Margo Maine, the author of the wonderful book Body Wars has a list in her book that I thought I'd share here, as it may be helpful to someone out there.

"25 Ways To Love Your Body

As with most worthwhile pursuits, most people have to work hard to make peace with their bodies. Review this list of 25 Ways to Love Your Body. Spend at least five minutes on these every day yourself, as a couple, or with your family or a small group of friends. Share your reactions and experiences as you learn to love your body. Remember, this is a revolutionary act!

1. We are born in love with our bodies. Watch an infant sucking their fingers and toes, not worrying about their "body fat". Imagine being so in love with your body.

2. Think of your body as a tool. Create an inventory of all the things you can do with it. [amy- that I may add you are lucky to be able to do, because not everyone is as fortunate to have a healthy, capably functioning body]

3. Be aware of what your body does each day. It is the instrument of your life, not an ornament for others’ enjoyment.

4. Create a list of people you admire who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world. Was their appearance important to their success and accomplishment?

5. Consider your body a source of pleasure. Think of all the ways it makes you feel good.

6. Enjoy your body: stretch, dance, walk, sing, take a bubble bath, get a massage, have a pedicure.

7. Put signs on your mirrors like, "I’m beautiful inside and out."

8. Affirm that your body is perfect just the way it is. [amy - and if you don’t like the idea of it being perfect, then how about it being just right for you. I know mine isn’t perfect, and I appreciate that fact.]

9. Walk with your head high, with pride and confidence in yourself as a person, not a size.

10. Don’t let your size keep you from doing things you enjoy.

11. Remind yourself: your body is not a democracy- you’re the only one who gets a vote.

12. Count your blessings, not your blemishes.

13. Replace the time you spend criticizing your appearance with more positive, satisfying pursuits.

14. Did you know that your skin replaces itself once a month, your stomach lining every five days, liver every six weeks, your skeleton every three months! Your body is extraodinary-respect and appreciate it.

15. Be the experton on your body- challenge fashion magazines, cosmetics industry, or Metropolitan Weight Tables.

16. Let your inner beauty and individuality shine.

17. Be your body’s ally and advocate, not its enemy.

18. Every morning when you wake up, thank your body for resting and rejuvenating itself so you can enjoy the day.

19. Every evening before you go to bed, thank your body for what it has helped you do throughout the day. [amy - that you are hopefully nourishing it enough to let it do these things throughout the day]

20. Find a mehtod of exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly, not to lose weight, but to feel good. [amy - like bellydancing!]

21. Think back to a time in your life when you liked and enjoyed your body. Get in touch with those feelings now. [amy- this may be harder for some than others. for me, it sometimes seems almost impossible to remember a time when I liked my body when I was younger, but I promise you it’s there.]

22. Look at family photos. Find the beauty, love, and values in those bodies and faces. Hold those close to your heart.

23. If you only had one year to live, how important would your body image and appearance be?

24. Make a closet inventory. Do you wear clothes to hide your body or to follow fashion trends? Keep the clothes that give you feelings of pleasure, confidence, and comfort.

25. Beauty is not just skin-deep. It is a reflection of your whole self. Love and enjoy the person inside. "