"Happy To Be Me," robertcrown.org, is sponsored by the Robert Crown Center for Health Education (robertcrown.org). Kathleen M. Burke, CEO of the RCC, and author Leslie Goldman (lesliegoldmanwrites.com), who's part of the event, came into our ABC7 studio to tell us about the event, as well as about another similar event in case you miss this one.
Research shows that as girls move through their pre-teen years, their self-esteem is reduced, and they begin to develop issues with their body image. These issues can lead to long-term health concerns.
Leslie Goldman's Tips for Improving Self-Image:
1. Create a Greatest Hits List.
Create a list of the successes you have achieved throughout your life.
At what moments have you felt especially proud of yourself?
When you tried out for the basketball team - even if you didn't make it?
When someone told you that you were kind?
Mom, was it when you gave birth?
Or landed a promotion at work?
Capturing your victories in a journal or blog or even just on a Post-It allows you to see the magnitude of your successes - and chances are, none of them will have to do with stepping on a scale or fitting into a certain size.
2. Do unto yourself as you would do unto others.
Have some compassion.
Treat yourself kindly.
When it comes to your body, try talking to yourself like you would to a loved one.
You wouldn't sit down with your daughter or mother and call them fat or weak for eating some pizza, would you?
You wouldn't tap your best friend on the shoulder and say, "Your hips look huge in those jeans." So why is it OK to say that to yourself?
3. Give a random woman a compliment every day.
Maybe you tell the Starbucks barista that you love her earrings.
Or you compliment the woman crossing the street next to you that her shirt is so cute.
I make a point of doing this, and the way women's eyes light up when they get a compliment from a female stranger is always wonderful, and it makes YOU, the compliment-giver, feel great, too.
"Happy to Be Me!"
Saturday, Feb. 2
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Drury Lane Conference Center
Oakbrook Terrace
Tickets: $50
