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Most women struggle to do so, but can easily mention three things they dislike. A lot of women believe that to feel good about their bodies, they need to be a certain size, shape and weight. But in reality, body satisfaction and dissatisfaction come in various shapes, sizes and ages.
Think back to when you were a teen. Most teens felt so self conscious about everything and seldom appreciated their slim, lean bodies. Looking back now, we often wish we had enjoyed it while it lasted. This seems to continue even into our 30's and 40's.
You may have felt self-conscious about showing your upper arms in your 30's and by the time you got to your 40's, you wished you had enjoyed the leanness of your 30-something arms back then. Now in your 40's, they really haven't improved.
I believe that women waste such a lot of precious time on wishing our bodies were better, slimmer, taller etc, etc. When what we should be doing, is finding a way to enjoy our bodies' best features today.
It's not to say that you don't need to aim at leading a balanced life of eating well and exercising, but we should accept what we cannot change or accept our bodies as they are if we are not going to do something that will change it.
I'm sure you are thinking, "Easier said than done". Here are a few steps to get you on the road to loving your body today.
Identify positive features.
1. Stand in front of a full length mirror and try to find three things you like about your body shape. If you really struggle with this, ask a trusted friend to help you. They see your body very differently to the way you do as they are not emotionally attached to it. Don't give up on this step. If at first you don't succeed, keep trying.
Write it down.
2. Write the three things you do like on a piece of paper and stick it onto your full length mirror. So often we fall into the same old patterns of criticising ourselves. We need constant reminders about the positives until it becomes second nature.
Practice re-affirmation. It works!
3. Repeat the three positives to yourself every day. Continue to do this for 30 days. A bad habit can only be broken with a repetition of a good one.
Clean up.
4. Give away all your clothing that doesn't fit you today. It's no use keeping a "fat" or a "thin" wardrobe. If your favorite "thin skirt" is hanging in your wardrobe and you constantly tell yourself you are "too fat" to wear it, you are filling your mind with negative thoughts. If you are on a health and wellness plan and on your way to your goal weight, pack those items away until you can wear them. It's equally important to give away clothes that are too big for you. Holding onto them will just leave you the option of fitting into them.
Shape your mind, shape your wardrobe.
5. Learn what suits your shape now. I have consulted with countless women who want to wait to lose weight till they feel great. When you learn how to dress for the shape you have, you feel better about yourself and more often than not, make better and healthier decisions for yourself. I have seen many women who learn to dress for their shape, feel great and then lose the weight.
Loving your body as it is today is not an easy thing to achieve, but it really is worth a try. Life is simply too short and too precious to waste it on wishing you were something you are not. Enjoy your body for all that it is and you might be surprised at what it can become.
How do you feel about your body? Are their parts of your anatomy you wish you could change? Share your thoughts and comments with us in the box below.
