Guest Author - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Most New Year's Resolutions are dismissed by the end of January because it's hard to change your habits. No matter how good they are for you or how much they'll improve your life, developing new ways of thinking is a huge challenge – but it's definitely doable!

10 tips for making a great body image a habit

1. Visualize success. Picture yourself how and where you want to be: in a supportive, loving relationship with your body, emotionally strong and resilient, or physically healthy. Visualize yourself completing the steps necessary to reach your goals. Savor your feelings of success, happiness, and accomplishment.

2. Explore your discomfort. Why haven't you been able to see your body in a positive light? Are you more comfortable feeling fat, ugly, or unhealthy? Perhaps viewing yourself highly, being thin, or achieving your goals is frightening. Figure out why you're resisting this change in your life. Maybe you're just being lazy and need self-discipline, or maybe something deeper is happening in your psyche. Spend some quiet time meditating, praying, or writing to uncover your resistance.

3. Take one step at a time. If honoring and loving your body is your goal, start small. Appreciate your hands for what they do; feel grateful for your legs and feet because they carry you around. Slowly move towards the more difficult body parts to love, such as your belly, thighs, or tush. Learning to love every body part is what makes a great body image a habit.

4. Make symbolic changes. Get a new haircut or new glasses. Try roller blading or line dancing. Do different things, try activities you wouldn't normally do. Do something little – and fun! – to symbolize the bigger change you want to make in your life.

5. Be aware of your actions. Make sure your behaviors are in line with your goals. If you want a healthy body image, train your mind to stop hating your varicose veins or graying hair. If you want to lose weight, think twice before you eat the whole banana split. If you want others to treat you with respect, treat yourself (and them) with respect.

6. Focus on the end result. It may help to remember what you're working towards: enjoying your body no matter what your size and shape is or honoring your attempts to live healthier. Who do you want to be? Let your mind settle on your goals daily – and take small steps toward being that woman.

7. Monitor your thoughts. Get rid of "all or nothing" thinking. For instance, your new commitment to a great body image isn't blown if you beat yourself up for overindulging in cookie dough ice cream or if you let negative thoughts about your thighs creep into your mind. When you slip up, use your experience to be stronger and more committed in the long run.

8. Join a formal support group. If you want to exercise more, buy a Pilates or Yoga session pass. Make it a goal to not only go to all the classes, but to make a friend or two. If losing weight is your goal, join LA Weight Loss or Jenny Craig – or enlist the support of a friend.

9. Nurture your mind, body, and soul. Get enough sleep. Eat nutritiously. Spend time with yourself, with God, with nature. Practice peace and well-being. Use your body for work, and enjoy it with pleasure. Take deep breaths. Laugh.

10. Celebrate your progress. When you start to love the skin you're in or feel great about yourself even if you wish your nose was smaller – celebrate it! Enjoy the small steps you've taken…and get excited for the larger ones to come.