CELEBRATE YOURSELF. CELEBRATE YOUR BODY!

I think many, many women (and men) grew up with poor body image. It's quite understandable given the societal influence that girls are exposed to at such an early age. Yet isn't this something we should grow out of? Wouldn't adult logic and reason take the forefront as grown women accept themselves and their bodies? Unfortunately not. The effects linger long after.....

I wanted to talk about body image because much of the time spent exercising and losing weight involves an emphasis on the body - shape, weight, strength, conditioning. As someone who grew up with a poor body image, it can be difficult to have an unusual amount of focus on my body. Growing up I can remember being teased. I specifically remember a group teasing me by calling me a "Hungry Hungry Hippo" and singing the commercial for the game. I was teased about my body, my hair, my clothing style and anything else other school kids could find to pick on me. I would bike to the pharmacy and buy diet pills and hope they would perform magic to make me thin, beautiful and acceptable to others. Other times I would eat nothing and journal in my diary the number of days I had successfully gone without food. And I remember as a 5th grader, a fellow classmate came up to me, confessed she had a conversation with her mom about me and her mom clearly stated that one day I would be beautiful despite the teasing. I was shocked - first of all that she would tell me - and secondly that an adult could try to predict a future that seemed to impossible to me! Yet above all of this - I was never overweight to begin with! The teasing in addition to other factors led to a negative body image.

What is body image?

• How you see yourself in the mirror or your mind.
• What you believe about your own appearance.
• How you feel about the size, height, shape and weight of your body
• How you sense and control your body as you move...i.e. how you feel IN your body.

What is negative body image?

• A distorted perception of your shape.
• You are convinced that only other people are attractive and that your body size or shape is a sign of personal failure.
• You feel ashamed, self-conscious and anxious about your body.
• You feel uncomfortable and awkward in your body.

What is positive body image?

• A clear, true perception of your shape.
• You celebrate and appreciate your natural body shape and understand that a person's physical appearance says very little about their character and value as a person.
• You feel proud and accepting of your unique body and refuse to spend an unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight and calories.
• You feel comfortable and confident in your body.

Did you know that people with negative body image have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder? I clearly remember my friend Paula in high school. She had an eating disorder which she tried to hide from her friends and family. She was bulemic. At the time I had no idea there was even a term for the abuse she was inflicting on her body.

Did you know that people with a negative body image have a great likelihood of suffering from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem and obsessions with weight loss?

With all of this being said, this will be very difficult for me but I would like to "celebrate" the parts of my body that I actually like!! It may only be a tiny freckle or an unusal spot no one can even see - but it's a step in the right direction! Besides, one celebration deserves another so please celebrate your body by exclaiming what parts you like as well!!!!

I celebrate the following parts of my body (this is so weird! lol) My eyes, my hair, my ankles, my dimples, the freckle by my right hip, my strength....I can't do anymore but it's a start!

Please celebrate yourself as you celebrate your body!!