Focusing on my health and exercise is amazing but sometimes I get stuck with the negative self talk when it comes to body image. I know so many of us struggle with this and with all the perfect images we see in those little squares it can get hard not to get trapped down the rabbit hole of negativity. I can also talk up so much positivity to other people and genuinely mean it but when looking at myself I still struggle. Does this sound like you? Feeling this way is the worst so let’s try and focus on all the good instead of the bad! You with me?
Today I am sharing a little glimpse into my own toolkit. I want you to see what I do when I feel like I’m trapped in the negativity and am starting with the negative self talk about my body. There have been so many times I’ve avoided pictures with my kids or activities because I was uncomfortable. Looking back on it I get mad at myself. I missed out on beautiful memories all because I was nervous how my body looked compared to those around me.
I’m not saying this is an easy fix by any means, it is something I work on constantly. So let’s dive into it!
#01 Challenge Negative Thoughts
I’m coming in strong with this one because it is probably the best tip I have. Let’s challenge those negative thoughts. For me this one comes into play a ton when I’m getting ready to go somewhere. I’ll try on so many different outfits, ask my husband if they look ok, and then not believe his answer! I will still convince myself that I look terrible and he is just trying to be nice.
Now that I am aware that I am doing this I challenge those negative thoughts when I have them. To do this I catch myself in the negative space and spin it to something positive. I will stare in that mirror and say at least 2 positive things about myself for every negative thought. The more time you spend saying positive things about yourself the more you will start to believe it.
#02 Avoid Comparison
Yea I know, this one seems obvious, and it is really, but yet we don’t do it so I had to mention it on this list! We need to stop looking at other people and comparing ourselves to them. You do not live the same life as those other people and you do not have the same body or genes as them. Spending your time comparing yourself to them isn’t going to help you at all, it’s just going to make it worse.
I definitely couldn’t make it through this topic without also talking about social media. Let me ask you this, who takes a picture, looks at it and deems it horrible and thinks wow I’m posting this online! Yea no one! No one is posting pictures they hate or look bad in online; they are putting their best foot forward. They are taking pictures at a flattering angle or they are using filters and editing to make it look the best. You can’t compare yourself to that, heck they can’t compare themselves to that!
There is nothing wrong with throwing on a filter or taking pictures that make yourself look and feel your best but you shouldn’t compare yourself to the perfectly staged images online. If you scroll your feed and all you feel is bad, well then it’s time to start hitting that unfollow button!
#03 Think About What Your Body Can Do For You
We spend so much time in negative space and not nearly enough time focused on all the good. I want you to grab a piece of paper and jot down 3 things your body can do for you right now. You can even just use the notes file on your phone!
I’ll go first
- I am strong, I can carry all my groceries in one trip!!
- I can play and keep up with my kids
- I am always ready for an adventure
Our bodies can do so many amazing things for us and yet we still focus on all the negatives! Whenever I feel myself getting stuck in the negative space I do this exercise and even if my answers are similar each time it still helps remind me of all that my body can do and sometimes all you need is that reminder to get you back into a better mind space!
There you have it friends, 3 tips to use when you are struggling with body image or negative self talk! You are strong and beautiful and loved and capable of so many amazing things! Stop letting you talk yourself out of having fun because you don’t look like others around you!
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