A Guide to Developing a Healthy Body Image

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Developing a healthy body image is really important. If you don’t make sure you love yourself and see yourself as a whole, you might start developing illnesses. Some people develop eating disorders, while some develop things like body dysmorphic syndrome. This can lead to things like excessive weight loss, muscle gain, weight gain, and more. The way we feel about ourselves is often down to many factors, including how we’ve been brought up and the things we’ve been brought up around. It’s never too late to develop a healthy body image, but the earlier you do it, the better. Here are some ideas to help you:

Make a List of Things You Like About Yourself

By making a list of things you like about yourself, you have something to focus on if you begin to feel down. Add to the list as often as you like, not matter how small or insignificant something may seem. Don’t worry about what you’re writing on there; nobody else is going to see it! You could say things like you love your long legs and delicate feet. You could say you love the shape of your eyes and how plump your lips are. You could say things like you love your skin tone and how your skin stays clear. You probably have so many more things you are grateful for than you realize! Start appreciating these things today. You more than likely have so many things that other people wish they had.

Don’t Focus on Specific Body Parts
When we look in the mirror, it’s easy to focus on specific body parts. For instance, a wobbly tummy or cellulite on the bum. Try your hardest not to focus on these parts! It won’t do you any good. Instead, see yourself as a whole person when you look in the mirror. That’s how other people see you. Nobody looks at the things you hate just as much as you do, and more than likely won’t even notice them! It can take some practice, but you’ll feel so much better when you start seeing yourself as a whole.

Treat Yourself

image by realbodyredesign. com

Treat yourself nicely. If you don’t, how can you expect anybody else to? Speak to yourself as you would a friend in your head. Stop telling yourself you’re not good enough! If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, avoid saying it altogether! You should also make the effort to regularly pamper yourself. You can take baths and do home facials. You can even schedule a monthly massage or manicure; something that makes you feel good about yourself! Why not? You deserve it!

Start Eating Properly

Eating properly is so important. You should never starve yourself or solely eat low calorie foods in an attempt to lose weight. This can mean you develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Stop using food to reward yourself or make yourself feel better too. Food is fuel! Learn how to cook yourself tasty, healthy meals full of vegetables. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. When you begin eating like this, it’s unlikely you’ll ever experience problems with your weight.

Get Some Exercise

Make sure you get regular exercise, but don’t obsess over it. You should aim for at least twice a week if you’re just starting out, working up to maybe 4 times a week. You still need rest, so you shouldn’t overdo training. Rather than training for a specific aesthetic goal, train mostly for health reasons. Aim to run a little faster, lift a little heavier, and work on your endurance. You can even aim to lose body fat to get to a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of health problems. Work up a sweat a few times a week and you’ll feel so much better in so many aspects of your life.

Take the Media With a Pinch of Salt

In the media, we’ve always seen pictures of seemingly perfect women. But you must remember that these women have teams of professionals behind them to make them look like that. They have the right lighting, cameramen, and even people to tell them how to pose. All of that before they are actually photoshopped and ready to be put in the magazine! Aim to be the best version of yourself, and don’t let the media get you down.

Turn Negative Into Positives

If you perceive something as a negative now, do your best to turn it into a positive. How? For example, if you don’t like your big thighs, you could think about how you’re grateful for having strong legs. Everybody is unique and different and it’s things like that that make you, you!

Accept Compliments

Accept compliments rather than bat them away. When most people give compliments, they are being authentic and genuine. You should bask in the glow of a compliment and really appreciate it, because rest assured they mean it!

See a Doctor

If there’s a part of your body that you don’t like with good reason, maybe it is out of proportion or distracting, you could see a doctor to discuss your options. Belcarahealth.com/ could give you some great advice on what to do. Providing you have an otherwise healthy body image, then getting something that seriously affects your confidence sorted out shouldn’t be an issue.

Wear Clothes That Flatter Your Figure

Instead of wearing clothes that hide your figure, aim to wear clothes that flatter it instead. Learn all about your body type and shape and learn how to dress it to make you feel more comfortable. The clothes we wear can greatly influence the way we feel and act!

Realize Somebody Else’s Image Doesn’t Change Yours

You may look at somebody and see that they have a beautiful face or body. Don’t let yourself feel jealous of them or resent them. Instead, admire them. It’s OK to admire somebody else’s beauty without it taking away from your own. The fact that they are beautiful doesn’t make you any less beautiful! The more positive you can be about others, the more positive you can be about yourself too.
I hope this guide helps you on your way to a healthy body image!