Television is filled with reality shows that focus on losing weight or maintaining a "perfect" body- "The Biggest Loser" and "Dance Your A** Off" among others. The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30% of American adults are obese. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in New York City alone, $21 million is spent annual on hair coloring, $32.5 million on skin care, and $5.5 million on make-up.
With the cultural obsession with attaining that perfect body, it is no surprise that so many people are unhappy with their appearance. Author Sarah Maria, in this book, helps people to accept their body, make healthy changes, and find happiness in the body and life they have.
Negative Body Obsession- What is it?
Negative body obsession is the constant, deluded feeling that without the perfect body and face, a person cannot achieve happiness and cannot achieve their goals, even non-appearance related ones. (Note: NBO is NOT a disorder classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.) Traits that may indicate a person is convinced that their body is not up to the "standard" they've imposed upon it include: feelings of defeat when they don't fit into the clothes they feel they should, disgust and hate towards one's body, and compulsive comparison of their body with others bodies.
Ways to Change and Find Happiness
Sarah Maria spends the bulk of the book explaining exercises (mental ones, not physical ones) that one can do to help stop the negative cycle that makes so many people unhappy. With space dedicated in the book to writing out one's personal and specific goals and how to achieve them, this book sets a higher bar for all future self-help books.
Positive Benefits
The best feature of this book is that it works. Once a person has accepted themselves as they are, they can make concrete and achievable goals. There are more exercises devoted to finding an individual path to success. An end to the constant negative comments and self-loathing, happiness, and achievement of important goals are only some of the positive benefits provided to a person who reads this book and follows the advice and exercises contained within.
About the Author
Sarah Maria is founder of "Break Free Beauty," a company dedicated to helping people find ways to love their bodies and attain happiness in their life. Mz. Maria has trained with multiple self-help experts, and devotes her time to speaking and coaching others. In this, her first book, she has set the goal of helping countless individuals find happiness in their own way.
Love Your Body, Love Your Life
The title of the book, Love Your Body, Love Your Life, perfectly describes the contents contained within. With dedication and a desire to change, this book can help anyone step off the "treadmill" of self-loathing. It is for anyone who has ever looked at their reflection in the mirror and cringed. Despite the hundreds of self-help books in existence, this book distinguishes itself and is sure to become a success.
Maria, Sarah. (2009, Nov. 1). Love Your Body, Love Your Life. Adams Media, Avon, MA. ISBN: 9781605501536.
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