Brilliant messages from the late physician and writer
The main aim is to feel body positive the majority of the time. Go easy on yourself and remind yourself that it’s a journey and there’s always work to be done.
Sources: (The Guardian) (Forbes)
See also: Bizarre health and fitness trends
Finally, bear in mind that you don’t have to feel body positive all the time. We all have down days where we might feel insecure about this, that, or the other.
It can be easy to compare yourself to others, but actually it is better if you can learn to appreciate others’ bodies without wanting to change your own.
Start by frequently thanking your body for the things it can do, i.e. "I am thankful for my body still being able to exercise."
If you are confident in yourself and know yourself well enough to appreciate your strengths, this will show.
It is also a good idea to recognize that the world is home to a huge number of different bodies, and one of those is yours.
Focus on what you love about yourself, and if you are not sure where to start, ask your loved ones, who will no doubt have a long list.
If you find it really difficult to achieve body positivity, try striving for body neutrality first. After all, this is leaps and bounds ahead of body negativity!
Instead, focus on learning to listen to your body. Eat when you’re hungry, move your body in a way that feels good, and get enough rest.
It is a good idea, if you can, not to focus on numbers when it comes to body shape, weight, and size. Try not to worry about the weight on the scales or the number of calories burned.
This is a shameless contradiction to the point above about sustainable fashion, but if something is going to make you work out, buy it!
Bear in mind that you are more likely to get your body moving if you can wear clothes that make you feel great about yourself.
Unfollow any accounts you find particularly triggering, and follow accounts that are actively focused on building positive body image instead.
Our style should be an expression of our personality strengths and the things we want in life, rather than a reflection of media-driven body ideals.
If you are particularly triggered by certain social media accounts, it can be a good idea to tailor these, in order to limit your exposure to upsetting content.
Another good tip when it comes to dressing for body confidence is to dress for your character, rather than your physical shape.
Seek out sensible health advice that makes sense to you as an individual, and bear in mind that none of us has the same ideals, nor do we all want to look the same.
If you do want to change your body for some reason, make sure those changes are small and easy. Aim for consistent habits that you are able to maintain.
If you are attending a class for the first time and are feeling anxious, let the instructor know. Admitting your vulnerability can make it seem like less of a big deal.
Again, this one may be easier said than done, but try to push through any insecurities related to exercise. Exercising in public can be daunting, but if you don’t do it, things will only get worse.
Perhaps easier said than done, but make sure you get enough rest. It is impossible to feel confident if you are sleep deprived and run down.
It also does not hurt to dress in bright colors! Unsurprisingly, dressing in unapologetic, bold colors has been shown to lift our mood.
When you go shopping, make an effort to buy things that actually fit and make you feel good. Ignore clothes sizes and go with what feels right.
You may not be able, or even want, to fit in a nap every afternoon. Nonetheless, finding a routine that includes enough downtime is important for everyone.
Dress in colors that make you feel good about yourself, and if you’re not yet sure what those colors are, experiment.
If you’re finding it difficult to ignore those insecurities for your own good, do it for the planet. One of the main reasons we shop too much is because we buy things that we wish would fit, but don’t.
Remind yourself that only drinking milkshakes for three weeks straight or completely cutting out sugar is unsustainable and not a sensible idea.
If you find yourself tempted to make drastic changes in order to achieve your ‘ideal’ body shape, don’t! Crash diets hardly ever work, and they’ll probably leave you feeling miserable.
When it comes to choosing an outfit, it is important to dress for your body as it is. Remind yourself that your body will never be quite the same again, so it should be celebrated today!
Of course, it does not hurt to take inspiration from others, but the starting point should always be to look at how to accentuate your own assets.
When it comes to body positivity, society has come a long way. Gone are the days of the ubiquitous fad diet; little by little, people are learning to listen to their bodies and treat them with respect. However, there is a lot of work to do to unravel negative learnt behaviors and attitudes that affect us on a daily basis.
Check out this gallery for some ideas on how to be more body confident, today.
15 ways to be much more body confident
Steps you can take today
LIFESTYLE Body image
When it comes to body positivity, society has come a long way. Gone are the days of the ubiquitous fad diet; little by little, people are learning to listen to their bodies and treat them with respect. However, there is a lot of work to do to unravel negative learnt behaviors and attitudes that affect us on a daily basis.
Check out this gallery for some ideas on how to be more body confident, today.