In the midst of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, today’s ShapeU post is, well, all about you. So much has already been posted to the web and social media universe, and it’s only Tuesday! Posts that promote self love, embracing who you are, appreciating your body, your mind, your spirit – and I’m definitely all for that! But, keeping it real, sometimes it’s easier said than done!
We all have those days when it just isn’t going our way, when we’re a little too hard on ourselves, or have an easier time picking out more negatives than positives, and that classic scene from Mean Girls comes to mind. Especially when it comes to our bodies, in the culture we’re surrounded by that is so obsessed with looks and appearance, it’s all too easy to get lost in the perfectionist mindset. But the beauty of it is, it happens to everyone, and what’s even better is that we can turn it around!
Here are ten ways you can love your body:
1. For every one negative thought, give yourself two positive compliments.
2. Surround yourself with people who love you for exactly who you are.
3. Make a list of people you admire, and consider whether their looks were a deciding factor in their position on your list – chance are, they weren’t.
4. Take the time to write down 10 things you love about yourself – no negatives.
5. Consider the time and energy you spend criticizing yourself and your body. What if you channeled that into other things throughout your day.
6. Look at the women of sports – they are healthy, successful, and proud of their physique, but their bodies may not fit what would be consider “perfect” by the standards that so many people believe in.
7. Challenge the ideals of others: what is beauty? What does beauty mean to you?
8. Live by the rules you set and the standards you hold for yourself: being individual is more beautiful they some people make it seem to be.
9. Put a post it on your mirrors in your bathroom and bedroom with your favorite quotes that promote positive body image.
10. Wear clothes that make you confident and comfortable.
11. Exercise to feel accomplished and energized, not to change your body to fit someone else’s standards of beauty.
And speaking of number 11: embrace your body and make it healthier, exercise to be fit and strong, rather than skinny to fit with others’ ideals of beauty. Try these ideas for the best fitness routines that work for your body type!
11 Ways to Love Your Body [CC's ShapeU]
