Stop Worrying About Your Weight!

Ah, summer, when the heat rises and the clothing shrinks — along with our self-confidence, too. Ads ask if we’re “bikini body ready,” while most summer styles seem flattering for only the smallest figures. If we didn’t already feel bad about ourselves, this time of year will often tip us over the edge.

Surveys show that about half of American women are unhappy with their looks, and up to 80 percent don’t like looking in the mirror. The way we think of ourselves — our body image — can even get in the way of meeting new people, dating, and sex. Men aren’t immune from the pressure of looking like models, either.

All that body anxiety can have real effects on our health, including eating disorders and depression. Plus, feeling fat can actually make you fat. A study of normal-weight teens found that those who thought they were overweight had a 40 percent higher chance of becoming obese by age 30, compared with teens who didn’t think so.

Ashley Heher running in a triathlon. Photo courtesy of Ashley Heher.

Love the bod you’re with

It doesn’t have to be this way, and in fact, the tide could be turning. France just banned anorexic models from runways. Celebrities like Kate Winslet, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Lorde are speaking out against Photoshopping their pictures. Famously-not-size-0 comedian and actress Mindy Kaling appears on the June 2015 cover of InStyle magazine. And on social media sites and blogs, more and more women are speaking out and saying, Enough! I will not apologize for my stretch marks and scars and lumps. These are souvenirs of my life, and they are a part of me.

“Here’s the deal with a bikini body — everyone has one,” says Ashley Heher, a weekend warrior triathlete who leads group runs in Chicago — and wears a size 16 or 18. “It doesn’t matter your shape or your size or your curves or your lack of curves. You get a bikini body by wearing a bikini. Simple as that.”

So instead of feeling anxious about ourselves, let’s celebrate our bodies. They carry us through the world and make it possible for us to do all the things we love — taste strawberry ice cream, swim in the ocean, hold a baby, and dance and sing and laugh and love and play.

Let’s focus on strong, not skinny. Health is about more than weight. It’s about feeling good, being able to do the things you’d like to do, and being confident in who you are. Somewhere along the way we’ve lost touch with that idea of health. Let’s reconnect with ourselves and banish body anxiety. Here’s how.

Let go of the numbers

Even though we like to measure and quantify things, there’s more to health than just digits on the scale. Other things, like stamina and strength, count for a lot. In fact, people with a few extra pounds — especially when they’re older — tend to live longer than skinny people. In that group, muscle mass may be a better predictor of health than overall weight.

Sarah Castimore, an Alaska mom, is an aficionado of Crossfit, a workout that emphasizes teamwork and lifting. She describes herself as 5’2″, 210 to 220 pounds, with “great” blood pressure and “terrific” cholesterol.

“I think there’s been this massive misconception for decades that any overweight person is lazy and unhealthy,” she says. “Athletes come in all shapes and sizes. You don’t need to be a size 2 to be active and healthy.”

Experts support her view.

“When someone says a person is strong, I think of someone who has stamina and is physically active and makes the right food choices,” says Maya Feller, a Brooklyn-based nutritionist.

Ways to be strong and fit

• Eat right. Yes, calories matter, but our bodies process 100 calories of sugar and 100 calories of tomatoes differently. The tomato is better fuel and will probably make you feel better. As the experts say, go for lots of whole grains, veggies, and fruits. Don’t be afraid of healthy fats like olive oil, but stay clear of empty calories.
• Move your body. We’re designed to move, and most of us don’t move enough. Any little bit counts, even dancing with your kids or running a block. A good rule of thumb is 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week (or half as much if you’re running or doing other tougher stuff).
• Get enough rest. Yes, there are lots of fun things to do in the quiet late-night hours, like catching up on Facebook or Game of Thrones. Just make sure you get enough sleep to keep you going through your day. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours to function their best.
• Work on strength. Weight-bearing exercises build stronger bones, especially in women. Lifting weights builds muscle, which burns more calories, creating a healthier balance in your body. You’ll also feel, well, stronger — and likely more confident.
• Create a healthy home. A healthy environment builds success, Feller says. Cook at home. Stock your pantry with good options like fruit and veggies, so you don’t reach for fast, processed snacks.
• Speak up. “I actually got really cranky at a local store in town for advertising ‘summer body’ yoga,” Heher says. “I replied to their Facebook post by saying: ‘Hey guys, bodies are seasonless.’ “

Traps to avoid

While working on the positives, like eating right and getting enough sleep, it’s also important to watch out for doubts and anxieties that can derail your efforts.

