The Secret Ingredient to Feeling Good in your Body | Marla Mervis-Hartmann | TEDxSalinas

When suffering to accept our bodies, we often overlook the key component that can help relieve body dissatisfaction. Marla Mervis-Hartmann shares the missing ingredient that not only creates a healthy relationship with our body, but will help us have a happier life.

“Do you Love Your Body?” As creator of Love Your Body Love Yourself, Marla Mervis-Hartmann assists women in finding a “YES!” to that question. After years of struggling with her own dysfunctional relationship with her body, including healing body dysmorphia, food obsession, and Binge Eating, Marla uses her experience to help women honor and appreciate their bodies.

Marla is a graduate of Kent State University and was a leading body image expert at Journey Malibu, a Drug/Alcohol rehabilitation center. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son and works full-time as a professional coach, speaker, facilitator and Living Light Reiki Master and Teacher.

[MindyZielfelderArt]

I saw how thin and gorgeous you looked and almost didn't watch. At over 200 pounds and not that pretty, it's hard to take advice from those that look like you. But I persisted and realized your message is exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[Makehimfamous]

I’m actually a guy that has suffered since I was in high school with body image issues since I was in high school. I a victim of abuse and I am also 5’3. Cannot get over being so short. There is almost no conversation about image issues as they relate to men. So this talk was very relatable to me. You really take what ever value you can for yourself and not judge the rest. As she said I’m learning to appreciate my body for what it can do, for the physical sensations of virility to can grant me, and for the value it bring to others ( manipulate my physical environment, give a massage, climb, run, etc.) I wish more women understood that men have the same issues as they do.

[elvienieeddy]

I'm crying so hard while watching this video... I've tried so hard to love my body to love myself

[Saavycupcake]

This was an amazing talk. I used to stand in the mirror and say bad things to me so I wouldn't eat. I just wanted to be lovely. Thank you for being so candid.

[danabrennan]

Thank you SO much....I've struggled with negative body image for 42 of my 50 years, and your approach is EXACTLY what I am consciously changing my mental image of myself with. I'm DONE dieting, I'm DONE looking at myself and saying such hurtful things to my reflection and I'm DONE not enjoying food and life because I am SO consumed with my body ! Nightly meditation is helping HUGE, so for anyone looking to take a step in the right direction, please start there. It is still a struggle, but at least it's not constant anymore.

[merituulia]

This is such a beautiful and healthy mentality towards food and living. We are here once, why deprive ourselves of pleasures of life when living a life to it's fullest, truly enjoying your food, relationships and being present, is usually the key to both health and happiness? Very well-spoken, one of my favorite talks I've heard!

[sarazaman]

I have lost about 15 kg in the past 2 years thinking that would help me grow my confidence and make me happy…little did I know that would just lead me to develop body dysmorphia and losing my period due to being underweight! Now I’m trying to heal my relationships with food and get my health back, please remember that health ALWAYS comes first before any silly and unachievable social standards of beauty that are constantly changing

[TheDouglasSeth]

Wow, I was watching Ted talks and saw this. Congratulations on your success Marla! We went to school together and remember Mr. Crytzer. :) It is wonderful to see you doing positive things and promoting positive ideas! All the best!

[melvayaredaguilar]

thank you for supporting others for talking about what you feel

[heerpatel]

idk why while watching this video i started crying . i've practically starved myself to loose weight . there were times i had 500 calories in 24 hours and i feel so ....bad i treated my body that way . i hugged myself today . i told myself its okay ... i told myself i am proud of who i am turning into .. i can't thank you enough

[robinsmith]

Great talk!! What we say to ourselves in our own head is SO important!

[maryferr]

😢that was me at 11 I went on a diet lost 54 lbs looked great but excessive exercising and ate very little down to 87lbs at 21 I'm now 63 years old a healthy weight. Still won't step on a scale at the Doctor's 😊 finding my spiritual journey 🙏 thank God

[josefthepichler]

This is hitting home for many. Reading some of the comments I am reminded that it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from - we have all been conditioned to some extent to feel like we have to strive for more or be better or whatever. Acceptance is key. Understanding from others will follow suit.

[novalesterson]

I know so many people who spend more time worrying about how they look - rather than how they feel about themselves. Time to listen to yourself, not others!

[steeveleibold]

I've been quite vocal over the years about how so many facets of life force us to compare ourselves or see ourselves in an unrealistic way. I appreciate Marla's voice on this topic as it's so true, everything she is saying is so spot on.

[milagroczarnecki]

I’ve never been overweight, but I have also had maybe only 1 or 2 times in my life when I was happy with my body. When I tried to express how much I disliked my body, people would tell me ‘You’re not too big’ or imply that looking like I did, did not warrant these feeling compared to their struggles with weight and body. So instead, I just never talked to anyone about it. I felt shame that I felt this way about my body when others had a better claim to those feelings, and also shame that I couldn’t get the body I wanted despite being ‘naturally small’. Society and social pressure attacks women from every angle and what we are left with is something unachievable.

[tdh]

Wow. Thank you for sharing this talk with us. It was sincere, genuine, and TRUE.

[pattymcnally]

Ms. Marla - you are a truly beautiful soul!! Patty

[liliamargret]

I can't believe the diary entries... she is and was gorgeous

[jay]

Hi, Marla from a (fellow-former) resident of that little town! I did a double take when I saw your name and YOU on the video!! Great talk - I thoroughly enjoyed it and you have always been a beautiful person - inside and out. Take care!