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Loathing to Self-Loving

Being happy in our own being and body is more about self-acceptance, self-love and having a positive body image than crash dieting, obsessive worry and excessive exercise. Actually having a positive body image comes from self-love. Changing the way we view or imagine ourselves is possible when we move toward opportunities to nurture ourselves and away from our daily excuses. Although it is commendable to maintain a healthy diet and regular workouts, unconditional love is what makes us feel at home with ourselves regardless of where we are in life. Self-love is essentially self-acceptance that has been acquired through persistent self-loving attention.

Total self-love can be achieved but, as soon as we lose a job, gain weight or go through a break up, self-doubt creeps in. In life things can and do go wrong without notice. Thinking of things that go wrong as healthy challenges instead of attacks on our dream to be perfect can mitigate self-doubt. When we are not comfortable with ourselves we are forced to rely on others to reaffirm our attractiveness, potency and loveable ness.

Self-doubt can lead to us being hyper-focused on a body part that has gotten out of shape, thus feeling flawed. Instead of being obsessed with our physical desirability we need to redirect that attention to the risks of aging, poor diet habits and too little exercise. Most of us have struggled with our body image from one time or another. Being open to life’s repeated lessons and learning to love ourselves without any exceptions are the fundamentals of self-acceptance.

Often we elect to be around people who adore us, but a dose of reality and gentle criticism can help heal an ailing self-image. The truth is that what we see in movies or in glamour magazines are not what we typically see the mirror. Most of us will never be a perfect size 3 or 4 regardless of what we did in the gym or what extreme measures we take.

Even if we are not the perfect size, we can still achieve perfection in our attitude and body image.

The key is to praise ourselves for what we are doing to change unhealthy habits into healthy ones. When we begin to embrace a loveable image of ourselves regardless of our size our journey of self-nurturance begins.

To help support a mind, body and spirit connection, try the self-nurturing steps below. They are designed to help you find your ideal body image and lovingly accept yourself for who you are.

Eating Wisely

• Start with a health breakfast
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Fortify yourself with lots of veggies, fresh fruit and whole grains
• Limit salt, sugar and fat intake
• Stop fad dieting
• Watch your portions and read food labels
• Eat outside of the red zone before 9PM and after 6AM

Exercise Regularly

• Try Yoga, Tai Chi and/or Pilate
• Join a local gym
• Cross train with a coach
• Enroll a fun cardio class
• Power walk with a friend
• Expand Your Mind
• Learn something new
• Attend lectures
• Enroll in a class
• Take a workshop
• Read a new book

Enlighten Your Spirit

• Journal
• Garden and weed
• Meditate
• Stretch
• Hike and take nature Walks

Seek Emotional Well Being

• Join a support group
• Volunteer
• Find a hobby
• Be creative
• Make a decision

Accept & Love Yourself

• Schedule routine medical appointments
• Pamper yourself with a spa treatment
• Look in the mirror and smile
• Accept no more excuses

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© Arlene Unger, Your guide to positive Stress, Relationship, Life and Weight Management.
www.MyPrivateCoach.com
Arlene Unger is the Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience and additional certifications in Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Executive Coaching, Addiction, Nonverbal Therapies, and Communication Disorders Coach at MyPrivateCoach. She can be contacted at info@myprivatecoach.com.
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