• Don’t set impossible goals. You may never hit the low end of your weight range, and your 130 pounds might not look like someone else’s 130 pounds anyway. Crash diets rarely keep the weight off long-term. Focus on reasonable changes you can stick with. Can you start walking more? Eat more veggies? Those are wins.
• Don’t worry about what size you are. Ignore the size on the clothing label, especially since one brand’s L can be another’s XL, and even different styles in the same size might fit differently. If you find clothes that are comfortable and flatter your shape, you’ll look and feel better.
• Don’t give in to excuses. You know those voices that say you can’t find the time, you’ll never be thin, why bother. Flip your script. “Ask yourself this question: Is what I’m about to say going to lead me towards, or away, from my goal?” says Roy Taylor, a personal trainer in Florida. Refocus your mind and your body will follow.
• Don’t be hard on yourself. You wouldn’t call your friend chubby or blimpy, so why say it to yourself? It’s hard enough to juggle the demands of work, family, and everything else in your life — so be kind to yourself. You can do better tomorrow.
• Don’t give up. Just because you’re a few pounds over your goal weight doesn’t mean you should throw up your hands and binge on chips and ice cream. A few little changes can make a difference over time. It’s true!
• Don’t hide. Even Sarah Castimore admits to feeling self-conscious sometimes. That doesn’t mean she stays home. “I’m just not going to be what holds my kids back,” she says. “I’m not going to make them stay home just because I don’t want to wear a swimsuit.”

Source:- https://www.rallyhealth.com/stop-worrying-about-your-weight/

They Gave Each Kid A Barbie And A Doll With Real Proportions. What They Say Next Really Says It All.

Barbie's supposed to be the "all-American girl" with the amazing wardrobe, perfect boyfriend, a million careers, and the dream house every girl wants. But when you compare her to the average American woman, things don't quite measure up. So an artist decided to create a doll modeled after the average American teenager, and the results are pretty amazing.

What's wrong with Barbie?

Well, for one thing, her body dimensions are completely unrealistic. For a school project on eating disorders, college student Galia Slayen took Barbie's measurements and created a life-size version that is disturbing to say the least.

Barbie's unnatural body dimensions inspired Nickolay Lamm.

Artist Nickolay Lamm had the idea to create a new doll based on the dimensions of the average American teenager. He hoped that by creating a toy with a more realistic body type, it might help make kids feel better about themselves.

He took his concept for Lammily, the "average" doll, to Kickstarter in March 2014 to crowdfund the idea. The project quickly went viral, raising over $100,000 in just a few days. In November 2014, Nickolay took one of the first finished Lammily dolls to a local elementary school to see what children would think of her in comparison to the traditional Barbie doll.

What did second-graders have to say about Lammily?

Then the kids were asked a series of questions about Lammily and Barbie.

"Which doll looks most like you?"

"What job would Lammily have?"

"What job would Barbie have?"

Pretty powerful stuff right? For me, the way they answered the jobs question really stood out to me. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think conventionally beautiful or thin women aren't smart or deserve to be judged on their looks. But these children's comments are symptomatic of the messages our society perpetuates about beauty, intelligence, and body image. And that's precisely the problem.

This just goes to show that it's so important that kids have a variety of diverse and realistic representations of people in order to develop healthy body image and self esteem. That's why it's so awesome that a doll like Lammily exists. I can only hope other toy makers will take note and we'll see more diverse and realistic dolls for our kids to play with in the near future!

Take a look at what the other second-graders had to say about Lammily along with a special behind-the-scenes Lammily photo shoot below. And if you think kids deserve more realistic dolls like Lammilly, consider sharing this post!

Source:- http://www.upworthy.com/they-gave-each-kid-a-barbie-and-a-doll-with-real-proportions-what-they-say-next-really-says-it-all?c=reccon3

Frequently Asked Questions About Body Image And Beauty

What is meant by the term "body image"?

Body image is the term used to describe how we see ourselves when we look in the mirror - and how we believe others see us. Different than a reflection, which is what the mirror "sees," body image encompasses the state of mind in which we view that reflection. For example, a stranger may look at you and see an attractive, well-groomed person. But you may see yourself as overweight, unattractive, or even ugly and believe that others see you that way as well. Part of what we see in the mirror relates to where we have trained our eyes to look first - usually our perceived flaws. The rest of what we see is filtered through our mind’s eye - the image we see reflects back the image we have of ourselves in our head a picture which may or may not accurately represent the true reflection in the mirror.

