Guest Author - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

As you learn to love, accept, and appreciate your body, your body image will improve – you’ll feel happier and more satisfied. Loving your body takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to criticizing and condemning yourself.

How to love your body:

Listen to your body. If you feel tired, sleep. If you’re sad, cry. If you’re stiff, stretch or go to a yoga class. If you’re legs are aching, put them up. If you’re hungry, eat.

Recognize the difference between emotional and physical hunger. When you sit down with a bag of chips, are you feeding your stomach or your fears and anxieties?

Avoid getting too hungry or too full. Eat regularly and mindfully.

Give your body healthy food. If you’re physically hungry, choose nutritious foods that provide sustained energy.

Recognize the difference between habits and true needs. Do you eat dessert every night because you’ve learned to crave sugar after meals, or because you have room for a treat? Save the sweets for tomorrow if you’re not hungry.

When you’re afraid, angry, or anxious, talk to a friend or write your feelings in a journal instead of eating, drinking alcohol, or doing drugs.

Massage your own neck, feet, and hands gently and lovingly. Appreciate your strength and health!

Ask for a foot massage from your partner or even a friend – and give one back.

Catch yourself saying negative things (eg., “I’m so stupid for doing that!”). Don’t judge yourself or try to change – just notice when you criticize yourself.

Learn how to compliment yourself. What did you do well today? Ruminate on that for a change – not on the mistakes you made.

Take it a step further:

Appreciate the beauty and skills of other people. Another woman’s gorgeous hair doesn’t change your own style or cut in any way – so enjoy her beauty.

When you notice something good about another person, spread it around. When you share your positive opinions of others, you’ll immediately feel good about yourself.

Do a good turn or two. Fill a parking meter, offer to lighten a load, let someone go ahead of you in line, slow down to allow another car to merge in front of yours.

If YOU don't love and honour your body - who will?