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Most people are so obsessed with being acceptable in the eyes of other people that they forget a really important part of the equation: how they see themselves. The truth is that if you have a poor body image then no amount of weight loss will help. That is, no matter what weight you are, you will still be unhappy with the way you look. From the moment we are born, we are bombarded with images of the ideal woman. My first introduction to this was at the tender age of three when I was playing dress-up Barbie with my brother. (Yes, my brother...go figure). From that moment onwards it never occurred to me that I would not grow up with legs that reached the sky, full breasts and a tiny bum. The way you see yourself has a great impact on your happiness. So here are my top 10 tips for beating the body image blues: ONE: Throw Away Glossy Magazines Glossy Magazines are doctored, altered and airbrushed. The images of women you see in these magazines are not real; yet when we look at them we can be sucked into the false image of beauty that NOBODY (not even the models that pose for these mag) can live up to. Do yourself a favour and refuse to buy into the madness. TWO: Put Away Your Scales While the bathroom scales can give you a good indication of how your weight loss is coming along, they can also be a source of depression and anxiety. If your self esteem is based upon the number on the scales then try putting them away and taking them out only once every two weeks. You will find that your anxiety levels drop dramatically. THREE: Cut Down Mirror-Checking How many times during the day to you check your reflection in the mirror? You may be surprised at the amount of time you spend obsessing over your refection. Make a conscious effort to cut down on your mirror checking and you will rapidly improve your body image. FOUR: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others Comparing yourself to others is every bit as futile as worrying about getting older or dying. No matter how much weight you lose, how much surgery you have or how much make-up you wear, there will always be somebody younger, prettier, thinner and more successful. This is inevitable, so why let it get to you? Focus on who you are as a person instead. FIVE: Don't Watch Music Videos Music videos nearly always full of beautiful young girls whose images are doctored to reflect the mass-media message that youth reigns supreme. Don't buy into this! You are an intelligent valid human being who deserves to be happy and successful no matter what you look like. SIX: Embrace Your Own Special-Ness On that point of validity, let me say this: There may be many people who can do what you do but nobody and I mean NOBODY can do it quite like you. You are a unique, special human being who has something that no-one else on this planet can offer; your own special-ness. It's time to embrace yourself. SEVEN: Focus On Your Strengths What do you do best? What makes you stand out from the crowd? Take some time to reflect on this and as you do you will release that you are so much more than your physical body. Begin to recognise yourself as a whole being, not just a person who is to be judged on her physical appearance alone. EIGHT: Think About Death Yeah I know this one sounds strange; but we really don't touch on this subject much in Western society. The truth is, you may not be here tomorrow. There's nothing like a brush with death to remind us of what is REALLY important. Now I'm not suggesting that you actually have a brush with death. I am suggesting that you think like a Buddhist and recognise how precious a human life is. As you do this, you will become less self-focused and less body-obsessed. NINE: Be Grateful Write down all the good things you have in your life. I'm betting very few of them have anything to do with the way you look. Life is multi-dimensional, so focus on the things you love about your life and you will draw even more wonderful things to you. TEN: Take Time to Relax There's nothing like daily meditation to bring balance into your life. As you learn to relax you will find the things that used to bother you will no longer be important. A healthy mind is very important in developing a good body image. So take the time each day to relax, unwind and leave the troubles of the world behind you. Whatever you think weight loss will give you bring more of that quality into your life right now. So for example, if you think losing weight will help you to accept yourself more, then work on accepting yourself right now. As you learn to accept yourself as you are right now, ironically you will lose weight more easily than ever.
Sonia Devine is one of Australia's leading experts in weight loss hypnotherapy. Want to learn more about how to achieve a better body image? Claim your FREE Weight Loss E-book here => loveyourselfslim.com.au/free_stuff
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