Body Image Boosters

  •  Live life out loud – dance, swim, wear shorts, enjoy a picnic, eat a donut – whatever size and shape you are.
  • Stop weighing yourself.
  • Stop dieting.
  • Don’t put your life on hold until you reach your ‘ideal’ weight. Do the things you’ve been wanting to do NOW.
  • Be a whole person. Achieve in other areas and refocus on things you enjoy.
  • Look at real people’s bodies and faces – the more we see a diverse range of people the less power ‘created’ images will have over us.
  • Practice guilt-free eating.
  • Appreciate all that your body can do; running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.
  • Get physical for fun. There are lots of ways to be active like throwing a Frisbee, going for a walk, swimming, rollerblading, playing beach cricket, yoga – anything combining movement and enjoyment that you will want to keep doing.
  • Keep a top-10 list of things you like about yourself — things that aren’t related to how much you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often.
  • When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness.
  • Surround yourself with positive people. It is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you are.
  • Accept their compliments.
  • Every time you see a magazine article telling you to be thinner, exercise more or wear more flattering clothes – don’t let it hang like a personal accusation – ask what are they selling?
  • Challenge ‘stinking thinking’ (thinking in extremes – if I’m not thin then I’ll be ugly)
  • When you start giving yourself a hard time – cut yourself slack. No body’s perfect.
  • Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body.
  • Accept your genes. Look at family photographs and recognise family characteristics without judging them good or bad.
  • Do something kind for yourself — take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful place outside to relax.
  • Think about all the things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend worrying about your body and appearance. Try one!
  • Strut your stuff – show the world your talents.
  • Educate yourself – there are some great books to inspire us.