Article of the Week

How to Love Your Body

Don’t you just hate it when you meet a friend you haven’t seen in a long time and he or she makes a negative comment about your body? You don’t feel so good about seeing them, do you? It’s unfortunate but we Filipinos have this ugly and politically incorrect habit of making all kinds of comments about other people’s bodies. And it’s not just people you are close to you who do it. Even people like your hairdresser or manicurist feel they have the right to say things about your body.

It’s bad enough that other people can be vocal about how you look but it is worse when you make negative statements about your own body. That’s right; you can be your worst enemy. Far too many of us say awful things about various parts of our own anatomy. This can be just as damaging to our self-esteem as when someone else does it.

You shouldn’t allow other people to make hurtful comments about your physical appearance but neither should you allow yourself to do the same thing. We cannot always control what other people do but we definitely have control over what we do.

Marriages can end up in separation and divorce, but for better or for worse, we are stuck with our bodies “till death do us part”. It’s the only one we will have in this life and that’s why we should cherish, respect, and love it. This means giving it nutritious food and regular exercise. It also means accepting whatever “flaws” you have that you cannot change or would have to change your lifestyle so drastically to improve that you wouldn’t have a normal life anymore.

There is nothing wrong with having cosmetic surgery or with spending money on dermatologic treatments and exercise programs that can improve those flaws. But let’s face it; there are some things that you just cannot change like your height, the width of your hip bones, and your basic body type. So at some point, you will have to accept and love your body the way it is. Not just grudgingly but cheerfully. Here are some practical tips to start a love affair with your body, no matter what shape it is in right now.

Make a list about what you like about your body and what you don’t like. Everyone’s physical appearance has strengths and weaknesses. You might have a tendency towards fatty arms but you have nice firm legs.
Be realistic about what you don’t like. Is it because you have not taken care of your body? You might be complaining about having soft abs but you don’t do any abdominal exercises to firm up your mid-section. If this is the case, then take action.
Do you dislike your body because you are comparing yourself to someone you admire but who has a totally different body type and size? That is not a fair comparison and can only lead to frustration and an unhealthy body image. If you feel you need a role model, choose someone who has a similar body structure.
Take a reality check and look at the people around you. Realize that very few people have “perfect” bodies. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Be aware that the models and celebrities you see in fashion and lifestyle magazines look the way they do because they have the advantage of fashion stylists, make up artists, hairdressers, professional lighting, and sometimes a little help from digital artists who can do magic with computer editing.
Learn to use clothes properly to enhance your body’s strengths and hide your body’s weaknesses. You may not look good in skirts but you look smashing in pants. A book that can help you discover the best way to dress for your body shape is “What Not to Wear” by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. They have excellent advice for even the most problematic figure types.

Body acceptance.
To love your body, you must be comfortable with your appearance. Dr. Elena Ramirez, staff psychologist at a Vermont weight and health management center, shared with Prevention magazine a body image exercise to encourage body acceptance.

Ramirez says to slowly acclimate yourself to your image in the mirror by spending a few seconds a day looking at yourself with clothes on. As the days pass, wear less clothes, until you are looking at your body completely naked for a few minutes at a time.

Ramirez says that many people cringe at looking at their bodies and develop unrealistic ideas of what it really looks like. By facing your fears, you conquer them.

This exercise helps you to love your body in a healthy way - celebrate your good points, resolve to change whatever bad points are within your power to change, and peacefully accept that which you cannot change.