Body Image Problems? Get Body Confident

Beach season is upon us. This is the time of year where body image problems really come to the surface. The warm weather brings less fabric and more of our bodies are revealed. Bathing suits and sundresses are the catalysts for packed gyms and portion control and if one is not careful, possible eating disordered behavior. In the past, I worked as a therapist in an outpatient eating disorder treatment center and late spring was our busiest season. As you can imagine, insecurity, lack of confidence and body dissatisfaction were triggered as the summer months approached. So what can you do to get body confident?

Men Have Body Image Problems Too

Women aren't the only ones facing discomfort with their size and shape. A survey from FITNESS Magazine and Yahoo! Shine revealed that men too often overestimate their bodies as too heavy, or not fit enough, leading to unpleasant thoughts about themselves and their bodies.

Everyone’s level of body discomfort varies. Some individuals go to extremes engaging in unhealthy and often life-threatening behaviors to achieve their body image “ideal”. While others may become introverted, depressed, and avoidant. If this is the case, therapy and possible hospitalization may be needed. However, the tools and skills I am going to share with you can be helpful to anyone who is willing to turn their mind to a more body-loving place. Many of my clients, including those in treatment, have given me a “thumbs up” to these skills. Although they may not “fix” the root cause, they can help you get more confident in the moment, which can lead the way to more body satisfaction and self-acceptance.

5 Techniques for Better Body Confidence

1. Get Media Savvy. When we educate ourselves on the media’s tactics, we become much more aware and sometimes even angry consumers. Advertising and marketing tactics can be subconscious triggers for body bashing. Attempting to look like a model or actor is often unobtainable because they don’t even look like the pictures we are exposed to thanks to computer tactics and lighting (aka PhotoShop). Article and product placement, both on TV or in magazines, undergo massive strategic placement in order to make us vulnerable. When we are triggered by an ideal, we are more likely to buy a product in close correlation (next page of the magazine, etc).

Media awareness is invaluable. In fact, many of my clients have stopped buying media that is triggering. It's helped them to see that they were striving towards a false ideal. I suggest looking at the Dove Foundation or Jean Kilbourne’s work on media awareness. Kilboune has been well received by many of the clients and workshops I have led.

Tip: When you read a magazine or watch a TV show, rate your self-esteem before and after. Notice the way the characters or the advertisements make you feel.

2. Ready to Wear. Allison, one of my clients said that she picks out her outfit the night before so she isn’t late or do body checking or negative self-talk. “I have a few go-to outfits that make me feel confident. It also helps me to send a picture to a friend or family member if I am feeling insecure to get their opinion.”

Tip: Make sure this person is a supportive and honest part of your life.

3. Work on Confident Posture. When we stand up straight, walk with assurance, and avoid slumping at our desks, our body really does look more confident. In fact, it makes us look leaner. When we are feeling insecure, our bodies naturally hunch. We lean our shoulders inward and look down rather than ahead. Try to model confident posture whenever you notice you feel insecure.

Tip: Mindfully sit in your chair or walk for 30 seconds with confident posture and notice the difference.

4. Workout. Don’t hit the gym like a maniac or push yourself into a cardio coma. Seriously, these will keep you from achieving any body image or health goal as you're likely to injure yourself. Look for a goal outside your appearance. Focus on your health or doing exercise for a cause. For example, running a 5K for charity or gaining strength to mow the lawn without losing your breath.

Tip: Stretching or short exercise spurts can boost your mood and confidence level. During commercials or if you’ve only got a few minutes, do an ab workout or yoga postures.

5. Affirmations. It may sound "new-agey", however affirmations have been proven to be effective if we look and read over them every day with the willingness to believe them. When you add in how it would feel to “love your body” or even one body part, your body begins to believe it. Starting small, with one body part you do appreciate, will help this process.

Tip: Affirmation Examples
I approve of my body exactly the way it is
I love my body and all of its parts
My body is healthy and strong
I am grateful to have a strong and healthy _______ (pick a body part)

Add your body confident ideas below. The warm months are upon us so get outside, grab some Vitamin D, and build up your relationship with your body.

Take Good Care.

Emily is the author of Express Yourself: A Teen Girls Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are.You can visit Emily’s Guidance Girl website. You can also find her on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.