The Best Ways To Boost Your Body Image

We live in a world packed with images of what a “perfect” body looks like, so it’s no wonder that poor body image is an issue that many of us suffer from. However, just because we may be feeling down about the way we look, it doesn’t mean that we can't overcome these feelings. Body image issues can start to affect our self-confidence, so it’s essential that we learn to see ourselves in a more positive light - as the amazing creations we each are!

1. Stop Comparing Yourself
There is no perfect or proper way to look, so comparing yourself to someone else is completely pointless in the grand scheme of things. I think even the beautiful and “perfect” celebrity that we idolize has issues with the way she or he looks, and may even want to look a little more like you beautiful!  I know I fall into the comparison trap a lot with social media and the perfect squares we all try to put out there, but, coming off social media for a little while and ditching the the "perfect" (read airbrushed galore) fashion magazines can be helpful if you want to stop comparing yourself. I think understanding that you are a special creation and only you can do the things you were put on this earth to do can be one way to free ourselves from the comparison trap - because there is actually no comparison at all! 

2. Focus on Strong and Healthy
I don't think workouts or everything we eat and drink should always be around losing weight or being super thin.  To me, that has been a vicious cycle and candidly I still struggle with it.   I have really tried to make the focus of my workouts and food to be "strong" and "healthy."  Those are empowering words to me rather than a defeating words (and frankly illusive in my 41 years) to "lose weight."  I hope that focus on strong and healthy will give a positive spin on what some folks - including me - deal with when we think about workouts and eating.

3. Change What You Can
While it’s important to accept yourself as you are, sometimes that just seems like an impossible task or you just decide you really want to change things. Luckily, you are not powerless, and if there is something that you really don’t like about yourself, nowadays there are ways to change it. If you have read my blog for a while you know that I have gotten some help from my doctors from time to time. I spent my fair share of time reviewing surgery videos and researching cosmetic surgery to see what I wanted to do. I found some good doctors that I really trusted and I have been happy with all my results (and if you have questions, ask away! I have done botox, fillers, coolsculpting, ulherapy, IPL, and liposuction - I think that's it?!).  But before you go under any knives I do recommend smaller changes because surgery can be a big step.  Before you take major steps, make sure that you’re certain beforehand. 

4. Get A Supportive Tribe
If you’re struggling with your body image, I think it’s essential that you surround yourself with people that have a positive influence on your, rather than those that make you feel worse about yourself or encourage bad habits. My best friends and I hit 40 last year and we really started focusing on our collective health.  These friends motivate me to exercise and eat healthy meals together - although we do allows ourselves nights out for a balance. The short of it is, I love having my friends supporting me in my journey and it certainly helps me to know I am not alone in my struggle for a positive body image.

Everyone struggles with the way they look from time to time, but if you focus on your own worth which is incomparable and immeasurable I think you may start to see how fabulous, fun, and fierce you really are!  I have linked some of my "strong" and "healthy" items below that have really helped me feel better about myself are below.  What are your best tips to really appreciating how great you really are?