How often we criticize and put labels on our partners, children, parents, friends, the government. The children are disobedient, the husband/wife are grouchy, and all the parents can think about is their summer house.
But all of those are innocent admonitions, compared to endless dissatisfaction with your body. That’s a ride of thousand miles per hour: big nose, fat arse, huge stomach, splay knees – a freak of nature, basically.
For that matter, why do you treat it like this? Your body is a great worker (constantly moving), a fighter (against diseases and hard times), a source of pleasure (petting, smells, sex, food), and finally, a temple of your soul.
So, from today onwards, I suggest quitting the role of the executioner and the accuser and become a loyal assistant and protector for your body.
- The body wants
Even if the thought of improving and perfecting your body stays with you day and night, you should start this work from something other than hardcore measures. To be precise: cherish it, treat it, indulge it! Attention! Treating it doesn’t mean giving it everything. But you can’t begin to grow love with training sessions. Only with respecting and cherishing your body.
Remember what makes your body feel good and relaxed. Hint: creams, massages, swimming, yoga, walks, sex, silk lingerie… It’s like with a baby: the more you care for him, the more attached you are and the more you love him. So, you must treat you “little one”.
- Unparalleled and incomparable
This means that your body is unique and doesn’t need to be compared to anything! You can compare grades in a diary: if you passed you get an A, if you didn’t, you get an F. The body is different. How can you compare it with others, ignoring things like genetics, age, ecology, lifestyle, etc.? The “backstory” is completely different for everyone – so why should the “finale” be the same for everyone?
So, as soon as you get an idea about comparisons, push it away right there and then, rejoice once again about the uniqueness of your body and treat it again (repeat part 1).
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- Praise me, praise me…
And a small mantra. Part 1: go to a mirror and start praising the body parts you like (or have no issues with). Praise them from the heart and be generous with compliments.
Part 2 is harder: learn to praise the parts you don’t like. In fact, you simply don’t know their appeal. Let’s try it together: your hair is fine but it makes the haircuts more interesting.
- A diamond needs a good setting
Do you also have a box of clothes labeled “if I lose/gain weight/tone my arms/grow out boobs”?
It’s not the best idea to keep pretty clothes in the wardrobe as a motivator to change your body and wear second-rate things. You have to live here and now: buy trendy stuff in your actual size and feel stylish and comfortable.
By the way, if you think that your body looks horrible in any clothes, hire a stylist and update your wardrobe according to their guidance. You’d be surprised how a professional can easily dispel your insecurities about your figure and skillfully highlight the assets you for some reason miss out on.
- Thanks, that’s very kind of you
That’s how you should answer the compliments about your body! And not say things like “aw, that’s just a lucky pants cut”, “oh no, you must be dreaming”, “come on, you flatter me”. Make use of the admiration of others to learn to accept your body. Your loved ones’ looks aren’t clouded by your sheath of self-criticism, so you should trust their opinion and accept the compliments with pleasure.
- Movement is life
What our bodies love the most and what they’re intended for is movement. We’re not talking about mandatory gym classes here (although, they’d like that too). We’re saying that the stronger you feel every muscle, the easier it is to control your body, the quicker you’ll learn to accept and understand its needs. And for that, you have to move. Choose from: any kind of combat, swimming, hiking, yoga, dancing, scooter, rollerblading – as long as you’re enjoying it.
- Unconventional solutions
And a couple more tips about how to “befriend” your body.
- The more straight the back, the more comfortable a person feels in their body. So, don’t “double over”, but square your shoulders with pride and start doing a series of exercises for an attractive posture.
- Interesting fact: if a person doesn’t like some part of their body, they don’t like to touch it or let others touch it. So, in order to accept your body, don’t be afraid to get to know it better, without taboos. Work up the courage and allow a masseuse (or your other half) to work on the “forbidden zone”.
- And one more challenge: get naked (wear a bikini or underwear if you’re modest) and walk around the house. The more “nude walks” like that you take, the quicker you’ll get used to your body and love it, with all its assets and faults.
Let’s be honest – you’ll never have another body, and the one you do have is unique and unparalleled. Accept it with gratitude, take care of it and it’ll respond in kind.