What do the terms "negative" and "positive" mean in relation to body image?

A "negative" body image is characterised by a distorted perception of how we really look. For example, you may see your breasts as being too small or your legs as being too short when in reality they are both of average size. People with a negative body image usually view themselves as unattractive, think that others in their life are more attractive (like a sibling or parent) and believe that their unattractive appearance is somehow a reflection of who they are inside. A "positive" body image exists when the reflection we see is an accurate one. It doesn’t mean we don’t see our flaws. It just means we are realistic about them, and we can also see our attributes. Having a positive body image means celebrating and appreciating your physical appearance, and loving what you see, warts and all!

How can I have a good body image when society’s view of my size is so negative?

It’s true that we are continuously bombarded with images of the "perfect" body and that can make us feel insecure. For those with an already negative self-image, these "ideals" can further reinforce bad feelings. The way to counter that pressure, say experts, is to first realise that only a chosen few actually "measure up" to society’s unrealistic standards - and they frequently do so at a cost to their health. Moreover, realise that your personal body image is reflected best by who you are, not how you look compared to someone else.

Is it possible for a woman to have a satisfying sex life if she has a terrible body image?

Interestingly, research shows that sometimes sexual dysfunction in women frequently characterised by a lack of desire is really all about not feeling desirable. In a study published in the Journal of Sex Research doctors found that women who felt less attractive than they did 10 years before reported a decrease in sexual desire. Women who reported feeling as attractive as they did in the previous decade reported more satisfaction with their current sex life. While the study doesn’t prove that feeling attractive boosts a woman’s sex drive, it does suggest the two go hand-in-hand.

What are the links between eating disorders and body image?

Women with a negative body image are at greater risk of developing an eating disorder, and women with an eating disorder frequently have a negative and often unrealistic body image. Moreover, women with a poor body image often try to use weight loss to boost their self-esteem, only to find it doesn’t work. In fact, most women with eating disorders continue to have a negative body image, often viewing themselves as overweight, even after they become painfully thin.

I’ve always dreamed of being that perfect size 8, but my body wants to stay forever size 16. Is there a trick to learning to love the skin I’m in even if I’ll never be that size 8?

The answer is yes and experts say it begins with accepting the idea that "big" is not "bad." What counts most is the state of your health - factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index, and your level of fitness. If your doctor says you check out OK, then you can work on accepting your current weight as a healthy weight for you. If, in fact, your "full figure" is the shape your body gravitates to naturally, then it’s possible that this is the shape at which you will look and feel the healthiest.

Is it wrong to be concerned about how you look? And what are the signs that someone is obsessed with their appearance?

Concern about appearance, and a desire to look as good as you can is quite normal. However, there can be a fine line between looking your best and being obsessed with your looks a problem known as body dysmorphic disorder. In this instance, a person becomes preoccupied or "obsessed" with either a nonexistent problem, such as believing their average-size nose is really huge or dwells on what would otherwise be considered a minor cosmetic flaw, such as one crooked tooth or a slight case of acne. Moreover, the person consistently seeks to remedy or change what they don’t like, often seeking surgery or other medical attention, and is seldom satisfied with the result. Another tipping point, say experts, is when the preoccupation with appearance begins to interfere with normal living or prevents a person from reaching their goals. In either instance, medication, such as antidepressants or counseling is sometimes needed to overcome the "obsession" and restore balance to self-image.

Shedding 50 lb (22kg) was easy compared to shedding this image I have of myself as a fat girl. Will this feeling ever go away?

Yes it will but it’s going to take a little time. Experts say the more time a person spends being overweight or obese, the harder it can be to come to terms with the "new" person that emerges after the weight loss. If we continue to think of ourselves as looking a certain way - in this instance, overweight - our responses to life will continue to be based on who we were, not who we are. Indeed, many successful dieters report it took months or even years to incorporate their new body into their way of thinking about themselves. In the meantime, concentrate on developing a self-image based on what is inside, rather than what is outside. Then, it won’t matter what your size is; you’ll always know exactly who you are!

Is it normal to feel down about your looks after reading a beauty magazine? Does this indicate a problem with self-esteem?

