends, we aren't living in joy. The Bible tells us fear and joy can't co-exist. Learn how to find joy through the stories and practical exercises suggested in this podcast! Helpful links: Comparedtowho.me Compared to Who? the book God Calling Book Mari Kondo's "Spark Joy" book Nehemiah 8:10 Kay Warren, "Choose Joy" Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 18, 2019
Fear and Body Image Issues: What You Need to Get Free
Could fear be driving your insecurity, body image issues, or comparison struggles? In this fascinating episode of Compared to Who? we'll talk about all the places fear may be hiding when it comes to your struggles. Is fear driving disordered eating, control issues, or trust issues? Do you wrestle with fear of man--wondering what other people think of you and hoping they always approve? Compared to Who? host, Heather Creekmore unpacks all the ways that fear hides and robs us from living a joyful and confident life. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Neil Anderson's books: Letting Go of Fear Freedom in Christ Ministries Zach Williams, Fear is a Liar (song) Compared to Who? body image quiz Compared to Who? the blog Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Mon, January 07, 2019
Do You Need a New Year New You? Resolutions, Diets, and How to Change
Ready for a "new year, new you?" Or, are you tired of the endless cycle of making annual resolutions only to not accomplish them . . .once again. It's frustrating to want to improve BUT feel stuck and powerless to make it happen. In this episode, author and speaker Heather Creekmore explores the concept of reinvention and whether or not, as Christian women, this should really be our goal. She also talks about how to accomplish goals or resolutions without getting bogged down with faulty thinking about WHY we need to change that takes us off track. Learn more about Compared to Who? and sign up for the email list or find out about coaching here: www.comparedtowho.me Compared to Who? the book on Amazon Read the Compared to Who? blog! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Sat, January 05, 2019
Habits that Keep Us Stuck with Poor Body Image
Once you've discovered the root of your body image issues, it's important to change your habits so you can keep your freedom. Are there things you do, each and every day, that may, subconsciously be keeping you stuck with negative or poor body image? Author and speaker Heather Creekmore explores the different ways we can sabotage our efforts to improve our body image through our bad habits. Connect with Heather to find out about coaching and other ways you can get support on your body image journey here: www.comparedtowho.me Video about our habits, the media and body image! Is this secret killer at your salon? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Fri, January 04, 2019
What is Body Image Idolatry?
**A must listen to undertand the Compared to Who? show's mission!** You've read the Bible and you know that you "shouldn't" struggle with body image. You know you're fearfully and wonderfully made, and yet you don't feel good enough. You've heard all the cliche, it's what's on the inside that counts--but that doesn't help. You want your outsides to look better too! In today's episode, author and speaker Heather Creekmore discusses how to unveil the hidden root of body image issues. She explores the topic of body image idolatry and how it can keep Christian women stuck with negative body image and insecurity. She also discussed the way out, giving great hope to any woman who struggles in this area. Resources from today's show: www.Comparedtowho.me Worshipping Calves - Body Image Idolatry - From Compared to Who? My Beauty Idol: Mindy's Story Compared to Who? the book on Amazon Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
Trailer · Thu, January 03, 2019
What is Compared to Who? Help for Christian Women Who Wrestle Body Image & Insecurity
Ready to stop comparing and start living? In this pilot episode of Compared to Who? the podcast, author and speaker Heather Creekmore shares her testimony of struggling with disordered eating, insecurity, and body image issues and how, in an unexpected way, God showed her the path out of these issues. This episode talks about how Compared to Who? is different than other ministries designed to help women with these issues and encourages women that there is great hope for new freedom in all of these areas. Compared to Who? the book on Amazon Burden of Better book on Amazon Read Compared to Who? the blog here: www.Comparedtowho.me/blog Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz here: www.comparedtowho.me Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .
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