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Body image: an extreme power.  Poor body image affects most people at some stage in their life but is particularly common within the fitness industry.  The most common body image issue within the population is perceiving your body to be bigger than it actually is (i.e. your shape and weight) though some may obsess over specific aspects such as colour, breast or muscle size and so on. 

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The thing is, it’s not actually about your size or shape and manipulating your weight in an attempt to improve upon it can often make things worse. It’s a lot more complex than that, as you’ll see.

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Body Image Explained

 

Simply put, your body image is how you see your body, feel about your body and behave as a result of your body image. For example, those suffering with Anorexia do not see their bodies as thin, feel uncomfortable about this and react by restricting food intake to attempt to feel better about themselves. 

 

It sounds fairly straight-forward though, right? If you can change how you feel by changing your body, it only makes sense to react like this. The problem is: body image doesn’t really have much to do with your body at all; and trying to control how you feel by controlling your body shape isn’t very effective. Trust me on this. 

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Body image is a physical manifestation of how you feel about yourself, your environment and satisfaction in life.

 

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What Impacts Your Body Image?

 

Most of us instantly blame the media and the pressure it puts on us to look and be a certain way in order to be accepted. This is a form of external validation (looking for other’s approval or praise when you lack your own). Of course the media plays a role by idealizing the “perfect body” at any given time but when you dig a little deeper you’ll find the root of the problem is a lot more complex than the media.  

Body image issues almost always arise from a feeling of inadequacy or dissatisfaction with your life or environment; such as your sense of belonging, where you stand in your career, level of education, marital status and overall sense of self-worth. These are the areas of your life you need fulfilled or satisfied because these are the things that give your life purpose and sense of direction. For example, if you don’t feel valued at work you may try and find value in yourself through other means.  In other words, change your appearance in an attempt to change how you feel. As I’ve mentioned already; this does not work. 

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At all.

 

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What Does It Affect?

 

Poor body image can negatively affect your confidence, self-esteem and the courage to make changes in your life, despite how positive these may be. It can even result in social isolation, self-hatred, self-starvation or binge-eating; which in turn negatively affect your body image. It’s a vicious circle that too many of us orbit.

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When Are We Most Vulnerable?

 

Think about when you felt the most confident about your body. Did you have friends and a social life? Were you praised at work when you did a good job? Did you feel like you belonged to something bigger than yourself? 

You probably did.

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Now think about when you felt most self-conscious of your body and ask yourself the same questions above. The answers are different now, aren’t they? 

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Personally I felt most self-conscious during times of change in my life; such as puberty, the transition from school to college and when exposed to new and unfamiliar experiences.  I found the transition from school to college quite difficult as everything was brand new; new people, new courses and a brand new societal norm. Nobody likes change because change brings with it uncertainty and the inability to control the outcome of a situation. When faced with such uncertainty and lack of control some resort to controlling something. Something more black and white, or predictable. Something like your body weight. 

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The caveat here is the more you fixate on something the more problems you will find.  Your mind is a powerful thing. If you can’t find a problem you will create one - where none exists.

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Battling Negative Body Image

 

As I’ve mentioned: change is difficult whether it be positive or negative. It’s not the change we fear but the unfamiliarity with what’s to come. Despite the fact that this change could in fact be a very positive one (such as pregnancy or changing your body weight to that of a healthier, more sustainable one) the process of change remains difficult.

Instead of focusing on how you might look, think about the positive effects this change will have on your life. If you are overweight, think about how you’re adding longevity to your life. If you are underweight, think about the energy you will have when at a healthier and more sustainable weight. 

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With a more positive outlook on the change you are making you will directly improve your confidence and self-esteem by proving to yourself that you can make a change and live to tell the tale. Not all change needs to be bad, or scary, does it? 

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You are strong and you have the power to take control of your life even if you’re unsure of how it will all work out. You can make a goal and despite the apprehension and fear associated with it, you can meet this goal.  

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Confidence is not measured in a dress size.

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Practicing Positive Body Image

 

As I’ve mentioned; body image is less to do with your BODY and more to do with YOU and your self-esteem. Instead of projecting those feelings onto your body and attempting to change how you feel ask yourself 

“Where else do I see value in myself?”

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Are you a good friend, spouse or mentor? Are you dependable or trustworthy? Will being a different shape change your situation or current feelings?

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Do it. Ask yourself those questions and remember your answers the next time you start body shaming.  You are valued regardless of what shape you are.

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Try to stay positive about the situation and embrace the change – don’t fear it. Instead of saying “I need to lose weight because I’m fat”, say “I would like to be healthier and I am taking action to get there”. Negativity breeds negativity.

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Quit the social media comparisons. It’s no secret that social media is laced with fake naturals and “Photo-shopped” images of unhealthy and unsustainable bodies. Trust me: no one has abs all year round.

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Take pride in your appearance. Now, I am not promoting narcissism here but taking the time to look after yourself is important because it teaches you to respect your body from the

 

outside in. I don’t mean wear a ball-gown to work every day but small things such as keeping your skin clean and hair brushed, wearing your favorite outfit, ensuring you are resting and eating enough and so on. It’s these little things that teach you to value and respect yourself and in an ongoing manner – not just when you have hit a particular weight or shape.

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Take Home Message

 

Most of us will suffer with negative body image at some stage in our lives - usually during times of change such as weight gain or loss, pregnancy and transitions from different stages of life. If allowed to fester, negative body image can seriously impact your quality of life.

Taking the steps to improve your body image is a learning process and can take months to overcome but by taking action

 

 

Michelle Kickham - @michelle_kickham 

• Writer for Bulk Powders (www.bulkpowders.co.uk)

• PhD, Scientist, recovered from anorexia.