When we have a strong sense of self-esteem - one in which our looks make up only a small part of how we feel about ourselves - then we tend not to lose confidence in the presence of those we perceive to be more beautiful. That said, you’d be hard pressed to find a woman who doesn’t feel at least a little intimidated after thumbing through a fashion magazine! What’s more, studies show that the more we relate to the subject in the photos, the more we tend to judge our own appearance by the same standards. Case in point, a study published in The Journal of Black Studiesin 2004 reported that when black women looked at pictures of attractive white women, it didn’t put so much as a dent in their self-esteem. But when they looked at pictures of attractive black women, they became far more critical about themselves and their appearance. The key to not being affected, say researchers, is to resist comparing yourself to a two-dimensional photograph that, in all likelihood, doesn’t even come close to representing who that person really is.

I’m on a diet, but what can I do to begin feeling better about myself right now?

A desire to feel good about yourself even before you reach your weight loss goal is an important step toward building self-esteem because it shows your attitude doesn’t only equate feeling good with being thin. To keep you going in the right direction, consider these tips for overcoming any body or beauty challenge:  

• Replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive ones.  When you catch yourself thinking, "My thighs are too big," counter that by adding "but my nose is adorable" or any phrase that reminds you of something you like about yourself.
• Make friends with people who have a healthy perspective of their own body image regardless of their weight. Also seek out people who have a healthy relationship with food and don’t rely on eating to nourish their ego.
• Eat healthily! Good health begets more good health and nothing makes you feel as good about yourself as knowing you have a strong and healthy body.
• Get active. Don’t let your size stop you from leading an active life. Exercise will help boost feelings of personal power while helping to balance brain chemistry linked to self-esteem.

Source:- http://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-skin/guide/body-image-and-beauty

Why Diets Fail: 7 Things You Should Know (Part 1)

The research is clear -- diet programs don't work! Professor Steven Hawks of Brigham Young University says, "You would be hard-pressed to review the dietary literature and conclude that you can give people a set of dietary guidelines or restrictions that they will be able to follow in the long term and manage their weight successfully." Dr. Glenn A. Gaesser, in his groundbreaking book Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health concluded that 90 percent of dieters regain all the weight they lose. [1]

Similarly, Professor Traci Mann of UCLA, after conducting a comprehensive analysis of 31 diet studies, concluded that most dieters would have been better off never dieting at all since the majority of them gained all their weight back and more. [2]

Through my research and work with clients, I have learned seven essential insights about people who pursue a weight loss goal. In this three-part series, I discuss those insights and begin answering the question no doubt on many of your minds: What to do instead of diet?

#1: People who try to lose weight often suffer from intense inner and outer criticism.

This is crucial because most people diet in order to feel better about themselves, which almost always means relieving themselves from such criticism. However, dieting in order to reduce self-criticism often fails because the root of the criticism is often deeper and independent of a person's body size or eating habits. Even though the criticism they are most aware of is about their bodies, the fundamental critical attitude almost always shows up in different ways and will resurface with a different focus.

For example, many women disavow their power in the world and in their relationships; in essence, they have learned to be fearful of or antagonistic towards expressing the full measure of their capacities. When this happens, they not only end up criticizing themselves for getting hurt too easily or expressing themselves too strongly, but they also tend to be more critical of their bodies as well. The power they don't use in their outer lives turns against them on the inside! As a result, their inner criticism will not go away by trying to lose weight; it will only go away when the power that fuels it gets used as it is meant to -- in their relationships and in service of their deepest ambitions.

What to do instead of diet? Carefully take account of all the things you criticize yourself about each day. How long have you had this critical attitude? Where did it come from? Think of the first time you were ever criticized. Imagine that you really didn't deserve that criticism. How would you have liked to be treated? What would you say to that person if you could have?

#2: People naturally resist shame and self-hatred, and also subconsciously resist and undermine diets that flow from this motivation.

Another reason not to "listen to" or heed inner criticism about our bodies is that it is invariably mean-spirited, ignorant, and void of wisdom or spiritual perspectives. Thus, it is often far healthier to reject such criticism than accept it and act upon it. In fact, taking a stand against this criticism is an act of power and self-love that not only helps relieve the inner-criticism but can also make it easier to lose weight.

However, people are rarely aware of the fact that it is this very self-love that leads them to resist following through with the diet programs they put themselves on. This is so counter-intuitive to the dieter who wants to lose weight that they will likely even resist what I am saying here and think, "I diet because I care about myself and fail to follow through because of my inadequacy."

