Improve your Body Image

[Missy]

To improve body image it is necessary to change any negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive and encouraging thoughts. This may take some time and effort but it will be worth it!

To start try to:

-write a list of parts of your body you are happy with and keep these in mind by repeating them to yourself regularly.

-learn to accept your body type and appreciate what your body can do, not what you believe it can't do.

-learn to ignore what the fashion / media industry tells us how we should look - remember most pictures are modified by computer and only a very small percentage of the population have the shape of models due to genetics.

-eat sensibly, exercise regularly and safely.

-try to make workouts fun and involve others for support.

-put appearance in perspective, remember that weight and appearance is not who you are.

-try to avoid the glossy fashion / celebrity magazines which promote unrealistic body images.

-make friends with the person in the mirror and learn to like what you see, its possible that negative thoughts about self can lead to binge / comfort eating.

[Trying4Thin]

I need to print this post out and glue it to my refrigerator. It has a lot of very good points on it.

I think the fashion industry purposly picks models that are "perfect," and the population tries to be them; and becomes horribly depressed when they cant. (Teens especially) I cant tell you how many times I have looked in my magazines and thought..."Wow I would love to have that body someday." I think Dove was on the right track using "average sized" women in their newest ad campaign. Who says Plus Sized Models arent beautiful too? A good example of this is "Emme." Also in this category are; Moni'que, and Queen Latifa. I dont think it is fair to say that anything over 120 pounds is fat. Hollywood is unfair in their weight standards and who they think is beautiful. So when are the "Mandissa's" and "Monique's" of the world ever going to make it into "People's Most Beautiful" Issue? Is beauty considered just what is on the outside? According to Hollywood it is. When are people going to see past the outside, and take a look at what is on the inside? If everyone was "beautiful" on the outside; it would be a very boring world to live in. Outer beauty gives confidence; inner beauty defines who we are, and holds the most beautiful feature we have...our hearts.
Dont get me wrong; I love shows like: "The Swan" and "Extreme Makeover," but why were these people considered not good enough before? The only (visible) thing that changed before and after the makeovers was the outter shell. Are they truly happier now that they are "beautiful" by Hollywood's standards? If they want to be truly happy, they need to fix their insides as well by healing their self confidence issues. Sure a new set of breasts and a tummy tuck can provide improved self esteem, but will it really solve everything in the longrun? I know I want surgery eventually, but I also know that it wont completely solve my self esteem/happiness issues. Those solutions cant be bought; they need to be worked through by me.


~Carrie

[mifsit]

Originally Posted by Missy

-learn to ignore what the fashion / media industry tells us how we should look

Quite true. There are far too many women who look like walking skeletons with skin draped over for my taste in the media these days. Reading an interview with Kiera Knightly she said she was leaving hollywood because whenever she went to an audition she was usually the biggest one there
I don't even know where the media get their ideas from. These women are (in my opionion) far from beautiful. I could go on but can I just assure you ladies that being a size 4 and blonde is not everything. There are guys out there (like me) who prefer women to be fuller figured.

[Patty_Ann]

Missy...I like it when you mention becoming friends with the person in the mirror - I have done this lately and I can now look at myself and not feel down. I am beginning to really love who I am - to be honest - I think it is b/c I have changed on the inside...I don't think it has anything to do with my weight loss. I still have a ways to go but who I am becoming already is great!

Carrie - I love this...Outer beauty gives confidence; inner beauty defines who we are, and holds the most beautiful feature we have...our hearts. You could not have said it any better....thanks!

Misfit - you are so right...the women they believe is beautiful just look like skeletons. They look so fragile - it is so sad to see that society makes them out to be the BEST.

[Missy]

Originally Posted by mifsit

I could go on but can I just assure you ladies that being a size 4 and blonde is not everything. There are guys out there (like me) who prefer women to be fuller figured.

I am glad I got to hear you say this. My boyfriend always tells me that looks aren't everything and I never believe him. I'm always afraid he'll look over at someone superficial and want them more than me.