Create Body Confidence
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Have you ever heard of the placebo effect? It is when Individuals believe they are prescribed medication for an ailment when in fact they are given a sugar pill. The interesting thing is that many times these people actually improve! This is due to the power of the mind and positive thinking. Positive thinking is an underestimated, yet powerful tool in creating body confidence. Body confidence can deeply impact what we are capable of accomplishing in all aspects of our lives. Conversely, individuals who engage in negative thinking such as “I will never be skinny”, “I will always be fat” do not have much body confidence and oftentimes cannot achieve their health and wellness goals.
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As a culture, negative thinking toward our bodies is increasing. One quarter of girls within a normal weight are on a diet; even as young as 11 years old! Just under half of all American women are on a diet every single day. Women are constantly comparing themselves to super-skinny celebrities, when realistically the average American woman weighs 165 pounds.
Over 75% of American women are unsatisfied with their appearance. Lack of body confidence can lead to depression and low self-esteem which often triggers unhealthy eating habits and encourages a lethargic lifestyle.
Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on positive thinking to create body confidence. Get off the body-loathing boat ride, adopt a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and force yourself to think positive. When you start appreciating and respecting who you are, you’ll begin to create body confidence.
How to Create Body Confidence
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Be realistic. Body confidence begins by realizing we are all different. Individuals are created in different shapes and sizes. Being thin does not equal being healthy. Feel good about who you are mentally, emotionally, spiritually and not just what you look like. It is also important for you to do a reality check about your expectations. Yes you can be thin, yes you can be fit, but you may not necessarily look like the hottest celebrity or sports figure. Too many times people get caught up wanting to look like someone with a completely different body composition than theirs. When comparing, as we all tend to do, compare realistically.
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Do not restrict foods. This often leads to cycles of caloric restriction then binging. Stabilize your meals and moods by eating instinctively. Individuals who eat based on hunger have more body confidence than those who eat out of emotion or boredom. This is because they do not feel “bad” for eating “off limit” foods.
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Focus on what your body can do. Rather than focusing on your bigger than average thighs, focus on their strength, how they enable you to go for long walks or hikes. Rather than focusing on things that may jiggle when you run, focus on your heart and lungs, how they are working together to enable you to be running.
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Be positive. Give yourself a compliment every day.
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Downsize. Get rid of any and all accessories that do not make you feel fabulous today (yes, get rid of the jeans you are saving for “when you lose the weight”). Keep the things in your closet that make you look and feel good NOW.