Your body is the one constant in your life—your constant supporter and companion. Can you honestly say you treat it like a treasured friend? Who has been there for you from the beginning? Who will be there at the end?
~ Catherine L. Taylor
Spring is here; and as wonderful as it is, the warmer weather can trigger panic in people who are overweight and/or suffer from body image issues. For many, the idea of having to reveal more flesh in less clothing can be a real downer.
What’s needed is a hefty dose of body love, not an easy thing to do in a world obsessed with thinness.
So how can you begin to love your body right now with its imperfections and less than ideal shape?
- Practice gratitude for your body on a daily basis. Hate your body? Your body isn’t the enemy; your attitudes and beliefs about your body are. Change those and watch how you feel about your body transform.
- Cultivate joy in your body by finding ways to move your body that feel good to you. Swimming, walking, dancing, and stretching are enjoyable ways to move your body. Build strength in your body and enjoy what it can do for you.
- Cultivate your spirit. As you nourish your spirit, you begin to realize you are not your body; your body is a simply a vehicle, a container for your spirit. As a sacred container, it warrants your care and respect.
- Wear clothes that feel good on your skin and that are flattering, no matter what size you are. Get a cute haircut; get a make-over; wear nice accessories; or get your nails done. These little touches make you feel good about yourself and when you feel good, you carry yourself with pride and confidence.
- Shift your focus from your flaws to what makes you fabulous and unique. Create a “What’s Good About Me” list. Review and add to it frequently. Build on your strengths. Don’t base your worth on a number on the scale or your appearance. The body is impermanent and in a constant state of change. Even if you manage to achieve a perfect looking body, it’s not permanent: the body gains weight, gets sick, old, flabby, decays, and eventually dies. You can’t win at this game.
Remember, real beauty is an inside job. It’s perfectly ok to want to look good, but don’t ever lose sight that who you are as a person, your relationships, and the good you do in the world are far more important and will give you longer lasting satisfaction and self-esteem than looking good ever will.
