We all want to be in shape, maintain a healthier lifestyle, look and feel better in our own skin. We all start from somewhere and none of us had looked like fitness models when we started.
Hating the way we look or judging ourselves for our appearance, however, can have a massive influence on our quality of life. It influences considerably less important things like our fashion choices on daily basis but the truly dangerous side of it is that it starts to influence our confidence and our judgments for self worth. This has an unlimited potential to ruin our life.
On top of that, there are parts of our bodies, that can’t be changed even with the craziest diet and the most intense workout routine- there is simply not much you can do about it. So what? We have to live our lives feeling like we are not good enough just because of it?
The beauty standards change over time and there is a lot of social pressure to look as close to “the norm” as possible. I don’t know if its just because I’m a woman myself, but it feels like the expectations are worse for females. This is definitely not to say there is little social pressure on men! Let me know what you think in the comments bellow.
So what can be done about it? Are you sick of impractical advice on loving yourself? So am I! Here are 10 really practical tips you can try out today!
- Create a list of all the things your body lets you do. Read it and add to it often.
- Become aware of what your body can do each day. Remember it is the instrument of your life, not just an ornament.
- Create a list of people you admire: people who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world. Consider whether their appearance was important to their success and accomplishments.
- Count your blessings, not your blemishes.
- Think about all the things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend worrying about your body and appearance. Try one!
- Find a method of exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly. Don’t exercise to lose weight or to fight your body. Do it to make your body healthy and strong and because it makes you feel good.
- Keep a list of 10 positive things about yourself—without mentioning your appearance. Add to it daily!
- Put a sign on each of your mirrors saying, “I’m beautiful inside and out.”
- Consider that, “Life is too short to waste my time hating my body this way.”
- Surround yourself with people that remind you of your inner strength and beauty.
I hope you have enjoyed my article and you found it useful. I truly believe that loving and appreciation yourself is the foundation of maximizing your potential in any field. Try some of them out and share your results. I would love to hear them.