Positive and Negative Body Image

Positive body Image is ...

• A clear, true perception of your shape ---- you see 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.

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.
  

Reference: http://www.healthyplace.com/eating-disorders/main/body-image-distortion-a-growing-problem-among-women-and-men/menu-id-58/#top

Developing a Healthy Body Image

Here are some guidelines (Adapted from BodyLove: Learning to Like Our Looks and Ourselves, Rita Freeman, Ph.D.) that can help you work toward a positive body image:

• Listen to your body. Eat when you are hungry.
• Be realistic about the size you are likely to be based on your genetic and environmental history.
• Exercise regularly in an enjoyable way, regardless of size.
• Expect normal weekly and monthly changes in weight and shape.
• Work towards self acceptance and self forgiveness- be gentle with yourself.
• Ask for support and encouragement from friends and family when life is stressful.
• Decide how you wish to spend your energy -- pursuing the "perfect body image" or enjoying family, friends, school and, most importantly, life.

Think of it as the three A's
Attention: Refers to listening for and responding to internal cues (i.e., hunger, satiety, fatigue).
Appreciation: Refers to appreciating the pleasures your body can provide.
Acceptance: Refers to accepting what is -- instead of longing for what is not.

Healthy body weight is the size a person naturally returns to after a long period of both non-compulsive eating* and consistent exercise commensurate with the person' s physical health and condition. We must learn to advocate for ourselves and our children to aspire to a naturally determined size, even though that will often mean confronting misinformed family, friends, and media advertising again and again.

Judy Lightstone, M.F.C.C. is a licensed Marriage, Family, Child Counselor in Berkely, CA. She has a private practice where she works with individuals and couples.Visit her website at http://www.psychotherapist.org/. Permission for use granted by Judy Lightstone.

Tips For Better Body Image

Body beautiful is often a misleading term. Beauty is not so much about fairness and smoothness of skin as it is about the personality of the person concerned. Our positive qualities often outweigh our size and shape. To look beautiful, it is important that we love it and feel comfortable with it. Negative body image can lead to depression and shyness. It is time that we stop criticizing minute details and start praising the assets, blessings and the gift of God. Instead of turning a recluse every time a pimple appears, women must realize their potential of giving life. Doctors agree that most of the eating disorders in women result from comparing themselves to beauty divas on ramps that flaunt not so healthy picture of being 'slim'.

Judge on the fitness of your body, not according to fads, but by your stamina, endurance, strength and comfort. Develop your own style and stop being a beauty and fashion industry victim. Do exercises that you can enjoy - be it jogging, cycling, gardening or dancing. Indulge in any sport that allows movements, not to lose weight but to strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles and give you a break. Diets are helpful in losing weight but only temporarily, so don't put all your focus on them and work around them to have balanced meal and still have all the essential nutrients and proteins that your body needs. Some fat on hips and thighs is quiet essential for women and give them that feminine shape, so don't loose your sleep over that. Try to improve your body image by looking at yourself like a young child. Treat body with respect. Stop smoking, taking drugs, eat well and exercise within your comfort level. Do not give in to teasing and peer pressure and remember that much of your looks may depend on the ethnicity, heritage and environment in which you live. Idealized men and women body proportions are good enough for seeing but there is much more in world to look forward to than brooding on how to develop or tone those muscles.

Reference: http://beauty.indobase.com/body-care/tips-for-better-body-image.html