Jessica Weiner: "Walk Your Talk"

Bethanne Patrick, of AOL.com, interviews body image expert Jessica Weiner.

Bethanne Patrick: The things you are talking about: changing language, changing thoughts; these are things that mothers and teachers can use to help young girls and women develop healthy self-images. What are some of your tips for doing that with younger women?

Jessica Weiner: For every parent out there, every coach, every mentor, you've got to remember the number one rule is -- you have to 'walk your talk.' You have to model the behavior you wish to see in your children or your students. You have to be able to emulate what you are talking about, because that adds credibility. So many times I would hear, for instance, my mother say, 'It is not what matters on the outside. It matters what's on the inside.' Then I would look at her and she hated who she was on the inside.

Bethanne Patrick: And on the outside, maybe.

Jessica Weiner: On the outside too. I'm thinking, 'Well, wait a minute, if she is behaving like that, then why should I be any different.' So we really need to 'walk our talk.' Beyond that, we need to listen to girls differently than we have been. ... I am working with families who have 4 and 5-year-olds who want to go on a diet. That is learned behavior; that is a control issue...

This post really hits home for me since I am an elementary school teacher. It is so important to "walk the talk", as Jessica says. What good is it to discourage a young girl from criticizing her body when we are so harsh on our own? Kids are smart and they know when we are just paying lip service to positive body image. My mom spoke to me about a talk she recently heard from Gloria Steinem. Gloria said that when we speak about our bodies, we should picture a young girl listening. I don't have children of my own, but think about the kind of example I want to set for them when I do. I want them to have a mom who "walks her talk" and loves her own body, while encouraging her children to do the same.

WWJD-What Would Jess Do?

I'm extra excited to report that my blog has been featured on the home page of famous body image actionist, Jessica Weiner. Check out the homepage of her blog and the homepage of her website. She is a great role model and as cheesy as it sounds, when I'm feeling blue about my body I think about what she would do. I like that she takes care of herself and has let herself go.

She is an inspiring author and I hope you snag a couple of her books from our store.
Do I Look Fat in This?
A Very Hungry Girl
Life Doesn't Begin 5 Pounds From Now

Who Is Jessica Weiner?

Find out more about Jessica Weiner by reading her bio on her website.

What was life as a teen girl like for you?
I definitely struggled with low self-esteem and bad body image. I didn’t ever think I was pretty enough or thin enough and I let that rule my teen life. Even though I was a super over achiever and getting good grades and involved in school stuff - inside I was pretty depressed and withdrawn. I began dieting when I was 11 and fell into an eating disorder around 13. So I spent many years of my teen life really battling this tough mental health issue.

There’s really nothing you can’t do is there? Author, screenwriter, agony aunt, businesswoman - where did you get this go-for-it girl ‘tude from and more importantly, how do we get it?
Well, I think my ‘tude comes from my family and friends - they’ve always helped me to feel confident in exactly who I am! I also have survived a period in my early teens where I was the complete opposite of who I am now and so I am thrilled to be able to share that excitement and passion with others. And I think YOU guys can get this attitude by finding something you are super passionate about and going after it - whether it is body image, or the environment, or playing soccer - do something you love and it never feels like work - always fun!

You define the word “fat” as “F-A-T = Feelings. Actions. Thoughts.” What does this mean?
All women - no matter what their size - use the word fat. And clearly many of these women aren’t fat by clinical terms - so it had me go searching for more of a meaning when a woman uses this word to describe how she is feeling. So I broke it down into feelings-thoughts-actions. Because we are so scared of our feelings that sometimes we just lump them into one category of ‘bad’ like the word ‘fat. And when we have all of these negative feelings they become negative thoughts in our mind and those negative thoughts can become negative actions - like extreme dieting or eating disorders. So we have to be careful how we use our feelings, thoughts, and actions and remember that fat is not a feeling!

Interview from Pink World

Jessica Weiner Is The Boss Of Me

Jessica Weiner is my new favorite. She is featured on the Dove Website as a self-esteem columnist. You may also recognize her from the Tyra Banks Show. If you're interested in more of her books, please click on our store in the top left corner of this website. Thanks!