This sad article shows that 97% of women have an “I hate my body” moment daily and the average woman has 13 negative body image thoughts a day. So being at war with our bodies may be common in our society… but is it normal, acceptable, or beneficial to anyone? NO!
Like this short fat talk video says, we have a “body image crisis” on our hands. We need to make peace with our bodies. No, this doesn’t mean looking at every part of yourself in the mirror and loving it all (although this is something to aspire to). But, this does mean that you can look in the mirror, claim YOUR body, and respect it for what it allows you to do and the life that it allows you to live.
Here are a few tools to start breaking down the body image war:
Negative Body Image Buster #1: The next time you have a negative body image thought- take it captive and think of the body parts purpose. There is a great example of this on the blog of a RD friend, Marci Anderson. You see, when we think about all of how each part works together body many times hate turns into an appreciate and respect.
Negative Body Image Buster #2: Be thankful for your body. Nothing stops me in my tracks and makes more thankful (and humbled) for MY body than seeing someone who is disabled or how my grandfather can hardly walk anymore. This puts simple things into perspective like going for a walk on a crisp fall morning.
Negative Body Image Buster #3: Speak truth to yourself. You only have one body- life doesn’t start at a certain size and life won’t be perfect at a certain size either. I think when we are at war with our bodies we are using our bodies as a scapegoat for some other emotion or struggle in our lives and sadly being at war with our bodies only adds to the stress. When you really think about it, it really is irrational to think that life would be perfect… “when I get to ________ size or lose _______ pounds or if had this ________ shape”, because we know people with bodies that fit the “life would be perfect” description and they’re life isn’t perfect either.
Negative Body Image Buster #4: Start your day like Jessica!
Your body is your home so to speak. And, like NEDA says, “Your body is the vehicle to your dreams. Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it.” Choose to respect your body and the bodies of others. You only have one life and one body (your own body). Instead of being at war with it and comparing it to others bodies, try to learn, appreciate, and accept its uniqueness and beauty. Why not embrace and nourish your body, so that it CAN take you to your dreams?
This post is by Janet Zimmerman, a University of Memphis Nutrition Student and Schilling Nutrition Therapy, LLC Intern. You can follow Janet on Twitter as well at http://twitter.com/JanetZimmerman
I think everyone should do this dance!
I agree