There are many ways we can have low self-esteem. Most, if not all come from how to feel about our bodies. In other words, Body Image. There are two main things that I see with my clients day in and day out:
1- They will complain about their bodies as a whole (constantly wanting to lose weight, etc)
AND/OR
2- If they are successfully losing weight at a steady pace or at their goal weight, they will pick apart and complain about certain parts of their bodies they wish they could change ( thighs, butt, legs, hips, arms... you name it, they complain it)
MANY people also have an inaccurate assessment of how "big" they really are. The way they view their body is actually distorted. No matter how in shape they get, how hard they push, how "skinny" they feel, they will always see themselves as being "big". They are dissatisfied with results no matter what, talking themselves down because they feel as though their results should come in larger numbers or they should have worked harder, not ate that piece of cake, worked out 10 more minutes, and so on.
As we all know, and as I have preached numerous times, we NEVER want to fall into a lifestyle of a yo-yo diet. These body image issues are a straight path to a disastrous life of yo-yo ing... Weight preoccupation will include a life of counting calories, using exercise only for weight management (big no no!), or constantly trying to lose more and more weight.
Did you know that studies have found a life of yo-yo ing behaviors will actually lead to "diet-induced overweight". This a permanent state of being overweight, the person is now trapped in the state of constant weigh loss and again weight gain. This is why we need to learn how to listen to our bodies, feed them food for fuel, and exercise to make life happy and healthy.
HOW DO WE GET OUT OF THIS LIFE OF YO YOing AND BAD BODY IMAGE??????!!!!!!!!!
We must teach ourselves the Healthier Living Cycle by following these simple steps:
- Feeling better about yourself
- Self-acceptance
- Self-confidence
- Self-nurturing
- Enjoyable Eating
- Active Living
"Caring for oneself in a way that is truly nourishing and based on one's own needs, rather than society's expectations, can promote a positive body image" (Ominchinski 34).
How can I keep stressing enough that we need to learn how to love and accept our self and our bodies just as they are?! There is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself, and want to better yourself, but you must learn to do it with a positive and loving attitude!! Negative emotions and thoughts will never get you anywhere.
Take these steps to find how to love yourself:
- Find exercise that you enjoy! Don't do Zumba if you hate it, try everything until you love it
- Find time to rest and relax, we all need a little down time
- Acknowledge any health issues you are running into, see your Dr for health screenings
- Buy clothes that fit you right, no matter what the size, clothes that fit right will always make you look and feel better!
- Learn to meet your needs for food, make it your friend, use it for fuel
Please feel free to message me with any questions or concerns, this is not an easy task, and sometimes it is really hard to accept the things that we do not like about ourselves and be able to move on. But don't stop trying... you will be so much happier and healthier once you do!! XOXO
(All of my information is from the course I am studying called: Weight Management for Teens, A Non-Diet Approach to Health and Fitness by Linda Omichinski, RD. It is through ACE )
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