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Renew Your Body Shape and Self Worth
The American concept of beauty
is a lofty standard to measure up to. It’s no wonder
you may be living with a negative physical self-image, but there
is an answer. You have the power to shift your attitude and achieve
a body shape and self worth that you’re truly proud of. Learn
that by setting doable goals for your body and changing your mind
about your abilities, you will renew your relationship with
your body and realize an empowering level of self-esteem.
Negative body image seems to be
a curse of humanity. From foot binding and corsets to fad diets
and control-top pantyhose, each age of recorded history, including
the American concept of beauty, offers a method to manipulate our
natural form to become more desirable. Whatever each era’s
beauty ideal is, the fact is very few men or women meet these standards,
but the quests persist nonetheless, and can too easily leave you
living with a negative physical self image. While you are likely
well aware of human virtue beyond the corporeal, let’s face
it—you do have to live with your body shape and self
worth. So why not learn to love it? Whether you think you’re
too fat, too thin, or too weak, when you continue viewing your body
as imperfect, you damage your confidence and overall self worth.
It may keep you from dating, from enjoying intimacy with your partner,
or from taking a more progressive role in your career. A poor relationship
with your thighs, arms, or breasts doesn’t sound like a valid
reason for missing out on so much, does it? It shouldn’t be—by
changing your mind about your abilities, you transform not only
your body image but also your body itself. Properly challenge your
self-esteem to learn that your body is designed to be a source of
freedom!
Our minds have such immense control
of our bodies, but it’s difficult to truly appreciate this
force unless you’re challenging yourself to physical growth
and success. For example, I know a woman who recently completed
her first mountain bike race. The relay-style format required her
and her teammates to ride a grueling course at all hours of day
and night. She entered the race with no prior racing experience
and without any recreational performance at this level. However,
the effort was a success—she and her team performed beyond
their expectations, placing ahead of many seasoned racers. When
I asked her for an explanation for such a remarkable result, she
credited a complete mental transformation. By deciding that her
body was capable and that she was not inferior to anyone on the
course, she overcame a self-image of a less athletic individual
and replaced it with strength and confidence. In the process, she
also watched her body become stronger and became genuinely proud
of its new form.
This woman’s story is testimony
to the mind’s power to transform the body, and exemplifies
the reward of setting doable goals for your body. Her experience
has changed her relationship with her body. Instead of I wish
my legs were thinner, she now thinks my legs are powerful
and I’m grateful for their ability. The power to shift
your attitude is critical: by finding and pursuing an activity you
enjoy, your body becomes a valuable tool for bringing you pleasure.
Whether you’re energized by exercise-produced endorphins or
enjoy a gorgeous view during your hike, you learn what your body
can do for you. You’ll then want to honor and nurture it, and
you’ll be invigorated with each accomplishment.
My bike-racing friend went on to explain that having
this physical goal also improved her relationship with food by making
the restrictions of eating right a welcome benefit. If you struggle
with body image, you may view food as a bad, guilt-inducing element.
When you give your body a purpose, food becomes essential nourishment.
Once you take pride in your body, you will also discover that you
want to feed it as well as possible. Hence, the combination of exercise
and good nutrition will make you healthier than ever. So, by believing
in your capabilities and choosing a physical goal of any level,
you create a positive cycle with benefits that only increase with
time. You will be empowered by your actual improved energy levels
and learn to accept and love your own body.
Most importantly, you’ll experience a concrete example of
the power your mind has to transform your life. Many of the areas
we seek to improve and grow in don’t offer physical results,
but by pursuing one that does, you’ll gain unwavering confidence
and understanding of your magical potential.
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