It is so easy to be hard on ourselves and pick out all the parts that we hate about our bodies.
In fact, I’m sure, it would be a challenge to find a person who is completely happy with his or her body. However, positive body image does not mean that you think you’re perfect. More so, it’s about appreciating and accepting the way you are.
It’s common to get trapped in that ‘perfect body image’ frame. Especially during these times of social media that we consume so much every day. Seeing those perfect bodies, beautiful pictures and perfect lives, makes it challenging to not be discouraged of how we look, live and eat.
However, it is so important to understand that we are so much more than how we look. If you want to shift the way you think about your body- read on to find out how to develop a more positive body image.
Perfection does not exist
You probably already know that nobody is perfect, so why would you want to be that ONE person who is?
Think about it, why would you want to focus so much of your energy on something that is not even possible? It’s NOT worth it!
So next time when you think that your belly is too fluffy, your legs are too short or your head is too big!? – change these thoughts with accepting the way you are and focusing on the parts that you do like about yourself.
I also want to mention that accepting how you look and who you are, do not mean that the job is done there. Of course, almost all of us have body goals that we would like to achieve.
So after the first step– accepting yourself- is done, then we can move on to the next one- mindfully putting efforts towards our goal.
If you want to lose some body fat- improve your nutrition and exercise a bit more. If you want to tone your arms- pick up those weights and do some work.
Just don’t forget to do it from love.
Forget the hate
Everything that comes from hate is not beneficial for you. So if you want to change anything about your body because you hate how you look- scratch that mindset!
Instead- think like this: ‘I love myself and my body and I want the BEST for it. I want to feel great, be strong, fit and healthy. So I gonna do something that will help me feel that way. Whether it is incorporating more healthy foods and refusing a few unhealthy ones. Or start exercising more or differently than I am now.’
Whatever it is, just do it from love and forget the hate.
Self-love should come before anything else. When it is a priority, it becomes so much easier to take care of yourself, put good things in your body, help it thrive and develop a positive body image.
When you hate how you look, you’ll never be satisfied with any results that you achieve. It will never be good enough because you don’t appreciate how far you’ve come already and don’t give yourself enough credit.
So cherish your body and speak love to it instead of giving hate and unappreciation.
Change comparison to inspiration
Another step towards shifting the way you see your body is to stop comparing yourself to someone else’s body. You might think he or she has the most beautiful body but that person probably has many insecurities as well. In fact, it might be that someone is wishing to have a body like yours.
If we will constantly compare each other, we’ll never be satisfied and content with ourselves.
Instead- celebrate other bodies and see it as inspiration to take care of yourself more: start working out, eat healthier, mix up your routine, have more structure, ask some help.
What helped me to stop comparing myself to others was unfollowing some accounts on social media that did not make me feel good about myself.
Yes, some accounts are inspiring and motivating, but some of them were just purely showing off which did not do any good for me. So click that unfollow button if someone makes you feel bad about yourself and change it up with more positive and inspiring people.
Develop a positive body image
I remember myself some time ago, striving to look the best I can, however, I was never satisfied. I remember checking my stomach every morning straight after I get up from the bed. Just an automatic check to see if something has changed overnight. Yess very smart..
Even if I looked good, it was still not good enough for me. In fact, I always thought that I could look better but never really appreciated what I achieved so far.
I was so focused on the ‘perfect body’ image without even realising it.
One of the biggest factors that helped me to create a more positive body image for myself was just letting it go. I just got tired to be concerned about how I look every day.
Isn’t it exhausting to tear yourself apart so often, look at the mirror and be so pessimistic about what you see? Let go the exceeded expectations of yourself and focus on improving yourself over time, instead of wishing a completely different body.
We always want what we don’t have. Especially the appearance-wise. We can be so critical about our bodies, and talk so bad about it. So even if we reach that physique goal that we had in mind, it doesn’t make us as happy as we thought it would.
‘Too much fat here, my legs are too big, my arms are too fat’, and many more negative things we can name about ourselves. But what if we focus on what we DO like about ourselves? Try to notice that and put in on top of the list.
How much different would you feel if you knew that you are beautiful and good enough? I bet much MUCH better. So take my advice, and start seeing yourself in a positive way. Even though you don’t feel like it, still send the love to your body and eventually, you’ll see how your mindset will change about it..
Practice Self-Love
Self- love is the most important and it’s essential to understand it. Appreciate your health first and the looks second. Think about what your body does for you which is much more than ‘makes you look good’.
Don’t bring yourself down by picking every single part that you don’t like about your body or yourself in general. Instead- empower yourself and strive for better from love.
Love yourself enough to put effort to feel your best self. In other words, nurture your body and care about it. Do everything from love and as a result, you’ll see changes you wish much faster than ever.
Actionable takeways
- Remember that what you speak- you become. So speak all the love to yourself and your body.
- Appreciate what it does for you and take care of it.
- Focus on what you like about yourself, name it down and never forget.
- Unfollow or remove all the discouraging people out of your circle. Focus on inspiration.
- Create your physique goals from love to your body instead of the hate.
