9 Strategies for Real Life Body Confidence in a Perfection-Obsessed World [Part 2]
“You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” – C.S. Lewis
We are back at it again this week, talking about how to slay this whole body confidence thing in a perfection and thin-obsessed world! If you missed it, check out Part 1 for 10 more important strategies to actually begin the rewiring of your thoughts and mindset on body image.
Let’s dive right in….
Stop weighing yourself. Starting big with this list! While this is an obvious strategy, it is also a scary one for those who have held on very tightly to this number and its arbitrary significance for most of their lives. You have likely heard this before, but weight is simply one measure of health and wellbeing that plays into a much bigger picture. If you are not able to use the scale as an objective, unemotionally charged tool then it may be time to say “see you later” and find other ways to measure your progress like how your clothes fit and feel, your physical strength, skin health, quality of sleep, etc.
Re-prioritize your thoughts. One of my biggest ah-ha moments came for me when I did a rough calculation of how much time I spent thinking about my body’s “enoughness.” Answer: too much time. I began to ask myself, “What would I rather spend my energy and brain space on? Answer: everything else…family, my partner, my business, travel, creative pursuits. So now I shift my thoughts to these parts of me and my life that are much more important because caring about them is a much better use of my time.
Start seeing your body as a vessel. Working in a health-centric field has afforded me the time to learn about the many amazing things our body does for us on a daily basis. It is truly astounding. When you are having moments of critique on your outward appearance, squash those thoughts with a list of all of the things your body does for you that you are grateful for… walking, breathing, seeing the world around you, lifting up a child (or growing and birthing a child!), snuggling with your dog, having the dexterity to macrame… your body makes this all possible. And she does it all while you are ragging on her for not being perfect. Time to give your bod the props she deserves!
Take ownership of your energy. Be critical of what energizes you and what drains you and plan your week accordingly. When we are feeling tired, run down, or stretched thin, this creates the perfect breeding ground for insecurities. Instead, tune in to what you are needing and don’t be afraid to say “no” or “not right now” or “how about next week?” when you are needing some time to yourself to recharge. Remember…put your oxygen mask on first.
Reframe the conversation. Friends don’t let friends talk shit about their bodies. Disengage from negative body dialogue and call out yourself and your friends when it is drifting in that direction.
Do right by your skin. Not only does radiant, glowing skin feel beautiful but it is often an indicator that our gut health is in check, we are tuning into food sensitivities, we are well hydrated, etc. Taking steps towards better skin health can help you get in touch with what your body does and does not appreciate and requires ongoing intuitive eating. Which is basically a way of saying, “I listen to my body first.”
Get your move on. Nothing makes me feel better about my body than when I move her! Whether it is dancing, running, interval workouts, riding my bike, kayaking, or simply going for a walk…movement feels good and makes me proud of and grateful for all that my body can do.
Stop paying attention to size. Period. Sizing of women’s clothing is BONKERS! Sizes are so inconsistent across the industry…the number in your clothes truly means nothing. So stop putting so much emphasis on what size you wear and if you have to up or downsize at a store. Buy what fits and buy what makes you feel good. And if you are really stuck on size, cut it out of your clothes. Don’t allow yourself to be labeled, especially by a metric that lacks any substance or consistency.
Learn something new. Stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone, travel, learn a new skill. This is a great way to gain perspective on your body and what it allows you to do, all while building self-efficacy and confidence. Living boldly translates to feeling bold. Creating a well-rounded, full life translates to feeling well-rounded and whole.
If you are struggling to find what works for you to feel amazing in your skin, please reach out! My wholistic approach to lifestyle change includes nutrition, exercise, stress management…yes, yes, yes…but we also focus heavily on healing the very important relationship you have with your body. Skeptical that you could ever love your body?? See what my clients have to say.…