Our perception of how we look is known as body image. Some

 people are pleased with their body image. However, many more 

dislike one or more aspects of their physical appearance. 

Poor body image can lead to significant problems, including

 depression, eating disorders or other health issues. It doesn't take

 much to alter our body image for the worse. For example, a recent 

study found that  85% women of all sizes felt more negative about 

their bodies after viewing the models in magazine ads. 

Fortunately, there are ways to help boost your body image. 

What You Can and Can't Change 

Improving your body image is as simple as changing your mind 

about how you look. As most of us realize, this is much easier said 

than done. 

However, that doesn't mean it is impossible to shift your feelings

 about your appearance. To start, it may help to realize that virtually 

everybody has hang-ups about some aspect of their bodies. Even 

the most successful and seemingly confident people privately fret 

about at least one of their physical attributes, including the women

 who model for magazine ads. 

It is also important to recognize what you can and cannot change

 about your body. In some cases, it is relatively straightforward to

 change the aspect of your appearance that you dislike. For 

example, changing your eating habits and taking up an exercise

 program can shed pounds if you are unhappy with your weight. 

In other cases, achieving physical change may be more difficult. 

If you dislike the shape of your nose, your only real options are to

 undergo plastic surgery to have it altered or to change your 

perspective on your nose. 

For the things that you can change, focus on establishing goals 

and creating a plan for achieving them. If you want to shed pounds,

 think about ways to improve how you eat and start or intensify an

 exercise regimen. Think as concretely as possible about these 

goals, but without using negative self-talk. 

 Ask the following questions: 

• What foods should I eliminate from my diet?
• Where can I learn about healthier menu items?
• What types of exercise activities do I enjoy?

It is crucial to set a timeframe for these changes, and to put into

 place methods of measuring your progress. The more specific 

you can get the better. 

Negative self-talk is the main source of poor body image. It is all 

too easy to obsess about the handful of things you don't like about

 your body and to forget about all the other aspects of your 

appearance, and your person, that you do like. 

Comparing yourself to others - whether it's the slim girl next door 

or the airbrushed ideals presented by Hollywood and Madison 

Avenue - is sure to undermine your body image. Every person 

has a unique combination of genes that influences how they

 appear. Instead, try concentrating on positive aspects of your 

body and your life.

Many experts suggest that taking a brief moment each day to

 consider at least three positive things about your life can 

substantially reduce negative emotions, including those related to 

body image.The pattern of thinking negatively about your body

 did not occur overnight, and it will take some time to learn more 

positive thoughts and behaviors. But gradually, your body image 

will improve, leaving you to feel happier and more confident in 

your day-to-day life