4 Steps To Improving Your Body Image

I hear all too often that women are critical of their body. This really takes a toll on our body image. We take our body for granted and really stop thinking about how amazing it is. Here are four simple ways to start feeling better about your amazing creation we call a body…..

1. Stop wearing clothes that don’t fit. So many women think they don’t deserve to buy  clothes until they lose weight. I know many women who keep clothes that don’t fit as a “reminder” that they need to lose weight. Do you really need one more thing to shame yourself into losing weight??? How has that been working so far? Wearing clothes that are too tight are a constant reminder of the shame you feel about your body. I can assure you that will not inspire you to change. It will just drive you further into the self-sabotage cycle. You will find yourself engaged in emotional eating and getting more depressed about the situation. Allow yourself to wear clothes that flatter you. I can understand not wanting to spend a lot of money if your goal is to lose weight, so look at stores like Deseret Industries, wear clothes that can be adjusted, have a neighborhood clothing exchange.
2. Stop comparing yourself to other people. We all have a different genetic blueprint. We need to honor that. The media has really done a number with us on this one! We all feel like we need to be a size 0 because that is what has been beaten into our heads by the media. The reality is that 99.9% of us can never be that thin. Our bone structure won’t allow for it. Even the “perfect” people are airbrushed. Start to accept your body where it is. That does not mean that you can’t have a weight loss goal. It just means that you aren’t going to beat yourself up every time you realize you don’t look like someone you think you “should” be. The word should is the key here. Anytime you “should” yourself, you are destined for shame and guilt.
3. Focus on function. We are so caught up in appearances. We really stop recognizing how amazing we are. Our bodies are an extremely complex machine. Think about how much coordination goes in to walking across the room to hug a loved one. Thousands of internal processes are at work just to make that simple movement. Start appreciating everything your body does for you! Rather than berating our cellulite, we need to focus on gratitude for legs that work to get us from one place to another.
4. Focus on what does make you feel confident. We do hundreds of great things every day. Why are you spending so much time focused on what your body looks like? Why does that define who you are? Spend time focusing on what makes you who you are as a person. Feel the strength that comes from your successes. Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can put on. Own who you are!

Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Weber State University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. She has been working in the mental health field since 2001.
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