Is this the Body Image you see when you look in the mirror?

Is Body Image Everything?

I was looking at some old photo’s of myself today and I got to thinking about the way I viewed my body growing up. I was never  fat but I was always about 10-20 lbs over weight and I was obsessed about my body image and how people viewed me. I think this had a lot to do with the images I saw in magazines and on TV. I never looked like the people I saw and I would compare my body to the images I was and never felt good enough in my own skin. I was always on a diet or starting a diet, and I would fail miserably and vow to do it all again the next week. I had a bad view of myself and the image I saw in the mirror. You could say I had an obsession with Body Image and Dieting. Now, looking back at those photo’s I wish I knew then what I know now about self love and acceptance. As I got older I realized that body image really has nothing to do with my size or shape but really it has more to do with the way I see and view myself.

We are constantly bombarded by images and messages that set the standard of what is beautiful. The social pressure to look good is what drives so many of us to develop eating disorders and in severe cases, even disease. I realize as an adult that those body images I wanted to emulate were unrealistic and would never be a standard I could meet.  Our bodies come in different shapes and sizes and we need to have self acceptance and love for ourselves.

Building a healthy body image takes practice, time and patience. If you focus on these 5 steps you can greatly improve your body image and learn to love and accept yourself. Today I can say that I truly do love myself and I am working to improve my weight and health.

Here are 5 tips on Improving your Body Image

1)Focus on positive qualities that you like about yourself, write them down. When you feel critical about your body image take out that list and review the qualities you love in yourself
2)Stay away from negative people who constantly point out your flaws; if this person is a family member limit the amount of time you spend with them.
3)Set goals for yourself, make an effort to achieve your goals, this in turn will improve the way you feel about yourself.
4)Get active, try new physical activities. This will improve your self confidence.
5)Surround yourself with people who have a healthy relationship with food, weight, and their bodies.  It will make a difference in how you feel about yourself.  Also, remember to set a good example for others by refraining from “ The fat talk” when you’re with friends and family.

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