Kindful Body & Mind - Self Love. Self Acceptance. Self Worth.

Join me on Insta for your daily dose of body kindfulness!

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✨ 12 Days of Kindful Christmas ✨

10. Jingle bells, diet talk smells... 🎶

Aim to make the festive season free from diet talk.

While we can’t control what those around us discuss, we can choose whether or not we engage in diet conversation.

Food is often a big focus of the day, which means it can bring up guilt and shame for those of us who struggle with our relationship with food. This chat can go on to trigger talk about future diet plans, weight loss strategies and/or compensate with exercise.

If others are engaging in diet talk around you, try and remove yourself from the conversation or change the topics so something more positive (and interesting!). TIP: Why not steer the conversation away from diet talk by getting everyone to go around the table and talk about their proudest achievement of the year instead 💕

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🎉 Kindful Christmas Giveaway 🎁

To say a huge THANK YOU to my amazing clients and community this year, I have a gift pack fall of kindfulness to giveaway.

This time of year can be tough, stressful and overwhelming and I know how hard it can be to prioritise your own wellbeing.

This gift pack is full of goodies that encourage you to take a moment for yourself and help you to practice self love and self care.

Included is:
- A gratitude journal
- ‘Me Time’ book by Jessica Sanders
- kikki-K conversation starter cards (these are awesome as journal prompts)
- Assorted Lush bath bombs (thanks to the babes at Fountain Gate - if you’re local, go say hi!)
- $50 Kindful Body & Mind voucher (can be used on any products or services)
- @bopowomen Self-Love body oil

To enter:
- Like this post and comment something about your body you are grateful for
- Make sure you are following @kindfulbodymind & @bopowomen
- For an extra entry, share this post in your stories and make sure you tag me so I can see it!

Giveaway closes Monday 16th Dec at 11:59pm (AEDST). Open to Australian and international residents.

This giveaway is not endorsed by Instagram - good luck! 💜

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✨ 12 Days of Kindful Christmas ✨

11. Have yourself a very merry body shame free Christmas... 🎶

If you think you might be body shamed at your festive gathering, I highly recommend setting boundaries with those who are likely to make comments. If you are unsure what to say, you could try something like this... “I know you comment on my weight/body because you care about me or think that it’s helpful but it’s not and I need you to stop”

It’s important to be kind and compassionate to the person you are speaking to. In most cases, they truly believe that they are helping you rather than hurting you.

If the body shaming is happening to another guest and they aren’t confident enough to say something or aren’t in the room to defend themselves, speak up.

It’s also okay if you’re not feeling brave enough to stand up to someone who is body shaming either yourself or another person. Your other option is to simply walk away from the conversation - maybe they’ll get the hint that you’re not interested in the discussion topic. Your mental health is important and you have the right to leave when someone is making you uncomfortable.

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Just posting this cute photo of two fat babes living their best lives 🙌

How awesome is it to meet your #BodyPositive idols IRL?

When I saw @iamdaniadriana walk in to #TheWholeMe event last week, I was like FUCK, I have to speak in front of this absolute queen?! 🙀Turns out I needn’t worry because Dani is just as sweet, funny and amazing in person as she is on the ‘gram 😍

Also, if you’re not on it already, check out @body_reconnect_collective - new account for Dani and my other kickass friend Ash, the @bodyimage_therapist and the incredible work they are doing together.

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✨ 12 Days of Kindful Christmas ✨

12. Throw non-appearance related compliments around like confetti 🎉
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We’ve all been there... that cousin you haven’t seen since last Chrissy... “oh, you look GREAT, have you lost weight?”. Even complimenting a niece or other little person “you look so PRETTY in that dress”. These might seem like harmless comments but they reinforce the idea that our value lies within our appearance or what our bodies look like.

Lead by body positive example and start complimenting your family and friends on things that have nothing to do with their appearance.

