The people around you make all the difference! An invitation in this New Year.
When it comes to healing from diet culture and negative body image, the people around you make all the difference.
I just got back to Maui after visiting family in Pittsburgh. While there, I caught the flu and came home five pounds lighter than when I left. For someone who’s already thin, those five pounds are noticeable.
When I walked through the door, my husband’s reaction wasn’t what you might expect in a diet-culture-obsessed world. Instead of praising the weight loss or calling me sexy, he said, “Whoa, holy man, gotta put some meat on those bones.”
The next day? He kept checking in: “Are you eating enough protein? Are you skipping meals?” He wanted to make sure I was nourishing myself.
I know my weight will normalize once I feel better and my appetite returns. I trust my body to do its thing. And I’m so grateful to have a partner who values me—not the size of my body.
It struck me how different this could’ve felt if his response had been the opposite—if he had praised how I looked or subtly encouraged me to stay thinner. That kind of feedback would’ve gotten into my head, making me question whether I should keep that weight off, even if it wasn’t healthy.
This is why who you surround yourself with matters. Are the people in your life focused on shrinking themselves, weight loss, and eating less? Or are they reminding you to take care of yourself, listen to your body, and stay grounded in your worth?
If you’re ready for a community that uplifts and inspires, I’d love for you to join the BE-Friend Yourself Book Club,
starting Wednesday, February 19th.
Here’s what you can expect:
Weekly Zoom discussions – connect with a like-minded group to reflect and share
Journaling prompts – dive deeper into the book’s themes each week
Replays available – so you never miss a session
A community focused on healing and self-love
The cost is $333, but if you register by February 1, you’ll get the early bird price of $275.
We’ll meet weekly for six weeks, diving into BE-Friend Yourself together, one chapter at a time, in a space filled with compassion and curiosity.
This is your chance to surround yourself with people who truly “get it” and are on the same journey as you.
Spots are limited, so if this speaks to you, don’t wait!
Click Here to Join the Book Club
Let me know if you have questions—I’m here to help!
Let’s do this!
Warmly,
Marla
P.S. Happy New Year to you. My intention is to support your journey to more freedom and love in 2025.
