3 Steps to a Healthier Body Image

Spectra

One thing that really helped me get comfortable with my body was to look at myself naked a lot. It helped me get comfortable with what my body parts looked like. If you think about it, it makes sense...most of us don't have perfect faces but we're a lot more accepting of what our faces look like because we see them every single day in the mirror. Once you realize "Yep, this is what my legs look like, might as well get used to them", you're a lot easier on yourself.

Jody - Fit at 52

I like your points. I still find it hard not to compare myself, even after all these years BUT I still respect what I have done, especially at my age. For example, many guys & people in general don't like how muscular I am but I like it & I am healthy so I don't really care that others might find it too much. I have healthy bones & live a fit lifestyle as I age. That is most important.

I'm impressed by what you have commented and what the author had post. It really makes sense to me. We should appreciate our own selves rather than comparing. We are uniquely made by God, so let's be contented. Take care always

Healthy body image is so important. I wish that we could all just feel good about ourselves and live well. I just found a book called "Looking Good Naked" on Amazon and I'm eager to read it. I think it could help people learn to be comfortable in their skin.

Jim F.

My one piece of advice would be to look in the mirror and say "I am not my body". The body is like an overcoat that will one day wear out. Look after it so it stays functional for a long time... but in the end gravity will win!

foooood

My advice is to try something new (like a class). It doesn't have to be super bold or intense. But you might find that you really enjoy it and are really good at it.
Personally, what really made me start to appreciate and love my body was when I decided to take a fitness class that I had never done before. I chose to do spinning because it looked rather easy (it isn't!). After I was done, I was covered in sweat and I felt like my lungs were about to burst but I felt so accomplished and amazed at what my body could do. I remember halfway through that workout I thought of quitting because I had never been worked that hard, but I looked around and everybody was pushing, so I hung on. After I was done, I was so proud of myself and it was hard not to love my body after an hour of sweat, (boiling) blood, and tears (from sweat in my eyes!!).

Lover and listen to your body. Eat what your body wants when you are hungry. Trust it to let you know when it has had enough.

All of the tips seem cliche, but I think that's because we hear them all the time. At some point it might actually sink in. On the other end of things, I don't think there's anything wrong with deciding you want to change something about your body if it is changeable, i.e. toning certain areas of the body. Just so long as the expected results are within reason.

I think it's very important any beginner starting an exercise program should get a medical check up before you start placing stresses on your body that you are not used to. That way you will not end up with an injury that could set you back months.

when i was young, i was a heavy kid. i got made fun of a lot and so i starved myself. i didn't have the knowledge i needed to understand that there is a healthy thin and a sick thin. even if you aren't a skeleton, starving yourself robs your body of so much more than just food. i was never taught this until i got to college. its wrong! with all the eating disorders running rampant through schools, you would think more money would be funnelled into health classes. instead of just learning about drugs and std's, these schools also need to focus on eating disorders a little more. its something i really could have used when i was a kid... i've developed arthritis at 20 years old because i starved myself for 3 years. these girls need to know is more than just an image

Respect for your body and others is also important. If you were to place two people beside each other who were the same weight, one who is a avid runner and the other one who didnt exercise at all, most people would have a hard time to distinguish who was the healther of the two. Its because there are other factors that come to place when talking about health. In our society ( Western ) everything is about look. Even doctors are biased towards looks but there is more to the story to what is on the outside.
Respect your body and others around you because you do'nt know what is really going on

I am in an awkward position. My doctor wants me to lose 20-25 pounds, but everyone is telling me that I look good and says what do they want you to be anorexic?

I can relate my doctor wants me to lose 170 pounds though I don't look like I have that much to lose. But for now I am going to attempt to do what he says, considering I ended up in the hospital.

When your doctor tells you to loose weight and you can reverse diabetes it's a strong incentive. I've done well in the beginning loosing 15 lbs. Lately it's much harder to budge the numbers. Ive been suuck for a month. I've got 30 lbs to go. Tell me how you all seem to glide along. I think your answer will be to increase my exercise. whew, it's hard..
I also want to stop looking "round" and look better. I'm 67 but that's no excuse. Help me please.

I don't have a real good body image naked. In my clothes I look fairly good. I'd like to lose 15 more lbs. but with all of the excess skin, stretch marks, and my age, 62, I'll never love myself naked. I do work out a lot, and love what my body can do for me, that is important. I do my best, and that is all one can do.

I am 53. I've had 4 children and 3 miscarriages. Some days I look at my naked self in the mirror and like what I see. Other days, I do not. One of my greatest disappoints is that my stomach will never, ever be flat again and gravity has taken its toll on my chi-chi's. LOL. My sister had a tummy tuck about 3 years ago and I am envious. Just like I'm envious of all those model/actresses who never looks like they were pregnant or had more than one kid and flaunt their bodies, like 3 days after having a kid! LOL. Although, I am convinced each one of those chicks has had a tummy tuck immediately after giving birth. LOL. I am grateful for the things that my body does for me though, i.e., strong heart, good lungs, good, strong legs that carry me wherever I need to go.

I, who spent most of her life trying to be the skinniest woman in the room, have paid a huge price --broken pelvis, weak back (three spinal surgeries), neuropathy, other broken bones. Now at last am beginning to believe when folks tell me I'm still thin at 30 lbs more than a year ago. My new project is to get firm and strong once again.

Hey. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on something. It's kind of strange, but here goes. My middle toe is fat. The rest of my body is fine, but I can't lose weight on my toe. It's like that's where all my fat has gone. I have been to the doctor and everything. The toe isn't broken or deformed or anything, it's just fat. Please help me. It's aweful looking.

Avoid looking at your reflection all the time - the more you look, the more you think about it.

You only need to look in the mirror after you've got dressed to check your outfit matches, and after lunch to make sure your face isn't covered in food. You certainly don't need to look at your reflection in a shop window,

I deffinately agree with all the points in this article. I'd also like to add that surrounding yourself with people who have the right attitude about body image really helps, because as we all know, we tend to pick up a lot from our peers. Surrounding yourself with people who care about personality and moral values rather than being "perfect" makes you realize that being skinny isn't the ultimate purpose to life. Of course you should care about being in shape for your own body type(to an extent) and being healthy, but not about looking like a runway model.