Are you at war with your body image, and ready to call a cease-fire already?
Creating a healthy body image and being confident in your skin doesn't have to be rocket science.
The first step to accepting your body and taking your life back is to become aware of the people, experiences, perspectives, thoughts, beliefs, values, choices, and behaviors that have shaped your body image over your life.After all, you can only change what you understand.
Step 1: Assess your body confidenceBelow is an assessment you can complete that will help you see what exactly makes up your personal body image. Take your time to complete the assessment. Go to a quiet place, and meditate on the questions before you answer them. Write your answers and keep them somewhere safe; it's very helpful to establish a starting point to work from, so that you'll know where to focus your efforts to create a healthy body image.
1. How do you feel about your body?a. Is it a finely tuned machine that you want to maintain?
b. Is it a nuisance to take care of?
c. Do you try to control it through intense exercise and diet?
d. Is your body where you place all your happiness?
a. What were you doing?
b. What were you wearing?
c. Who were you with?
d. How were you feeling?
a. What were you doing?
b. Who were you with?
c. What were you wearing?
d. How were you feeling?
a. Why do you feel that way?
b. What or who has made you feel that way?
c. Do you tend to concentrate on your body even more when you feel you have no control over your life, weight, and happiness?
d. If so, how does this fixation show up in your life?
a. Who or what made you feel that way?
b. What's special about your body?
c. How does it affect you in your life?
a. Who or what made you feel that way?
b. Why do you least like this part of your body?
c. How does it affect you in your life?
a. Why do you feel that way?
b. What lowers your motivation to lose weight, exercise, get stronger, etc...?
a. Why do you think they are confident?
b. Who or what do they surround themselves with?
c. What emotions/vibes do you feel when you are around them?
a. Why do you think they are not confident?
b. Who or what do they surround themselves with?
c. What emotions/vibes do you feel when you are around them?
a. What toxic beliefs are you willing to drop (i.e., "I'm an overeater.", or "I have no willpower.")
b. What are the toxic friendships/relationships that you need to end?
c. What are the unhealthy life choices that need to be changed?
d. What are the self-sabotaging attitudes and thoughts about yourself, your body, the exercise you do, and the food you eat?
Becoming aware of the things that have shaped your personal body image so far is the first critical step in building a healthy body image. In the next post, you will learn how to re-write your negative personal body image stories into inspiring, positive ones that motivate you to love life and your body.
About the authorPamela Brown, The Body Confidence Breakthrough Queen, helps women who are at war with their bodies to build the confidence to create and maintain a healthy body, and take charge of their life. For more strategies and tips on building a positive body image, visit her site at www.pamelabrowncoaching.com.
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