Growing up, everyone surrounds themselves with people they love. Family, friends, partners, teachers, and coaches, all these people in your life tell you how beautiful and special you are; however, self-confidence is not something that is simply given as a result. It is normal to be your own biggest critic. Self-confidence is something you must find deep within yourself, and it starts with how you view yourself when you look in the mirror.

It has been estimated that 20% to 40% of women are dissatisfied with their bodies. While body dissatisfaction in men is suggested between 10% to 30%. Body image is what you think and feel about yourself and how you imagine yourself. This also entails how you react to your thoughts and feelings. For example, adolescents with negative body image are more likely to suffer from mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

The relationships we make throughout our lives shape us into who we are. This does not always pertain to others. Food is something we interact with every day. An unhealthy relationship with food can deceive us. It can persuade someone into thinking that they can only eat vegetables to lose weight or only eat high-protein meals to gain the most muscle, etc. Despite what one may believe, food is medicine. A healthy relationship with food could help you form a healthy relationship with yourself.

Women who portray positive body image can benefit in more ways than one. Girls and women with positive thoughts are more likely to be in good physical and mental health. Positive body image is associated with higher self-esteem, self-acceptance, and having a healthy outlook on life.

Self-confidence and positive body image go hand and hand. These are not things that are taught, but they are something you have to believe in. Introduce healthier ways to view your body and yourself, and the more you do this, the more comfortable you will become in your own skin.

Your body is beautiful, and here are some steps that can help you achieve positive body image:

Affirmations

Think of something positive about yourself. It can be a favorite feature about your physical appearance, a character trait, anything. Write it on a sticky note and paste it on to your mirror. Whenever you read these, look at yourself and say it out loud. Looking at yourself in the mirror is like you are saying it directly to yourself. You will internalize it more because you are seeing yourself say it and hear it all at once.

Treat Yourself

Be kind to your body. Always take time out of your day to do at least one nice thing for yourself. Read a book, take a bath, have a sweet treat, take a nature walk, do yoga. If you do things that your body will appreciate, you will learn to appreciate your body and be grateful for all that it does for you.

Surround Yourself with Positivity

People in your life should encourage you to be your most authentic self. It is easier to feel good about yourself when being in the presence of others who embrace who you are. Do not allow others to continue being in your life if they are holding you back from seeing your greatest potential. Taking better care of yourself likely helps you feel more optimistic and feeling more positive makes you want to take better care of yourself. 

Appreciate All Sizes

Do not let the media influence how you are supposed to look. There is no one way to define beauty. Short, tall, muscular, curvy, petite, apple- or pear-shaped, it is valuable to love how you look because you are unique. All bodies are beautiful, no matter your shape or size.

At Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating, we want to guide you to achieve a positive body image by helping you create a healthy relationship with food. 

Check out our healthy meal plans today!