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I would argue that how we view ourselves is the most important. Because at the end of the day, the self-talk happening in your head as the power to shift your entire perception of life.
Body image refers to how an individual sees their own body, it’s your own perception of your body, what you believe about your appearance, how you feel about your body, how you move your body. The mental picture we have of our bodies is often held up against an image of what we think we should look like. The perception of your body can however be influenced by others.
What we think, hate, loathe and wonder about the acceptability of our bodies reaches much further and impacts far more than our appearance. The long reach of body shame can impact who and how we love, work, parent, communicate and build relationships. - Brene Brown
A person with a positive body image has a true and clear perception of their body shape and appearance. They accept the way that they look and feel good in their body.
Ponder this - is self-acceptance conditional or unconditional?
I know I have definitely played the game “I’ll accept myself when… I’ll love myself when.. I’ll be happy when...”
But this issue is even when I lost the weight, got the boyfriend, completed the marathon… I still did not accept myself. There was always another when...
So how can you overcome a negative body image right now?
Stop labelling food as "good" or "bad". Food is food, a source of energy for your body. Listen to your body, your hunger and fullness cues and how food makes you feel. Focus on your health instead of your weight.
Take some time to get to know your body. Think about all the things it does for you every day like moving, breathing, turning food into energy. Look at your body and focus on the things that you do like. Write them down and keep the list in a place where you can read it often.
Stop the comparison game. Comparing yourself to others isn't helping anyone, especially you. Get curious about why you are comparing yourself to others and how that really makes you feel.
Remember that your genetics play a big part in how you look. Instead of trying to change the parts of your body that are part of your genetic make up, can you change your view towards them?
Bring awareness to the things you do on a daily basis that may increase your dislike of your body, such as pinching fat, weighing yourself, or making jokes at your body's expense. Can you make it a goal to reduce the number of times you do these?
Beauty is ENTIRELY based on perception. It truly is how you feel about yourself. Can you start to view yourself how you want others to see you?
Spend more time with positive and supportive people who like you for you who you are, not what you look like.
Challenge your negative self-talk. It can be helpful to write down affirmations that make you feel good and practice working with them every day.
Wear clothes that make you feel good and that are comfortable for your body. The size doesn’t matter if you feel good in it.
Filter your media. You are in control of the media you consume, is your social media, TV or magazines making you feel bad about yourself? Many models are airbrushed, or photoshopped to look the way they do. It's okay to unfollow pages and friends that make you feel unhappy with your body.
Show your body some appreciation! Let your body know you appreciate it by getting a massage, having a bubble bath, having a dance party, moving it in a way that makes it feel good, meditating or just do what makes you feel good in your body!
Ready to shift your body image? Join the Body Image Breakthrough for FREE!
What to do next...
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