As we're thrust into uncertain times, we need to see the presence of God in our crazy world, now more than ever! Today I talk to author Abby McDonald. Her brand new book titled, "Shift" is about just that - Changing our focus to see the presence of God! Abby and I talk about dealing with the uncertainty we're living in now thanks to COVID19, and how to take courage in God's truth. We also talk about her struggle with body image after babies and how having a daughter helped her see things differently.

Connect with Abby.

Get Abby's book on Amazon (delayed) or  direct from the publisher (faster and cheaper!)!

Support Compared to Who?

Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz

As we're thrust into uncertain times, we need to see the presence of God in our crazy world, now more than ever! Today I talk to author Abby McDonald. Her brand new book titled, "Shift" is about just that - Changing our focus to see the presence of God! Abby and I talk about dealing with the uncertainty we're living in now thanks to COVID19, and how to take courage in God's truth. We also talk about her struggle with body image after babies and how having a daughter helped her see things differently. <a href="https://abbymcdonald.org">Connect with Abby.</a> Get Abby's book on <a href="https://amzn.to/33GwupA">Amazon (delayed)</a> or <a href="https://store.acupressbooks.com/products/shift?_pos=1&_sid=98263fc5a&_ss=r"> direct from the publisher (faster and cheaper!)!</a> <a href="https://www.pateron.com/comparedtowho">Support Compared to Who?</a> <a href="https://www.comparedtowho.me/follow">Take the Body Image Awareness Quiz</a>

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!

Are you a Christian woman who’s tired of measuring yourself by the world’s standards? Have you tried to “fix yourself” with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clichés—but still feel like you’re falling short?Do you know the truth of God’s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?

Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret’s safe here.)

If you answered yes, then Compared to Who? is the show for you!

Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face—comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more—through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You’ll find encouragement to trust God’s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.

I’m Heather Creekmore—best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.

Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck—and start living free in Jesus.

Find out more about me and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!
Are you a Christian woman who&rsquo;s tired of measuring yourself by the world&rsquo;s standards? Have you tried to &ldquo;fix yourself&rdquo; with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clich&eacute;s&mdash;but still feel like you&rsquo;re falling short?Do you know the truth of God&rsquo;s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?
Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret&rsquo;s safe here.)
If you answered yes, then&nbsp;Compared to Who?&nbsp;is the show for you!
Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face&mdash;comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more&mdash;through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You&rsquo;ll find encouragement to trust God&rsquo;s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.
I&rsquo;m Heather Creekmore&mdash;best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.
Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck&mdash;and start living free in Jesus.
Find out more about me and the ministry of&nbsp;Compared to Who?&nbsp;at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.improvebodyimage.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758629449501000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0CbbfkEG9w0k4Z9QBqp5C5">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758629449501000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08LV1DuGuu8Nv6oa8m3RKp">https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024</a>

Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Changing Focus to See Presence of God: Abby McDonald Interview

Have you ever noticed how your Apple Watch pushes you to “close your rings” no matter what kind of day you’re having? It’s always about hitting the goal, finishing the task, and sometimes leaving no room for hard days, stress, or life’s natural fluctuations. Now, compare that to the Oura Ring, which considers your context—how much sleep you got, your stress levels, and even suggests you prioritize rest on tougher days.

Heather Creekmore unpacks how we often treat ourselves like the Apple Watch: driven by rigid self-imposed goals, little room for compassion, and a tendency toward self-condemnation. But what if we learned to treat ourselves more like the Oura Ring suggests—meeting ourselves with curiosity, grace, and wisdom, adjusting our expectations based on the real demands and needs of our current season?

(Never heard of an Oura ring? Learn more about this wearable tech here.)

Key Takeaways


Apple Watch Mindset: Rigid, goal-oriented, and often uncompassionate to your context.


"Did you do enough? Did you close the ring? No nuance, no compassion."


Oura Ring Mindset: Flexible, understanding, and grace-filled, adjusting expectations based on your needs.


"Prioritize rest today. Choose recovery. No pressure to hit goals when your body needs rest."


God’s Model of Grace: God knows your challenges, your grief, your exhaustion. He offers relationship, not a scoreboard.


"God doesn’t demand summer fruit in the middle of winter."


Stewardship over Shame: True body stewardship is about wisdom and listening, not punishment or fear.


Application Questions: Are your habits more about accusation or invitation? Is your wellness rooted in fear, or joyful stewardship? 

Reflect and Apply

If you struggle with self-condemnation, perfectionism, or feeling like you have to constantly “close the rings” of your life, consider:


Adopting a mindset of grace over rigid self-judgment—and being more like an Oura Ring to yourself


Listening to your body and spirit, honoring seasons of rest as much as seasons of work


Asking, “What does loving stewardship look like for me today—given THIS body, THIS energy, and THIS season?”

Remember: Your worth is not determined by a closed ring or a perfect scoreboard, but by the loving Creator who knows every detail of your life.

Share the Grace!

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who could use some grace today. Be encouraged to stop comparing and start living!

For more encouragement and resources on body image and godly self-care, visit improvebodyimage.com. Don’t forget to leave a five-star review and help others discover a podcast that’s all about finding freedom from self-condemnation!

