The journey toward better weight and health is difficult, and it comes with a lot of personal challenges as well as physical ones. In the midst of all the change our bodies may experience, it’s easy for our body image to be affected. Whether you’re just beginning your weight management journey or you’ve been on it for a while, developing and maintaining a healthy, positive body image is important!
What is body image?
A person’s body image is how he or she thinks of their self when they look in the mirror. It is the overall perception of one’s body, and it plays a huge role in our self-confidence.
Why is it important?
The way we see and think of our bodies affects all aspects of our lives – weather we realize it or not! Positive body image and self-confidence play a big role in our relationships, our work environments and the everyday activities we take part in such as exercising or going out with friends.
When you see yourself positively and feel good in the body you’re in, it shows! It improves our interaction with other people and allows for us to reach new goals. Think about it this way: When you feel inferior in other parts of your life such as your job or favorite activity, it influences your performance. Body image works the same way!
When we stop to think about our bodies, it’s easy to compare our differences to other people. By doing so, we fail to recognize the strengths and characteristics of our bodies that we should be proud of, and we can no longer care for them in the way that they need. As a result, we can’t fully embrace and experience the journey toward better health.
Tips for a Healthy Body Image
Fortunately, a healthy body image is something we can have if we take the time to treat ourselves well and embrace what makes us unique! Here are some quick tips for keeping positive about our bodies:
- Replace any negative thoughts with positive ones – it’s just reverse psychology!
- Wear clothes that fit you and that you feel comfortable in – you don’t have to follow the latest “trends” if that’s not what you’re into. Wear clothes that flatter you and make you feel good!
- List all the things you love or appreciate about your body and repeat them daily.
- Don’t compare yourself to someone else, and don’t let media images influence the way you see your body. For information on how media affects our self-perception, click here.
- Take new pictures of yourself and put away the old ones.
- Take note of all the impressive things your body is doing – If you lose weight, notice how your body changes and appreciate the way it changes to fit you. You should be proud! For tips on measuring success with your body in more ways than just the scale, click here.
- Surround yourself with positive people who give off good energy, encourage and uplift you.
- Be kind to your mind and body! Get a massage, buy some new clothes, take warm baths and do more of what makes you happy – the rest will fall into place.
Remember, your body is amazing! You live in it, and you should take care of it physically and mentally. A positive body image gives you self-confidence, and self-confidence gives you power!
