Embody - by Connie Sobczak (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book's message is rooted in the belief that people inherently possess the wisdom necessary to make healthy choices and live in balance. It emphasizes that self-love, acceptance of genetic diversity in body size, celebration of the unique beauty of every individual, and intuitive self-care are fundamental to achieving good physical and emotional health.

Embody guides readers step by step through five core competencies:
- Reclaim Health
- Practice Intuitive Self-Care
- Cultivate Self-Love
- Declare Your Own Authentic Beauty
- Build Community

Anyone can practice these fundamental skills on a daily basis to honor their innate wisdom and take good care of their whole selves, and research indicates that this work significantly improves people's ability to regulate eating, decreases depression and anxiety, and increases self-esteem.

Rather than receiving a prescriptive set of rules to follow, readers are guided through patient, mindful inquiry to find what works uniquely in their own lives to bring about -- and sustain -- positive self-care changes and a peaceful relationship with their bodies.

Review Quotes

"In Embody, Connie Sobczak brings her years of experience as co-founder and director of The Body Positive alive on every page. Her work offers practical, process-oriented, and gentle support in our journey to reclaim the wisdom and truth of our own bodies."
- Ruth Gendler, Author of Notes On the Need for Beauty

"This is a gorgeous book filled with the wondering, awe-filled voices of people who have found they can lovingly care for themselves in their diverse bodies and circumstances. Our world desperately needs to see this is possible--and Connie serves it up in a feast of triumph and celebration."
- Deb Burgard, PHD, FAED, Co-Founder of The Health At Every Size(R) Model

"Connie makes the quest for self love and acceptance deeply imaginable in a way that lifts the spirit and carries you to a place of hope and endless possibility."
- Linda Arbus, LCSW, Faculty of the Women's Therapy Centre Institute, New York

"Embody, touches the mind and heart as it demonstrates how to gain connection to our inner wisdom. Impressively insightful, an excellent resource!
- Lela Zaphiropoulos, LCSW, ACSW, Co-Author of Eating Problems

"Embody, is a powerful addition to the Health at Every Size(R) community. It brings to life what we know from scientific evidence: people of all sizes can live active and healthy lives--and love themselves, too!"
- Linda Bacon, PHD, Author of Health At Every Size

"Embody, belongs in every school, home, and place where the lives of our boys and girls matter!"
- Carol Bloom, LCSW, Co-Founder of the Women's Therapy Centre Institute, New York

"With Embody, , people of all ages can learn that self-love is the best motivation there is to care for their uniquely beautiful bodies. I am excited to share this wonderful resource with my clients."
- Carmen Cool, MA, LPC, Psychotherapist, Boulder, Co

"Embody, sparks a flame of self-love in your heart that glows brighter when you share it with others. It makes you want to stand up and say, 'I am beauty!'"
- Jessica Diaz, MSW, Founder of Love Guerrillas

"A beautiful, wise, practical book that will empower a next generation to shed our culture of toxic ideas of perfectionism and bodily dissatisfaction. This book, and the body positive movement, are part of a compassionate revolution leading young people to greater dignity and empowerment."
- Dacher Keltner, PHD, Founding Director, Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley

About the Author

Connie Sobczak is a mentor, writer, and award-winning video producer. Her experience with an eating disorder in her teen years and the death of her sister Stephanie inspired her life's work to create a world where all people are free to love their bodies.

In 1996, she and Elizabeth Scott, LCSW, co-founded The Body Positive, a nonprofit organization that teaches people to experience radical self-love, inhabit their unique beauty, and reconnect to the voice of wisdom within that offers freedom to live with purpose and passion.

Connie is a leader of the movement to prevent eating problems and improve the self-image of youth and adults through her videos, writing, workshops, and peer-led programs for students in middle school through college. Her video Discover Your Healthy Weight was a grand festival award winner in the 2009 Berkeley Video & Film Festival. She was a 2008 semi-finalist for a Volvo for Life award honoring "real-life heroes."

A California native, Connie currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner, Jim. Their daughter, Carmen, is her inspiration and her joy.