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Change your mind

Love your body

'There's something wrong with a world that doesn't show how beauty, courage and intelligence can come in many shapes and sizes,' says AdiosBarbie, a website dedicated to helping people of any size, shape or colour improve the way they feel about themselves. Having a poor body image – your mental picture of the way you look – is a common problem, made worse by the proliferation of 'perfect' body images in the media. The concern isn't just a female worry, either. One man talking on the AdiosBarbie website, says, 'After a long time believing I run, lift, bike, hike and try to 'eat right' in the interest of being fit, I've realised my motivations are more superficial than healthy. I worry about what I'm convinced I should look like, based on magazines and movies.'

It is possible to change the way you think about your body. Being unhappy or dissatisfied because your body image doesn't match the often impossibly high ideals of airbrushed supermodels or film stars is tough on your self-esteem, and can make you feel that it's not worth the effort of trying to make changes. It can also have you abandoning good intentions completely if you slip up just once on a diet or exercise plan. Thinking patterns can be unlearned, like any other habit, and the more often you think upbeat about yourself, the more easily negative thoughts will fade into the background.

Some of the following techniques will help you create a positive mindset, but if worries about your weight or body are getting you down, there are many places where you can get sympathetic and professional help.

Get a better body image

Dr Susan Jeffers, author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, recommends affirmations as a powerful tool to altering your mindset. 'Every morning, look in the mirror and repeat a positive thought about yourself out loud several times: 'I look great, just the way I am', 'I am powerful and efficient', 'I am creative and strong'. Don't worry if you feel crazy at first. Keep saying it, and very soon you'll find you believe it.'
Nutrition consultant Lyndel Costain suggests these techniques: 'Think of six things your really like about your appearance – your smile, your eyelashes, your fingers. Remind yourself of these, whenever negative thoughts about other parts of your body start creeping in. 'I may not be so keen on my thighs, but I've got fantastic ankles!' Or ask a friend to list four or more things that they think are good about your appearance. You'll almost certainly be pleasantly surprised to find how differently they view your body from the way you see it. And finally, if someone says you look good, don't shrug off the compliment. Take it as meant, and say thanks.'
'Don't surround yourself with images of people you could never look like,' says AdiosBarbie. 'Create a wall of inspiration with pictures of...friends and family who love and support you.'
'Look after yourself,' advises psychotherapist Linda Tschirhart Sanford. 'This is especially important if you spend a lot of time taking care of others, and tend to neglect yourself. Treating your body as worthy of love and respect is an important aspect of healthy self-esteem. Whatever makes you feel good, whether it's dancing, having your hair done, having a lie-in, going to the movies, resolve to do it, and do it often. Remind yourself frequently that you are far, far more than just a body. The essential you is an amalgam of so many things: your imagination, your sense of humour, the way you express yourself, your talents. All your unique qualities, of which your body is just one, combine to make you what you are.'

For further reading and weblinks on loving your body go to Help and info.

Treat mind and body as one
Think effortless exercise
Find real happiness
Love your body
Eat intuitively
Age fantastically
Retrain your brain

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