I worked with a woman recently who suffered long and hard to lose weight. Some months she did better than others; some years she did better than others. One day she said to me, "I just want to like myself regardless of my weight." Those were some of the sweetest words I ever heard her utter. "What do you like about yourself?" I asked. The time ticked by in silence while we waited. (I am sure some part of her had been waiting far longer.) After a bit I decided to help her by beginning, "I like the purity of your words and desire; I like your simplicity. I like your humanity. I like your spirit. I like how I feel being with you when you talk like this." We both smiled, teary-eyed.

What to do instead of diet? Stop criticizing and shaming yourself for not sticking to your diet plan. Have it out with your critic! Make your critic's words explicit -- say them clearly and out loud and then fight back as intelligently, fiercely, and clearly as you can. This exercise will support your self-love by building a more empowered self. Going further, make a list of other plans, activities, and people you would like to say "no" to and begin practicing immediately.

For example, I once worked with a student of mine on her struggles with diet and body image, in front of her classmates in a psychology course. It was a close-knit group and she felt supported by the other women in the class who also struggled with weight loss. Her name was Sandra and she hated her body and had tried to lose weight for years, failing over and over. Like many women she criticized the way she looked. She was embarrassed to go out, wear certain clothes, order certain foods, or approach men to whom she felt attracted. I modeled the inner criticism she had expressed to me earlier, by saying, "You are fat; you should stay at home, ought to be embarrassed of yourself, and certainly shouldn't think you are worthy of having a partner you are attracted to!" At first she looked wounded and deflated, but when I encouraged her to respond, to fight back, she began to stand up straighter and smile. Just thinking about resisting her inner-criticism make her feel better in addition to the other women in the class who felt similar to Sandra. I asked Sandra where else she was going along with a program or person when she really didn't want to? She said it happened at work and sometimes with her children. Her "homework" was to say "no" to these people more often.

References:

[1] Glenn A. Gaesser, Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health (Carlsbad, CA: Gürze Books, 2002 [1996]), 77.

[2] Traci Mann, A. Janet Tomiyama, Erika Westling, Ann-Marie Lew, Barbra Samuels, and Jason Chatman, "Medicare's search for effective obesity treatments: Diets are not the answer," American Psychologist, 62, no. 3 (2007): 220-233.

This article is by David Bedrick and you can read it here:- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bedrick/why-diets-dont-work_b_3705083.html

Learn to Love Your Body Regardless of Size 

As I was just browsing one of my new and favorite blog finds, sexgenderbody, (which is amazing and worth checking out IMMEDIATELY), a reader poll pertaining to body image appeared on the homepage which reminded me of something I had been meaning to address for quite some time now. As you all know, and hopefully adore, Medicinal Marzipan is at its heart a blog that works to promote self love, positive body image, and personal well-being, as well as negotiating the complicated and often difficult road of one girl traveling towards a place where all of those things are possible. I just wanted to take a moment to reiterate that, while naturally MM is a blog that is fat-positive (due to my own personal struggles and those that I find pressing on a daily basis), it is my hope that this blog can serve as a place to promote self-love no matter what your body type.

I cannot tell you how many times on a daily basis I run into people who are carrying around an unhealthy and unfortunate amount of shame and self-loathing towards their bodies. This guilt and negative emotional pattern can in turn contaminate every part of your life and self-perception, from the clothes that you put on in the morning, to your feelings of acceptance and happiness in your job/friendships/relationships, to your sex life, and (most importantly) to your relationship with your self when you are all alone and there is nothing left to use as a scapegoat for the ultimate reality of your unhappiness. Learning to love yourself regardless of your size is one of the most crucial and beneficial gifts that a person can give themselves. The ripple effects of learning to experience self love will touch every part of your life, improving and lightening the load of your heart with every step.

The reader poll on sexgenderbody states: When I look at myself naked in the mirror, I feel... To which 57% of the responses answered shame. This really resonated with me, because as someone who is no stranger to feeling ashamed when I look at myself in the mirror, I take great sadness in knowing that other people feel the same way. We are limiting ourself with the enormous amount of perpetual shame we feel in regard to the way we look.  Think of how much time you would have in your day if you could teach yourself to replace negative feelings of self-loathing, with feelings of joy and love and abundance.

Perhaps at this moment you are thinking to yourself, well Marizpan, thats just the way I feel and could you please get off of your soap box because I saw you shuffling down the street this morning in a clear and obvious battle with your body not looking like you’re loving much of anything, much less your self.  And you would be right. One of my first thoughts this morning was that I felt fat and uncomfortable and completely undesirable. In fact, I have wasted much of the day feeling this way, but I take comfort in knowing that these thoughts become less frequent everyday, and I love myself now a whole heck of a lot more than I did a year ago.

