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 Catherine Fabrizio's book, "The Good Daughter Syndrome."

Learn more about agency in this episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/finding-body-image-freedom-through-understanding-a

Learn how to forgive mom in this episode: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/forgiving-mom-or-others-for-their-roles-in-body-im

Need more help? Consider working with Heather or our team in coaching. Or, join us on the 40-Day Journey starting January 7th. Learn more at https://www.improvebodyimage.com

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.comto 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 for the day is its own trouble.

Ready for Christian body image coaching? Visit: www.comparedtowho.me

Want to learn more about our sponsor, Classical Conversations? Visit: www.classicalconversations.com/comparedtowho

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
• **Updated 6-22: An Ozempic provider reached out to me to clarify that these drugs can be helpful for women who have truly struggled at higher weights with healthy habits and need intervention and inspiration to pursue a different lifestyle. She has seen it be effective in these cases and believes the side effects may be more nuanced than presented on the pharmaceutical company's website. This podcast is not intended for medical advice, please consult your physician.  

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

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

1. Improve body image by addressing internal issues of the heart, instead of just physical appearance.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

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 Name 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.

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.

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.

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/

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Interested in Christian body image coaching? Find out more at: www.improvebodyimage.com

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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

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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:

1. Does God command us to exercise? Did he design our bodies to move?
2. 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?
3. Are there other ways that we are moving our bodies naturally as a part of using our gifts? Can this "count" as exercise?
4. 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?
5. How do we listen to our bodies around exercise instead of listening to guilt and shame that comes from culture's expectations around exercise?
6. 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
7. If exercise is an addiction or a problem: Ask why you are working out so hard.
8. 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

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.