First off, what is body image? Body image can be both positive or negative, it relates to how one feels in their body as well as how one perceives their body.
One thing that I have always struggled with has been body image. I've never really cared what other people have said about me because honestly, I am like 50 times harder on myself than any one could ever possibly be. My struggle with self-image got to a point where my self-esteem was just (for lack of a better word) shit; I couldn't take a picture without feeling disgusted with myself (if you notice there's not many pictures of me), I compared myself to everyone who passed by, I opted to stay home as opposed to going out--what kind of life is that? It's a real waste, if you ask me. There's so much to see in the world, so many amazing people to meet, so many memories to be made; once I realized I was missing out on all of that, I had enough.
A lot of people assume that negative and positive body image start and end at your physical appearance and I've come to find that that's furthest from the truth. While your physical appearance might play a part in why your struggling or not struggling, it doesn't end there. I believe that what you put into your body, how positive your mindset is, personal experiences, and the quality of the life you live, all play key roles in how we perceive ourselves. While going to the gym/exercising is as easy as just doing it; converting a negative mindset to a positive one can be more challenging. I found it helpful to find the source of why I was I was feeling the way I was. For me, it was a multitude of things; I had a baby, I was away from my normal environment, I was struggling in my relationship, I didn't have many friends around, I had developed negative mindset and I stopped maintaining myself the way I used to. Once I recognized what was really putting me down, I started taking little steps to help me feel better. When I became consistent with applying these steps to my life I noticed a big difference in the way I perceived myself and my body. Though body image is something that I still struggle with, it's no longer something that I let stop me from enjoying myself. I wanted to share with you some steps that have been beneficial to me, in hopes that they will also benefit you.
Eating Healthy This might go as a no brainer, but eating healthy is vital for both your body and mind. I've been doing a lot of reading from Eat Pretty and have gained a lot of insight on how different types of food affect our bodies as well as our emotions. Also, diet, is a stupid word, throw it out of your frickin' vocabulary. Eat whole foods as much as possible and avoid fast foods--yes, eating fast food/junk food can and will alter your mood, if your'e interested in reading how, you can click here.
Drink Your Water You'd be surprised how much a little dehydration can negatively impact your performance. Water is one of the most critical nutrients for our health, including a healthy mind. I noticed when I'm hydrated I have more energy, my skin feels better, I'm less bloated, I don't have headaches, and I'm less irritable; which means I'm more positive. If you don't like the taste of water (Yes, water does have a taste) you can try adding fruits to your water to give it some natural flavor.
