You see, many of us are not completely satisfied with our bodies either because our health is poor or we aren't in "love" with our physical bodies anymore. If this sounds like you, ponder these thoughts:

• Whether we're gaining weight because of an illness or a condition like menopause (or maybe we don't know what's the issue), we all may gain weight after a certain age. That's because as the body changes, so does the metabolism. When I got so terribly sick in 1990, I promptly gained 50 lbs! Of course, I pretty well knew the major factors why: lying in bed 23 hours a day, eating whatever I could get my hands on because I didn't feel like fixing a meal, and getting no exercise (unless you count fighting with the pillows that propped up my aching legs or venturing 8 feet from the bed to go to the bathroom.) Yes, I contributed to the problem of weight gain, but my body (particularly my Endocrine system and Immune Sytem) let me down. Sometimes that happens in an illness and you just have to do the best you can to get by until you're feeling better. Then you can really tackle an issue like "weight."

• When you're suffering with a condition like menopause, know that your hormones are changing (possibly fluctuating wildly!) and your whole body is in a period of adjustment. If you don't want to gain weight while eating the same food, the same diet, experts say to increase your activity level or eat less. I say, "eat better." That is my new motto. Better quality food that is better for me. Whole foods, organic food when I can, less processed yucky stuff and cutting out the junk food (for the most part). None of us can be perfect and we shouldn't try. But eating well... we can do that.

• The last item came from a dear friend of mine today. She said that I had to really want to be thinner. I almost took that as an afront until I considered the still small voice that was crying this special truth from my heart. I realized that a part of me, my self image, still had a bit of healing to do. I needed to "want" to be smaller. (New conviction: I won't pay a "diet" lip service anymore. I'm talking about a life style change.) I need (present tense) to see myself as a smaller, healthier person.

At that moment I realized that I must begin living my life that way as my truth. And sure enough, I feel better already. This was what I had to hear. I believe it will make a big difference for me and I bet it can for you, too.

Yes, folks a new day can dawn for all of us and our weight. We must heal from the inside out, no matter what our problem. Let me encourage you to make your journey not just a physical one, but one of mind and spirit, too. You'll feel better and your body won't be the enemy anymore!

Thanks and don't forget to blog right here!

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show