Some examples you could use are:
- you are always so much fun to be around
- you can always make me laugh
- I really admire you
- I’m proud of you

You could even create DIY bonbons/Christmas crackers with non-appearance compliments for every guest.

Hit me with your fave non-appearance based compliments below 👇

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Today, our queen @lizzobeeating was announced as ‘Entertainer of the Year for both @time and @entertainmentweekly 👑🙌
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It’s so flippin’ great to see womxn doing incredible things in the music industry. It’s also bloody brilliant to see a proud, fat, black woman who is always unapologetically herself, kicking absolute ass!

I love Lizzo’s music but what I love most of all is her is radical self acceptance, her authenticity and courage to be herself while encouraging us all to love ourselves.

I still get teary thinking about her speech at Glastonbury this year.
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“I want you to know that I love you very much and I’m very proud of you. I want you to know if you can love me, you can love your god damn self... I want you to go home tonight and look in the mirror and say ‘I love you, you are beautiful and you can do anything’. I really want you to say that because I believe we can save the world if we save ourselves first. And you can all change the world”.
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Lizzo for President 2020 🍑

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This girl 👆 is an 80’s music head.

I was born far too late in life to enjoy such a wonderful decade of synth and new wave.

Tonight I’m seeing Lloyd Cole (from Lloyd Cole & The Commotions fame) at Hamer Hall (an amazing venue, how have I not been here before!)
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What are your fave 80s songs/bands? 👇

Also, thanks Cam for my early Christmas pressie!

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✨ NEW BLOG POST ✨

In the lead up to Christmas, I am sharing my top 9 tips to help you create a healthy relationship with food these holidays 🎄🍰
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Food plays a big role in the celebrations, which means it can possibly bring up feelings of guilt and shame for some us (eg. overindulging, eating ‘forbidden’ foods, feeling out of control around food). If this is the case, you may find yourself triggered to engage in dieting behaviours during or after the holiday period.

Head to the link in my bio to read the full post ❤️

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✨ Survive, thrive & don’t compare your body to your loved ones these holidays ✨

I’ve always felt like the odd one out in my family. Not just body shape but in most things. My younger sisters were ‘popular’ and I was pretty uncool. They were athletic and I was not. I got the boobs, they missed out (hey, sometimes they aren’t all they are cracked up to be!). Music, football teams, values, interests, taste in men, fashion - I don’t think there is much that we are similar in. Even looks-wise, I struggle to see the resemblance.

Even though they are younger than me, I’ve compared my body to theirs quite frequently over the years.

If only I looked like that in high school, maybe I would have fit in more...
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If only I was good at sport...
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If only I had their metabolism...
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How did they manage to get through life without an eating disorder and incredibly poor body image?

Do people judge me for being the ‘fat’ sister?

They are just a handful of questions I’ve asked myself on numerous occasions but what I’ve learned is that comparing my body to the bodies of my younger sisters is NOT HELPFUL in the slightest.

It’s Christmas time, it’s family get together time and it can be quite common to feel like we need to measure up or compare ourselves to our siblings or family members.

Comparison truly is the thief of joy, so if you find yourself comparing this holiday season, pause and take a moment. Be aware and be mindful of your thoughts and feelings in that moment. And if you’re able to, let the comparison go - with no judgement or story attached to it. You could do this by taking a few deep breaths and focusing on your breathing, bringing you back to the present moment. Or maybe you have some other go-to strategies you use - gratitude, self compassion, helpful distraction.
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If you need additional support and guidance this festive season, don’t forget I am offering limited 1:1 90-minute coaching sessions this month. Head to the link in my bio for more deets 🎄

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“My body is my home, I will fill it with love & plants” - illustration & words by Sam from @mossfolk_ 💕

I had the most incredible afternoon getting creative and connecting with a bunch of rad humans. It was just what I needed at this time of year, to chill, be mindful and get arty.

Sam is going to be hold loads of workshops next year and I highly encourage you to check out her page and keep updated on all the amazing things she will be hosting in 2020.