LOVE Yourself: Elizabeth Elias
I’m INSPIRED everyday by my community! And that’s where the idea came from for the LOVE Yourself movement. It was truly from the beautiful people that I was serving and hearing what their needs were daily. So with that being said, I wanted to announce a new blog series around this OH SO IMPORTANT topic on LOVE Yourself. I will be sharing various LOVE Yourself journeys from individuals that I want to highlight. However, I thought if I’m asking others to open up and share vulnerable insight on their lives I need to go first. So to kick off this series, I’m here to share my journey.
What does LOVE Yourself mean to you?
In my opinion to fully LOVE yourself, your outside image should reflect your inside. So often, we focus on our external appearance and neglect who we are at the core. It’s SO much easier to perfect our exterior (hair, skin, nails, clothes, husband, family, house, car, etc.-I can go on and on!!!). Often it feels like if we create this “perfect” image of ourselves then we will be “happy” and will feel loved. What happens when you achieve the “perfection” of your exterior, but have completely neglected your internal image? You might wake up one day and realize you’re miserable! You might wonder what is this life that you created!!! So in my opinion, to truly LOVE yourself you continuously develop and nurture yourself from the inside out.
2. Did you have a someone that exuded a positive body image for you growing up?
I had a really great strong family support system growing up. Both of my parents taught my brother and I how to eat healthy and exercise so we could maintain a healthy lifestyle. It was from their struggles with diet/weight that I learned that you have to consistently work on your health regime and the results are a STRONG mindset that allows you to have a positive body image.
3. Do you tear your body apart vocally?
Honestly, I don’t remember ever really vocalizing any insecurities I had around my body but I tend to forget a lot of things ☺ However, I will say that when I was pregnant with my daughter I really honed in on building a positive self-esteem in children and especially daughters. I was trying to collect as much data and real life experience on how people created such CONFIDENCE in their daughters. Now I realize that positive body image isn’t the only factor in creating confidence, but it can be a dominating factor. So since I’ve been focused on positive body image and especially since I launched the LOVE Yourself movement, I’ve been extremely tuned in to my words and how much they matter. Especially for those little ears ☺
4. Are you working to improve your mindset around body image or is it a neutral
mindset for you?
No matter where you are in your journey, I think we can always improve ourselves. Honestly, I don’t think it’s 100% neutral of a mindset for me on body image, but I do think I’m at a good spot.
5. Do you have anyone that you are trying to set a healthy example for?
Yes, definitely!!! My children for sure. However, I’m constantly coaching my clients and I love this part of my job!!! I love to encourage them and make a POSITIVE impact on their lives. And how can I do that if I’m not leading with positive body lifestyle myself?