is body image?

 

Body image is your attitude towards your body - how you see yourself, how you think and feel about the way you look and how you think others perceive you. Your body image can be influenced by your own beliefs and

attitudes as well as those of society, the media and peer groups.

 

That beautiful model on the cover of Vogue that is super skinny and looks gaunt. Is that what we all want to look like? I prefer the real life women on the covers of the nutrition magazines. These woman I know eat healthy

foods and live healthy lifestyles.

 

Woman can be beautiful at any shape or size however we also need to promote health and wellbeing. We are our most beautiful when we are taking care of our bodies. We just need to remember that we are all created in different shapes and sizes.

 

When you start to lack confidence in your body, think about what is going on in your life that has caused you to lose that confidence and then implement changes to get that confidence back.

 

How do I do that?

 

Find an exercise program or another physical activity that you enjoy. Get your body moving on a regular basis, at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes. Don't use this exercise as a way to punish your body because you are unhappy with it. Use exercise as a reward to yourself because you love your body and want to feel your best. If you are bored with your current exercise routine, shake it up. Try the new yoga class at the gym or try a one-on-one session. Get outside! Riding your bike or adding a short daily walk to your routine can make profound changes to your body and your mind. Do you have a dog that is just begging to be walked, no more excuses.

 

Spend a little extra time getting ready. Everyone is constantly running around being torn in a multitude of directions and not always having the time to look their best. Have you ever looked into the mirror when were out and said to yourself “I can’t believe I left the house looking like this!” If I spend a little extra time getting out of my yoga pants into my favorite jeans and sweater, blow drying my hair so that it looks better and adding a scarf, I just feel better about the way I look. If I have eaten healthy foods all day and exercised, I feel better and also have more confidence in me. I feel energized and walk with a bounce in my step. Something so simple can truly change your outlook on your day. For you that could be wearing your favorite pair of shoes, getting a new haircut or new jeans or drinking an energizing green smoothie. Everyone is different and will have different things that make them feel good about themselves when they look in

the mirror. Key here is to look in the mirror and love the way you look.  

 

Think about what your body does for you every day. It's exhausting… Your body helps you get around the house, it helps you drive the car, digest your food, exercise... That being said, supplying your body with healthy foods will help it function optimally. If you struggle with health issues and being tired all the time, think about the fuel you are putting into your body. Are

you eating lots of fruits and vegetables or are you feeding your body anti-nutrient foods? Anti-nutrient foods will cause your body to work overtime just to maintain a state of homeostasis.

 

Homeostasis - the body being in balance

 

Our bodies are constantly striving to be in homeostasis just to survive. If we eat healthy foods then our bodies will naturally assimilate them and our bodies won't have to work hard to create the balance between an acidic state and an alkaline state. Healthy foods fuel our bodies naturally. If we eat too many anti-nutrient, processed foods then our bodies will rebel and will work overtime trying to balance our blood pH and will even draw essential minerals from our bones in order to achieve this. This makes us more tired and look and feel unhealthy.

 

One of the best ways to love the way you look is to love the skin you are in. The one thing I find that makes me feel and look healthy is......fresh air. Get outside. Fresh air and a little natural sunshine will do wonders for your

health, skin, hair and your state of mind. So go for that hike in the woods and get back to nature. Or just walk in your neighborhood. Get out of the air conditioned (or heated) stale office air and get that fresh air into your

lungs. You will feel better. I have a great book called 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Dallas. Our family goal is to get through every walk in the book. Some are short paved paths and others are long trails. Every time we go, I feel better about myself and my skin glows from the fresh air.

 

One of the things we do as humans is constantly compare ourselves to other. We need to stop doing this. We are all different shapes and sizes and carry ourselves differently. Two people with the same body weight may

look entirely different. Find the healthy weight that is good for your body type and where you feel good.

 

The only person you ever need to compare yourself with is yourself.

 

Until next time!

 

Cathy Falk

B.A. Holistic Nutritionist