My Body Image Workout

Having a healthy body image is as important as having a healthy body. Unfortunately, the two often don’t go hand in hand. I am an example of the two not getting along with each other as I have battled with body dysmorphia most of my life, even though I know I am fit and healthy and in pretty good shape. I have learnt that the mind is powerful and is very clever at confusing reality from perception.

My journey has lead me to self discovery which started with awareness. I had the courage to admit to myself that my outlook on my body was negative and there is nothing more unhealthy than negativity. As we know, this distorted perception is too common within the society we live in.

I began researching on this topic and learnt that women are much more critical of their appearance than men. Up to 8 out of 10 women will be dissatisfied with their reflection and more than half may see a distorted image. This piece of information was disturbing as you would imagine yet didn’t surprise me.

How are women or men possibly able to escape factors such as television, billboards, magazines and not to mention the ever so fast and spreading influence of social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter, to name a few. Standards of beauty have in fact become harder and harder to attain, particularly for women. The current media ideal of thinness for women is achievable by less than 5% of the female population. It has become a vicious cycle and it’s time we take action to STOP IT!

So how do we make the little voice in our heads that tell us what ‘is’ stop? The first steps is self awareness and I can’t stress this enough. Once you say it out loud to yourself (don’t worry, don’t feel weird talking to yourself out loud) it becomes real. After you have acknowledged the pattern you have gotten yourself into, it’s time for action. When I say action, don’t focus on the end goal because reality is, we don’t know what that is. We must remember to focus on the now and the smallest achievements have bigger impacts than you may think. Even if you’re thinking to yourself, “I’ll always be like this, I’ll never be able to silence the negative voice within”, just think, has that attitude served you well in the past? No? Well I’m not surprised because I’ve been the same. So instead of doing the same old thing that is ever so predictable and trying. How about let’s just try this new attitude and even if we need to fake it till we make it… It’s at least something new and different to the same old story we have been telling ourselves for years.

I have found a few things that have worked wonders for me, here are just a few…

1. Exercise Regularly

Research has shown that our perception of our body’s improve when we exercise even if there has been no physical change. In 2009, Professor Heather Hausenblas conducted a study that revealed, 'the simple act of exercise and not fitness itself can convince you that you look better and if you are a woman, this effect is even greater.’ Okay, so we now know that exercise is vital to our path of positive self perception. What’s next?

1. Buy some new workout gear

Wearing the right products can make all the difference and give you a real confidence booster. In the next few weeks I will be sharing to you my personal styling tips that are designed to accentuate your best features.

1. Fake it till you make it

Walk down the street like you are the most gorgeous person on earth. Just try it. Be confident, smile and look people in the eye. Turn on your inner glow that has been waiting to shine. In fact, did you know half smiling and when i say half smiling, it’s not the fake big smile we put on in photos, I’m talking about grinning has proven to make us as humans happier? Smiling is science, how cool is that?

1. Engage in positive self-talk

Say nice things to yourself because let’s face it, what did you do to deserve such negativity? You’re not a horrible person, so stop letting your body believe that. When you find yourself being negative – cut yourself short. YOU are in charge of your own thoughts and although we can tend to think otherwise, no one is more in control of yourself than you are.

1. Go on a media diet

Stay away from magazines and social media that makes you feel bad about yourself. Look for images of real people, doing real things and living in the real world. Consume yourself with fact, nothing is more sexy that educating yourself.

1. Stand in front of the mirror and focus on what you love about yourself.

We all have certain features that we like. What are they? Look at those features and speak out loud (remember we are so focused inside our heads, this is why I believe it's important to speak out loud to ourselves) and list the specific characteristics that make you proud of that feature. Comparison is the thief of joy – just be you and stop comparing yourself to people that aren’t you. We are unique for a reason.

1. Practice being grateful everyday

Not so long ago I was having a ‘fat day’ until I walked past someone in a wheelchair. In moment like this it’s important not do the negative comparison game that I mentioned above, instead take these moments to be grateful for your body, your health and all the special things in your life.

1. Seek out people who make you feel good about yourself

What better way to be positive by surrounding yourself with positivity? It’s the most simple solution and it works, trust me. One of the most important people in my life that surrounds me with positivity is my amazing partner who I’m so lucky to have in my life. Even if I don’t see it, he thinks I am a super model and the most beautiful woman in the world. And If he thinks so, that good enough for me ☺

When I started Fybr, I wanted to create something that was uplifting, inspiring and motivating . I wanted it to depict real woman, doing real things. I want you to feel good about yourself every time you interact with fybr, whether it’s buying a new outfit, checking out our Instagram or viewing a post on fybr’s Facebook. You deserve to feel good and we want to make you feel good everyday.

You are all you need to be anything you want (you gorgeous thing, you)

Fybr – Be what you are made of.