How to Stop Comparing Your Body to Other Women’s — And Actually Mean It
91% of women hate their bodies according to the film Embrace. And while body image movements do important work, lasting change requires something more — actual skills and tools to break the comparison habit. Here’s where to start.
Why Self-Help Can Make Your Relationship With Your Body Worse
I’ve explored virtually every psychological, spiritual, and self-help approach to healing. And I’ve fallen into every trap each one hides. Here’s the one that’s most dangerous — and what the road to actual peace looks like instead.
The Real Price of Happiness (It’s Not What the Self-Help World Tells You)
I was 45 minutes into a 90-minute commute for 12 miles when something unexpected washed over me — a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. That moment taught me something about happiness that none of the self-help work, therapy, or pillow-beating had managed to. Here’s what it was.
You Will Never Get “A Body Like Hers” — And That’s Actually Good News
Meghan Trainor pulled her music video because her waist had been retouched without permission. Everyone’s fighting about Photoshop again. But here’s what we’re missing while that argument keeps us distracted — and the one sentence from Shape Magazine’s own editors that says everything.
Why Shame Never Works — And What Actually Does
Company executives keep calling me to help shame their employees into participating in wellness programs. And I keep gently telling them the same thing — shame doesn’t work. Here’s what Rotary’s Four-Way Test taught me about motivation, accountability, and why positive reinforcement is the only approach that actually sticks.
Why Photoshop Isn’t Actually the Problem
My graphic designer Photoshopped one of my images — just barely. And honestly it looked great. As the Happy Calories Girl I asked him to change it back. But here’s the thing — Photoshop isn’t actually the problem. Here’s the more empowering perspective that changes everything about how we see media images.
The Most Important Relationship You’re Ignoring — And How It Affects Your Body
Whether you know it or not you are in a relationship with your body. The only question is what kind. Do you ignore it? Abuse it? Fight it? Here’s why the relationship with your body is the most important one you have — and what your Valentine can teach you about it.
Why Counting Points Is Just Counting Calories in Disguise
Oprah told us weight loss isn’t just about calories in and exercise out — it’s about the emotional and personal stuff too. And then she told us to count points and turn it into a game. Does anyone else see the contradiction? Here’s what Oprah and Weight Watchers are still missing.
Why Your Beliefs About Weight Loss Are Sabotaging Your Values
Year after year, losing weight tops both the New Year’s resolution list and the broken resolution list. Here’s a theory about why — and it has nothing to do with willpower. It’s about a hidden conflict between what you believe about weight loss and what you actually value in life.
Why Accepting That Life Sometimes Sucks Is the Secret to Food Freedom
I’ve been bingeing The Vampire Diaries — and before you judge me, hear me out. A conversation between two immortal vampires accidentally said everything I’ve ever wanted to say about why fighting “what is” only creates more pain. Including with your body.