Have you ever noticed how your Apple Watch pushes you to &ldquo;close your rings&rdquo; no matter what kind of day you&rsquo;re having? It&rsquo;s always about hitting the goal, finishing the task, and sometimes leaving no room for hard days, stress, or life&rsquo;s natural fluctuations. Now, compare that to the Oura Ring, which considers your context&mdash;how much sleep you got, your stress levels, and even suggests you prioritize rest on tougher days.
Heather Creekmore unpacks how we often treat ourselves like the Apple Watch: driven by rigid self-imposed goals, little room for compassion, and a tendency toward self-condemnation. But what if we learned to treat ourselves more like the Oura Ring suggests&mdash;meeting ourselves with curiosity, grace, and wisdom, adjusting our expectations based on the real demands and needs of our current season?
(Never heard of an Oura ring? <a href="https://amzn.to/4n1Nuza">Learn more about this wearable tech here.)</a>
Key Takeaways
<ul>
<li>
Apple Watch Mindset: Rigid, goal-oriented, and often uncompassionate to your context.
<ul>
<li>
"Did you do enough? Did you close the ring? No nuance, no compassion."
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Oura Ring Mindset: Flexible, understanding, and grace-filled, adjusting expectations based on your needs.
<ul>
<li>
"Prioritize rest today. Choose recovery. No pressure to hit goals when your body needs rest."
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
God&rsquo;s Model of Grace: God knows your challenges, your grief, your exhaustion. He offers relationship, not a scoreboard.
<ul>
<li>
"God doesn&rsquo;t demand summer fruit in the middle of winter."
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Stewardship over Shame: True body stewardship is about wisdom and listening, not punishment or fear.
</li>
<li>
Application Questions: Are your habits more about accusation or invitation? Is your wellness rooted in fear, or joyful stewardship?&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Reflect and Apply
If you struggle with self-condemnation, perfectionism, or feeling like you have to constantly &ldquo;close the rings&rdquo; of your life, consider:
<ul>
<li>
Adopting a mindset of grace over rigid self-judgment&mdash;and being more like an Oura Ring to yourself
</li>
<li>
Listening to your body and spirit, honoring seasons of rest as much as seasons of work
</li>
<li>
Asking, &ldquo;What does loving stewardship look like for me today&mdash;given THIS body, THIS energy, and THIS season?&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
Remember: Your worth is not determined by a closed ring or a perfect scoreboard, but by the loving Creator who knows every detail of your life.
Share the Grace!
Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who could use some grace today. Be encouraged to stop comparing and start living!
<hr>
For more encouragement and resources on body image and godly self-care, visit <a href="https://improvebodyimage.com/">improvebodyimage.com</a>. Don&rsquo;t forget to leave a five-star review and help others discover a podcast that&rsquo;s all about finding freedom from self-condemnation!

Is Your Self Talk Like an Apple Watch or Oura Ring? God’s Grace vs. Self-Condemnation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/46a00c80-49b5-40da-aa27-b43b012c3c5e/transcript

Why do we want our clothes to be forgiving? In this thought-provoking episode, Heather Creekmore unpacks the deeper meaning behind the fashion world’s favorite words—like "forgiving" and "flattering"—and explores why so many of us feel pressure to make our bodies fit a narrow standard. Do our clothes really have the power to absolve us, or is there something bigger at play?

Join Heather Creekmore as she examines the surprising links between fashion lingo, theology, and our sense of self-worth. How does the language we use about our bodies sneak shame and judgment into our closets? What does it mean to break free from the idea of having "problem areas," and where can we look for true acceptance?

Whether you struggle with body image or have ever hesitated in the dressing room mirror, this episode will challenge what you believe about your body, your clothes, and what it truly means to be "good enough."

Tune in for powerful questions, real-life stories, and a fresh perspective that might change the way you get dressed tomorrow. Don’t miss it!

Ready to transform the way you think about food and your body? Join us for the next 40-Day Journey starting June 3rd. Learn more here. 

Why do we want our clothes to be forgiving? In this thought-provoking episode, Heather Creekmore unpacks the deeper meaning behind the fashion world&rsquo;s favorite words&mdash;like "forgiving" and "flattering"&mdash;and explores why so many of us feel pressure to make our bodies fit a narrow standard. Do our clothes really have the power to absolve us, or is there something bigger at play?
Join Heather Creekmore as she examines the surprising links between fashion lingo, theology, and our sense of self-worth. How does the language we use about our bodies sneak shame and judgment into our closets? What does it mean to break free from the idea of having "problem areas," and where can we look for true acceptance?
Whether you struggle with body image or have ever hesitated in the dressing room mirror, this episode will challenge what you believe about your body, your clothes, and what it truly means to be "good enough."
Tune in for powerful questions, real-life stories, and a fresh perspective that might change the way you get dressed tomorrow. Don&rsquo;t miss it!
Ready to transform the way you think about food and your body? <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge">Join us for the next 40-Day Journey starting June 3rd. Learn more here.&nbsp;</a>

Forgiving Clothes? The Gospel of Good Bodies and Combatting Body Shame by Exposing a Misuse of Religious Language

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/c8e2f66b-32d9-4fa8-91e1-b43b012c355d/transcript

Are you curious about how diet programs sneak religious language into their sales pitch? Ever wondered why joining a weight loss plan at church can feel surprisingly similar to joining a church itself? On today’s episode, Heather Creekmore continues her powerful series, "The Gospel of Good Bodies," and exposes the insidious ways that popular diet programs like Optavia and the old Weigh Down Workshop blur the line between faith and food.

