Learning to be body positive

   

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Because I have some challenges with my body image, up until recently I was getting some of my clothes the wrong size. I had this idea of looking a certain way and that’s how I thought of myself. Finding out that I was actually not shaped the way I thought was such a weird experience. It made me reexamine my body and how I treat it.

Treating your body right isn’t just a physical thing. Exercise and healthy eating are important, as are taking care of any physical illnesses. But a part of having a healthy body is the way you talk to yourself. If you’re constantly thinking, “My thighs are too fat,” or “My arms aren’t muscular enough,” you start viewing your body in a negative way. This type of thinking will affect your ability to properly take care of yourself. At one extreme, it might be depressing and lead to something like overeating. On the other side is starving yourself or engaging in excessive exercise. Neither of those options is healthy.

It’s important to treat your body with respect. It’s the only thing you will have your whole life, no matter what happens. It is an extremely valuable asset and should be treated as such. When you are feeling down about one part of your body, always think of a positive. Even though it sounds cheesy, find one thing you like about it. I promise you can. I like the way my lips are shaped. It seems trivial, but having something about you that you love makes a difference. Everyone – and I mean everyone – has some attractive aspect. You aren’t an exception to that.

I’ve been trying very hard lately to be body positive. I went to the store and bought an item of clothing that I felt insecure about pulling off with my body. I felt so dumb when I was being checked out. It felt like the clerk was thinking, “Really? You’re gonna wear that?” when I’m sure he didn’t even think anything of it. When I wore it, nothing catastrophic happened. No one said anything. People didn’t stare at me. It was hard, at first, to be comfortable. Then I simply stopped noticing. It was fun to wear something different.

My point is, you are more concerned about your own body than anyone else is. (If someone does care more than you, tell him/her to mind his/her own body). How you treat and talk to yourself is what matters. It’s a really hard thing, but just try to accept your body. No excuses, no exceptions. I haven’t been able to do it perfectly, but it’s already made a huge difference for me. 

Your body deserves all the love you can give it. It’s what’s keeping you alive, so be grateful and kind to it.

What helps you feel more confident in your own skin? Sound off in the comments.