Cultivate Body Confidence

Build a Positive Body Image

Everyone has heard of the placebo effect; it is where individuals are given sugar pills as medication and believe they have taken the real thing. They heal due to the power of positive thinking, not by actual medicine. Confidence can deeply impact what we are capable of accomplishing. Consequently, those individuals who participate in negative thinking, such as “I will never be skinny”, “I will always be fat” often times cannot achieve their health and wellness goals.

As a culture, negative thinking toward our bodies is increasing. One quarter of girls within a normal weight are on a diet; even as young as an 11 year old! Just under half of all American women are on a diet every single day. Women are constantly comparing themselves to super-skinny celebrities, when realistically the average American woman weighs 165 pounds.

Over 75% of American women are unsatisfied with their appearance. Poor body image can lead to depression and low self-esteem which often triggers unhealthy eating habits and encourages a lethargic lifestyle. Rather than focusing on the negative, cultivating confidence can result in positive rewards.

Get off the body-loathing boat ride by focusing on a healthy diet and regular exercise. When you start appreciating and respecting your body, you can learn a positive way of thinking and find inspiration to care for yourself.

How do I cultivate body confidence?

Do not restrict foods. This often leads to cycles of caloric restriction until binging due to deprivation. Rather, stabilize your meals and moods by eating instinctively. Individuals who eat based on feelings of hunger have more positive body images, as they do not feel “bad” for eating “off limit” foods.
Focus on what your body can do. Rather than focusing on your bigger than average thighs, focus on their strength, how they enable you to go for long walks or hikes. Rather than focusing on things that may jiggle when you run, focus on your heart and lungs, how they are working together to enable you to be running.
Compare realistically. It is best to compare one’s fitness goals with themselves. This can be done using before and after measurements. You can measure your weight, your body fat, your inches, how long you can run, how much you can lift, etc. These comparisons are realistic as they are based off yourself and your improvements. Too many times people get caught up wanting to look like someone with a completely different body composition than theirs. For example, the 5’2” gymnast is never going to have the same body as the 5’10” basketball player. When comparing, as we all tend to do, compare realistically.
Be positive. Give yourself a compliment every day.
Downsize. Get rid of any and all accessories that do not make you feel fabulous today (yes, get rid of the jeans you are saving for “when you lose the weight”). Keep the things in your closet that make you look and feel good NOW.