What category of words do you use to describe yourself and your body? I have heard a few that indicate we need to address body image and self-esteem. If you’ve got a good body image, this section potentially isn’t for you, but there may be some thoughts below the surface, so please continue reading.

Here’s a list of common words that are indicative (in my world), that we need to find your positivity and growth mindset as a priority. Without a growth mindset, progress is difficult and relapse is likely.

“disgusted, ashamed, gross, unworthy, failure, loser, worthless, embarassed, weak, repulsive, ugly, unlovable.”

These words and how we feel about ourselves have to be addressed. Any moment we say something declaratively negative, we need to work on it. That is why, when they arise, we should note when and why so we can work on them together. 

It is very hard to make a positive change for ourselves when we don’t hold ourselves in high enough regard. You may think you’ll love yourself once you lose the weight, unfortunately, too often this is not true.

When we have poor body image, we may not see ourselves as we really are (unhealthy body image), and we are more likely to see ourselves in a negative light (negative body image). This view of ourselves impacts our self-esteem negatively. Those who have a positive body image are less likely to have their self-esteem tied to how they look as they are more comfortable in their own skin.

A poor body image can actually hold us back from making the improvements to our health that we need to, because we are so focused on how we look and are so down on ourselves that we become paralysed. 

Here are some options that will support improvements in body image and self-esteem.

Question messages in the media – Many messages in the media are inaccurate and misleading. This includes images and portrayal of bodies in the media. Comparison to these ideals is unrealistic and can be harmful to self esteem.

Focus and practice self-love, self-compassion and positive body image – Loving our bodies as they are is a good step toward focusing on health. When we see ourselves accurately, we can start to see our bodies for what they do for us beyond appearance giving us a better connection to ourselves with less external negative influence.

Choose the media you are exposed to – When we aren’t exposed to media that perpetuates negative ideals of our bodies then we are more likely to be positive about our bodies.

Connection to our bodies through styling – When we engage with our bodies and what we like to look like in our bodies as they currently are then we feel better about ourselves and our self image.

Surround yourself with people who have positive self-image – Sometimes we are influenced negatively by friends and family – Some people have their own issues and this can be projected onto you. Surrounding yourself with more positive people who have healthy body image can influence you to feel the same way about your own body.

Avoid Criticising others and their bodies. When we practice compassion for others and avoid negative talk about bodies then the tendency to self criticise is also diminished

Practice cultural mindfulness – When we hear people make comments about body shapes, and also in relation to eating. We can be understanding that this may be cultural. When we understand where it is coming from we can more readily understand that the comments are not specifically about us, and that it may be cultural.

You amy think hating your body is motivating. It doesn’t work that way. You need to develop a love for your body regardless, because if we love our body, then we are more likely to take care of it.