Heather Creekmore digs deep into:


How diet culture borrows the architecture of salvation: Learn how programs diagnose a “fallen state,” promise transformation, offer coaching “saviors,” and tout communities that eerily resemble church groups.


Shocking religious-sounding language from Optavia: Hear actual letters written to "brothers and sisters in Christ," urging members to “kick sugar in the face” as if it’s a spiritual battle; one equal to a believer's battle with pride!


The tragic path of Weigh Down Workshop: How Gwen Shamblin’s transformative biblical dieting program morphed into a bona fide cult—with spiritual harm to match.


Dangers of mixing body goals with spiritual worth: Why these messages distract from the true gospel and what Scripture actually says about food and the body.


A word of hope if you feel trapped by religious diet culture: Heather Creekmore encourages you—there’s a better, grace-filled way to see your body through Jesus.

If you’ve ever joined a diet program because “a Christian was leading it,” or if you just want to protect your faith from diet hype, you can’t miss this episode!

Love this episode?

Check out other deep-dives with Heather Creekmore into:


The Biggest Loser and its impact on our view of salvation


Past episodes about what the Bible actually says about food and dieting


The Weigh Down Workshop documentaries on Netflix and HBO Max


Plus, Heather Creekmore references insightful books like David Zahl's Seculosity.
Check out Heather's 40-Day Body Image Workbook or join us on the 40-Day Journey.

Let’s uncover the truth—together. Press play now!

Subscribe & Share:
If this episode helps you, share it with a friend and check out our other episodes on faith, body image, and the gospel of good bodies. 

Next up: Why do we expect our clothes to forgive us? Don’t miss the next thought-provoking discussion!

Are you curious about how diet programs sneak religious language into their sales pitch? Ever wondered why joining a weight loss plan at church can feel surprisingly similar to joining a church itself? On today&rsquo;s episode, Heather Creekmore continues her powerful series, "The Gospel of Good Bodies," and exposes the insidious ways that popular diet programs like Optavia and the old Weigh Down Workshop blur the line between faith and food.
Heather Creekmore digs deep into:
<ul>
<li>
How diet culture borrows the architecture of salvation: Learn how programs diagnose a &ldquo;fallen state,&rdquo; promise transformation, offer coaching &ldquo;saviors,&rdquo; and tout communities that eerily resemble church groups.
</li>
<li>
Shocking religious-sounding language from Optavia: Hear actual letters written to "brothers and sisters in Christ," urging members to &ldquo;kick sugar in the face&rdquo; as if it&rsquo;s a spiritual battle; one equal to a believer's battle with pride!
</li>
<li>
The tragic path of Weigh Down Workshop: How Gwen Shamblin&rsquo;s transformative biblical dieting program morphed into a bona fide cult&mdash;with spiritual harm to match.
</li>
<li>
Dangers of mixing body goals with spiritual worth: Why these messages distract from the true gospel and what Scripture actually says about food and the body.
</li>
<li>
A word of hope if you feel trapped by religious diet culture: Heather Creekmore encourages you&mdash;there&rsquo;s a better, grace-filled way to see your body through Jesus.
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;ve ever joined a diet program because &ldquo;a Christian was leading it,&rdquo; or if you just want to protect your faith from diet hype, you can&rsquo;t miss this episode!
Love this episode?
Check out other deep-dives with Heather Creekmore into:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/4-ways-the-biggest-loser-hurt-us-a-christians-perspective-on-fit-for-tv">The Biggest Loser and its impact on our view of salvation</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/colossians-2-does-the-new-testament-endorse-food-r">Past episodes about what the Bible actually says about food and dieting</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin">The Weigh Down Workshop documentaries on Netflix and HBO Max</a>
</li>
<li>
Plus, Heather Creekmore references insightful books like <a href="https://amzn.to/4tJo100">David Zahl's Seculosity.</a>
</li>
<li>Check out Heather's <a href="https://amzn.to/4tOwb7u">40-Day Body Image Workbook </a>or join us on the <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge">40-Day Journey.</a></li>
</ul>
Let&rsquo;s uncover the truth&mdash;together. Press play now!
Subscribe &amp; Share: If this episode helps you, share it with a friend and check out our other episodes on faith, body image, and the gospel of good bodies.&nbsp;
Next up: Why do we expect our clothes to forgive us? Don&rsquo;t miss the next thought-provoking discussion!

Is Your Food Plan a Religion? How Optavia & Weigh Down Workshop Promote the Religion of Worshipping Good Bodies

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/6c58bce4-0897-4f39-8a85-b43b012c2d1a/transcript

Changing Focus to See Presence of God: Abby McDonald Interview

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