Three Steps To A
Positive
Body Image  Print PDF
By Laura M. Turner, M.Sc. CNHP
In
their book: The Body Has a Mind Of Its Own, authors Sandra and
Matthew Blakeslee tell us that the image we have of our own body is
not always an accurate one. At times, and of no fault of our own,
the brain can create a skewed reading of what it perceives in the
mirror and our body image could suffer. If
this is true, and we can create negative views of what we perceive
in our mind's eye, I believe we can also train our thoughts to
create positive body images. It simply
takes a bit of work, focus and mental fine tuning. Further, if your
body-image could use a shift from luke-warm to a positive boil, read
on for my three steps that can help get you there.
Step One: Create A Baseline
Even if you are pleased with the image of the body you see in the
mirror before you, it never hurts to take inventory of where you are
right now. And if you'd like to make a change, the exercise that
follows is a good way to begin. With this said, I personally
advocate taking time out (especially this time of year) to evaluate
how you currently feel about your body and check in with your
personal proprioception (how you feel in the company of others). I
invite you to give it a try. There are plenty of ways to do this
online. I personally used the quiz at Netdoctor to give me a
baseline of what my mind perceives about me - right now. 
Step Two: Love Your Body As It Is
In step one I've suggested that you periodically take an inventory
of your body image. In the same way, I believe we should all take
time each day to give thanks for what we already have and to love
ourselves as we are - right now. This exercise in self-love and
awareness, in my experience, works to marry all parts of the "self,"
mind, body and spirit. With this in mind, and to aim to love my body
as it is, I use a regimen inspired by the beautiful book You Can
Heal Your Life, by Louise L. Hay. The exercise is simply this:
First, take an overview of your body and then make note of what you
love about it.
Next, let what you love about yourself expand. Do this each day by
taking time in the mirror to practice sending love to yourself. Send
love to the parts of yourself you admire the most and let this
positive energy expand. Each day find a new part of yourself to love
and send it positive energy. In time, I think you'll find, piece by
piece, you will put yourself back together as a fully realized
positive entity.
Step Three: Make A Plan To Change
When you are taking inventory of all the things you love about
yourself, you will ultimately find things about the current "you"
that you'd like to change. In my mind, the hardest part about
creating a positive body image is letting go of the things we cannot
change about ourselves. For example, we can't change (naturally) our
bone structure, eye color, genetic makeup. Yet, there are things
(within reason) that we can do something about. Nutrition, fitness
and weight. These are all positive changes we can work toward making
and managing. 
With this in mind, you don't necessarily need expensive equipment or
gym memberships to take care of your body. If it's weight you'd like
to lose and you are not already - get yourself moving. Be sure to
add resistance training into your workout, as well. And continue to
look for simple ways you can lose weight if you need to. Although
weight loss programs are beyond the scope of this article, you can
check out my free eCourse "Easy Weight Loss Strategies" at the
www.beauty-and-body.com
website for ideas.
Finally, if you need to, get support. There are many ways to change
what you need to by creating a supporting community. This was and
continues to be the foundation of Weight Watchers. Too, many like
minded friends can be found at the YMCA or through forums online.
Check out iVillage or one of my favorites, SelfGrowth.com, for a
supportive holistic community.
Finally Give Thanks:
Give thanks to your body daily for the beautiful machine it is.
After all, it gives you the ability to enjoy this life. I believe
your body was meant to be perfect, healthy and whole just as it is.
Inside all of us is the potential for health, beauty, well being and
to enjoy and attract all the positive energy that is available. Give
thanks for this gift. Take this time right now and vow to take care
of your body and engage its natural ability to be all that it was
meant to be. And in doing so you are working toward the prescription
of the authors of the Body Has A Mind Of It's Own, who remind
us that taking charge of our thought patterns can re-form them into
healthy, positive body images and transform our lives from the
ground up.
An Affirmation For The Body:
Today I send love to my body.
I thank the universe for creating me as I am
perfect, whole and loving.
I have everything I need for perfect health.
My body is perfect, whole and complete.
I am a beautiful human being,
capable of love and loving
capable of giving and receiving.
Today I bless myself and my body
for providing me with health and joy.
I love who I am and who I shall become
under the light from above. | 
