Fitness Buzz: The Power of Positive Body Image

Fitness Buzz: March 26, 2008

The Power of Positive Body Image

If you haven't had a chance to watch Carson Kressley's new show on Lifetime called How to Look Good Naked, then I suggest you check it out. The show's concept is simple: getting women to accept their uniquely beautiful bodies by embracing their best qualities. It's a deeply emotional experience for these women, many of who have a hard time facing the mirror in the morning just to get dressed. Carson's razor-sharp wit and innate sense of style make the show a breath of fresh air. And the message sent to the audience about beauty is a powerful one: It's important to love yourself for who you are and what you've got, no matter what.

In one episode, Carson gets a woman to extend her arms out to the side and wave her "bat wings." Sounds horrible, right? But then he points out, "Now, how many times do you do that in real life?!" After he instructs her to lower her arms again, he points out her fabulous legs and décolletage, sharing some tricks for highlighting those areas with her wardrobe. At this point the woman is beaming, and even shedding a few tears of joy. The technique here, of course, is simply accentuating the positive. It seems easy enough – but it's a surprisingly powerful tool.

Most of my newsletters focus on food and fitness, but this show inspired me to hone in on another important topic: body image. Why? Because if you don't have a positive (and yes, loving) relationship with your body, no diet or exercise plan is going to be enough.

There's no denying that we all have little areas we'd like to shape up, or trade in. But with the media constantly barraging us with an unrealistic (and often unhealthy) idea of the so-called perfect body, it's important to "turn down the volume" on that racket and gain some perspective. Our obsession with being "thin" is actually a pet peeve of mine – I often joke that I'm a "fitness expert," not a "skinny expert."

If body image issues are plaguing you, it's time to gain some perspective and take action. Treat it like any other addiction: The first step is to identify the problem at its root. That starts with the language you use, or the images that come to mind, when you think about your body. For example, if you often tell yourself that you have a "fat, ugly stomach," you can stop right there. The problem isn't your stomach – even if it is an area you'd like to change or improve. The problem lies in the way you "talk" to yourself. So try being your own best friend. In other words, you would never say to a friend, "You have a fat, ugly stomach." That rule goes for your own self-talk, too. Instead, start with the facts (and nothing but the facts). Perhaps the true statement in this case would be, "I have a 36-inch waist and I want to tone my midsection." Now you're talking.

Every time I work with someone on an exercise program, I emphasize the importance of positive body image. Not only for your mental and emotional health, but because you can't underestimate the "little voice" that drives you out the door in the morning for a walk, or a workout, or a yoga class. If that voice is a negative one, chances are good that you'll do whatever you can to avoid it – which often leads to giving up completely. However, if you can teach that voice to sing a different tune, you'll begin to love the skin you're in. And best of all? You'll feel great naked, no matter what.

Share your comments or questions with us, contact info@kathysmith.com

Like any skill, learning to appreciate and love your body simply takes practice. We all know the first step is to shift your mindset so that you view yourself through a positive, softer "lens." But how does that process really happen? Here are some doable tips to help change the way you view your body:

Zoom Out! Don't waste time breaking down every flaw you see in the mirror. Instead, "zoom out" to take in the big picture – almost like a work of art. And avoid those extremely magnifying mirrors that create a "funhouse" effect. They distort your image and encourage too much self-scrutinizing – and there's nothing fun about that.
Lose The Fat Fear. Even though you may want to lose 10 pounds of belly fat, approach your eating plan as if you're on a mission to boost your endurance, lower your heart rate, and gain more energy. By shifting your focus from the fear of fat to the benefits of being fit, you'll find the motivation to keep going.
Make It A Family Affair. Reconsider your own body image, and help your kids do the same. Ask them what they think about their own bodies—even if you think you already know. Help them filter out the media's unhealthy messages by sharing with them that what they see on TV and in magazines is not an honest reflection of real life.

DID YOU KNOW?
According to BodyImageHealth.org, a site run by Kathy J. Kater, a noted authority on body image issues, nearly half of normal-weight girls from third through sixth grade say they want to be thinner; one-third of those girls have already restricted their eating in order to lose weight, and 78 percent say they are very afraid of becoming fat.
Remember The Magic Of Movement. A surefire way to get more comfortable with your body is to simply get moving. Dance-based exercise can really "shake off" those thoughts of self-doubt. Check out my Flex Appeal DVD or try my Latin Dance Workout. After all, what better way to embrace your body than to celebrate it?