How To Change Your Body Image, and How It’ll Change Your Life.
"We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.” - Anais Nin
I saw this quote and immediately thought of one thing… body image.
How is it, that one day you can wake up and see your body and think, “I look good,” and then, quite literally, the next day wake up and think, “I look like garbage. I’m so disgusted in myself.”
Physically, your body hasn’t changed much from one day to the next. It can’t. Physically can’t.
Body image isn’t physical, it’s mental and it’s emotional.
It’s both the mental picture you have in your head and the way you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. You can’t change body image by changing your body.
That’s why the people that lose those “x” about of lbs, are always chasing the last 5-10.
That’s why, even people with physiques most people long to have, hate their bodies.
That’s why even people with extremely thin bodies, still suffer from body dysmorphia.
Because body image is mental.
Here’s a graphic that I came across about how body image and self-esteem can impact your mental health:
“We do not see things as they are.”
We don’t see our bodies for what they are…
Vessels that allow us to experience the world around us.
Wonderfully Autonomous - You don’t need to think about blinking, breathing, digesting, etc.
Regenerative - What our tissues and cells are doing at any given point in time is a miracle.
Self-Healing - You get a cut, your body knows what to do.
“We see things as we are.”
We see things based on the state we're in:
If you’re in a bad mood = negative body image
If you’re not doing things that bring you joy = negative body image
If you’re not feeling well (sick, stomach upset, etc.) = negative body image
Here’s the thing. I understand having a “positive” body image is difficult to do sometimes. So I don’t advocate for “body positivity” as much as I do for “body neutrality” and all that means is that regardless of how you feel about your body at any given point in time, your body still deserves respect. No extreme dieting. No working out extra at the gym as a punishment. No pinching and pulling at your skin “aka body checking.” None of that. That’s not nice.
Regardless of how you feel about it, your body does A LOT for you, it deserves respect and to be treated well.
How can you do that when you’re feeling poorly?
Next time you look in the mirror, if a negative thought comes up, think of something you can be thankful your body does for you (like the things I listed above or something sweet like my loved one loves the hugs my arms give or my child is calmed my the warmth of my chest).
Movement - Do something that FEELS good, like a walk outside or a fun class or activity. Your body is built to move and loves to move. It’s a gift you can give it.
Nourishment - Eat well-balanced meals that make you feel well. (Note: I don’t believe in “good” or “bad” meals because there’s no place for morality in food. Foods don’t make you good or bad.) What I do believe in is leaning into meals that make you feel well, and what I mean by that is, leaving you feeling energized and satiated.
Take the focus off your body and onto your strengths - Do something you’re really good at. It can be an activity, something work-related, giving advice to a friend that needs your help, etc. You are great at so many things. The people in your life love you for a reason.
Please remember, you are more than your body. Your body is here to help you experience life. So please don’t wait until “x” to do everything in your life that’ll bring you joy. You deserve it all, and you deserve it now.
If you’re looking for a safe space where you can learn how to let go of dieting for good, enjoy food without guilt, and turn exercise into something you love to do rather than something you “have” to do, submit a client application to get in contact with me! I work with clients virtually all over the world helping those who are frustrated with dieting and want to change their relationship with food and themselves.
Hi, I’m Azul Corajoria, an Integrative Health Coach, Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor. I support my clients in making step-by-step changes so that they can live a healthy and balanced life. By recognizing the interdependent roles of mindset, nutrition, and movement I educate and hold my clients accountable for achieving their health goals through lifestyle and behavior adjustments with an emphasis on self-care. Together, we navigate the contradictory world of nutrition through intuitive eating, practice mindful movement, and implement small mindset and lifestyle shifts that empower them to be their best selves in the easiest way possible.