The most amazing thing about this problem, is that I have found that it lends itself to nearly ALL body types and sizes. And, while I sit secretly imbued in disgust and resentment when a very thin friend of mind regales her negative body image and personal feelings of shame regarding her body, it is important to keep perspective on this point. Nearly everyone, no matter how skinny/tall/perfectly shaped they may look, feels this way about themselves from one time to another. So, it is important to promote healthy body image regardless of size, even when that seems difficult.

Tools for learning to love your body no matter what your size:

• Buy clothing (and, perhaps more importantly, underwear) that fits you and allows you to feel comfortable/sexy/pulled together/happy. STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE SIZE ON THE LABEL. There is nothing worse than feeling like you have to starve yourself for a week to fit into that dress you bought a size too small, because you just couldn’t bring yourself to buy a size 6/14/24/whatever. Getting stressed about getting dressed in the morning has an unfortunate way of ruining your entire day, and sometimes the tight pull of your size-too-small-underwear becomes a constant reminder of your perceived failures all day long. 
• Talk sweetly to yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself how beautiful you look. Bonus points if you can do this naked. Because, remember, you are beautiful, many people probably think so, and a little reminder to your heart here and there will go a long, long way. 
• Do not give people who delight in making you feel fat/ugly/unlovable/unworthy a SINGLE SECOND more of your time. Wash your hands of them (but have compassion, because probably the root of their meanness lies in their own insecurities). 
• Move your body. It is MUCH harder to hate your _insert body part here_ when it is directly responsible for allowing you to walk down the street/carry your groceries/have amazing sex/pick up your children. You will feel better with every step you take. Bonus points for doing something like hula hooping which will both cause you to move your body around, and also allow you to express some sensual creativity. (It is an absolute fact that you cannot feel badly about your body and hula hoop at the same time, this is a 100% smile guaranteer.) 
• Do not sit around with your friends/family/loved ones and bitch about your bodies as a form of social interaction. It hurts you. It hurts them. I am willing to risk my life that you have better things you could be doing with your time.

source:- http://www.operationbeautiful.com/learn-to-love-your-body-regardless-of-size/

Body Image

About body image

• When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?
• Learning to love what you see in the mirror
• More information on about body image

When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?

Is your body image positive or negative? If your answer is negative, you are not alone. Many women in the United States feel pressured to measure up to a certain social and cultural ideal of beauty, which can lead to poor body image. Women are constantly bombarded with "Barbie Doll-like" images. By presenting an ideal that is so difficult to achieve and maintain, the cosmetic and diet product industries are assured of growth and profits. It's no accident that youth is increasingly promoted, along with thinness, as an essential criterion of beauty. The message we're hearing is either "all women need to lose weight" or that the natural aging process is a "disastrous" fate.

Other pressures can come from the people in our lives.

• Family and friends can influence your body image with positive and negative comments.
• A doctor's health advice can be misinterpreted and affect how a woman sees herself and feels about her body.

Learning to love what you see in the mirror

And don't forget your kids!

Parents’ attitudes about appearance and diet can affect their kids' attitudes. Read how topositively influence your child's body image.

We all want to look our best, but a healthy body is not always linked to appearance. In fact, healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes! Changing your body image means changing the way you think about your body. At the same time, healthy lifestyle choices are also key to improving body image.

• Healthy eating can promote healthy skin and hair, along with strong bones.
• Regular exercise has been shown to boost self-esteem, self-image, and energy levels.
• Plenty of rest is key to stress management.

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More information on About body image

Explore other publications and websites

• Body Image (Copyright © Planned Parenthood) - This Web page explains what shapes someone's body image and how it affects overall health. It also has information on how to develop a positive body image.
• Fostering a Positive Self-Image (Copyright © Cleveland Clinic) - This publication describes body image and self-image, and gives tips for improving both.
• The Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) - This online publication provides some basic facts about the influence of the media on body image.
• Twenty Ways to Love Your Body! (Copyright © National Eating Disorders Association) - This fact sheet lists 20 things that can help you learn how to respect and love your body.

Connect with other organizations

• Confidence Coalition
• Mind on the Media
• National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
• National Eating Disorders Association
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Weight-Control Information Network

This article is from Women's Health and you can read it here:- http://womenshealth.gov/body-image/about-body-image/index.html