Tweet
BODY IMAGE IS…
- How you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind.
- What you believe about your own appearance (including your memories, assumptions, and generalizations)
. - How you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight.
- How you sense and control your body as you move. How you feel in your body, not just about your body.
NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE IS…
- A distorted perception of your shape--you perceive parts of your body unlike they really are.
- You are convinced that only other people are attractive and that your body size or shape is a sign of personal failure.
- You feel ashamed, self-conscious, and anxious about your body.
- You feel uncomfortable and awkward in your body.
POSITIVE BODY IMAGE IS…
- A clear, true perception of your shape--you see the various parts of your body as they really are.
- You celebrate and appreciate your natural body shape and you understand that a person`s physical appearance says very little about their character and value as a person.
- You feel proud and accepting of your unique body and refuse to spend an unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight, and calories.
- You feel comfortable and confident in your body.
Accepting YOUR body image means:
- Appreciate the things your body can do. With your body, you can walk, dance, laugh, and dream.
- See yourself as a whole person. When you look at yourself in a mirror, avoid focusing on specific areas of your body. Everyone else sees you as a whole person—you should too.
- Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Try not to wear clothes that are too tight or too baggy, and fit your style.
- Remember that true beauty is more than skin-deep. The most beautiful people in the world are beautiful because of who they are, not what they look like.
- Keep a list of the top ten things you like about yourself. These things shouldn't be about what you look like or your weight. Make sure you read your list often.
- Surround yourself with positive people—positivity is catching. By being around positive people, you will learn to be more positive yourself.
- Stop listening to the inner voices telling you something is wrong with your body, or that you are a bad person. Drown these negative voices out with positive ones.
- View media and social messages critically. Instead of believing what they tell you, look beyond the hype to see the truth.
- Pamper yourself. Show your body that you appreciate it by soaking in a tub, taking a nap, or going for a walk on a sunny day.
- Do something for someone else. You might be surprised at how good it will make you feel about yourself.
We all may have our days when we feel awkward OR uncomfortable in our bodies, but the key to developing a positive body image is to recognize AND respect our natural shape AND learn to overpower those negative thoughts N' feelings with positive, affirming AND accepting ones.
Well said
ReplyDeleteLove the layout
Our community is one that is all about the body image - that's mostly what all of us feel we have that give us any self worth - anyone else who isn't near chiseled perfection is depressed about it. Ah well ... we know it's true and we are all guilty of putting what a person looks like before what their intellect is or the strenght of their soul.
I am here waiting to be disagreed with
There was a time when I HATED my body. I could not even bring myself to wear dresses and skirts because I felt they would reveal my flows more. I was frustrated and embarrassed and totally obssessed about how I looked and whether other people noticed my flows.
ReplyDeleteBut as I grew older, I became more accepting, realising that there's not much I could do to change my natural shape.
I also think that people will notice your flows only if you're constantly worried about them or if you're too negative. Once you accept yourself, people will notice and concentrate more on the person you are rather than how you look.
Great post. I struggle with this. There are things about my phsyical self that i would like to change. I do see the flaws as well as my attributes. My image of myself has been something must be wrong with me....what and how can i change? And it had alot to do with just not felling accepted by the people that i love. Watching them over and over again walk away from me when i fought so hard to show them that no matter what they meant the world to me. Well, i see now that I need to mean the world to myself. They are the ones missing out on me.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll always have bodies issues. Just when you think you've grown out of it, gotten past it, there is always some moron who say something that sticks with you and have you double checking yourself in the mirror and going to gym a little more.
ReplyDelete*sigh* But that's life. By the time we get over all of our issues we're dead.
Good Pictures! Eating is so importend, my soul is under a big pressure, because, i am afraid to get fat,....excuse my engl.
ReplyDeletegreetings from Haburg/Germany
I used to hate every thing about the way I look... now I can't get the mirror off of me! ^_^ I am drop dead gorgeous to meeeee.... if I was looking for a husband and I wasn't me, I'd pursue me. ^_^ Ahh... I'm so cute I could hold myself! Look at that cute little body and that 28" waist... teehee...
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. We all know we are our own worst critics, so it's hard to see ourselves in a positive light.
ReplyDeleteI will say that I am content with my body. Of course it could use some work, but those of you who have perfect bodies see the work that needs to be done.
I just try to maintain a healthy eating ritual and excercise regimen.
Our external physical features do not define who are.Sad to say a lot of emphasis is placed on physical features as the standard for beauty and attractiveness in our societies,this is especially so in the gay community. The 6 pack and muscular,chiseled physique are prized possessions more than anything else in our community and everyone is somehow measured against this standard. Those of us who don't meet these standards are somehow made to feel inferior or almost less than human.
ReplyDeleteIT IS TIME WE REALIZE THAT OUR LOOKS DO NO DEFINE WHO WE ARE AND EACH OF US NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE AND AT EASE IN OUR OWN SKIN.WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WE STRIVE TO BE HEALTHY BUT BE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN SKIN AND LET WHO UR INSIDE AND YOUR QUALITIES DEFINE U.
There are some flaws about my body I dont like...but I have really high self esteem. I think Im pretty...and because my age doesnt match with the way I look...damn, Im so sweet. Got my kids in highschool friends digging me.....lol.
ReplyDeleteoh and you have pretty lips....sweet!
ReplyDelete