Seven Things to do Right Now to Improve Body Image

SEVEN THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BODY IMAGE
By our Guest Writer: Gigi K.


Most of the women in the world were born into societies that celebrate, admire, and visually feed on how the human body looks, especially a women's body.

Our bodies have been since the beginning of humanity one of the biggest inspirations for the most beautiful works of art, but also the "object" of so many abuses.   

If you also dig deeper, you can see that even women themselves along history have found many ways of mistreating their own bodies. And we have come a long way, but still there is a lot to be done.


The Body is such a beautiful creation! It is important that we understand it, accept and appreciate it, as it is the most "obvious" part of us, the part that helps us to visually communicate to others who we are.

There is so much to say about the role of a woman's body in society, how it has been and  is still used and abused by many. But what I want to focus in this post, is in how WE as Women, relate to our own bodies individually.

I believe that each woman's relationship to her own body is the stepping stone that marks how others will view and treat "it". For ourselves, for our daughters, we need to start changing.

Some psychologist argue that the way in which we view our bodies is directly related to the way we view ourselves.  And If that is true, then it means that if we change the way we view our bodies, then we will change the way we view ourselves, so, Let's START!!!

1. Everyday upon waking up, I will focus on a part of my body that I really like. It can be anything: my toes, the way my eyelashes curl naturally, the color of my eyes, the shape of my hands, the way my shoulders stand, the shape of my nails, the shape of my lips, the thickness of my hair, the authenticity of my smile, the strenght of my legs, etc, etc...Search every inch of your body, and think, of colors, textures, smells, shapes, flexibility, and find at least one thing.
2. Make an effort, not to compare yourself to anybody else. Everybody is different. We were created different. We don't have to strive to be like anybody else. If you do what I suggested in point one, you won't feel the need to compare much!
3. Every time catch yourself spending too much time in front of a mirror, simply focus your gaze at that part/s of your body that you really like, smile and then just walk away.
4. Exercise is part of life, we were created to move, the body is designed to move! Please move it! No matter what you do, if its dancing, cleaning up, jogging, joining a gym class, going for a bike ride, or walking the dog, remember just like dogs need daily walks, we also do! And this is not about looks! it is about a basic body necessity.
5. Refuse to wear clothes that are unflattering, or uncomfortable. Make sure you buy clothes that fit well and that make the best of what you have got. Every body shape or silhouette has clothes that were specially made for, and that fit that type of body shape very well. Look up for brands that embrace your body shape, for example if you are a rectangular body shape, (your upper body is bigger, you have strong shoulders, and chest, and your legs are thinner) then don't try to fit into a  brand that makes clothes for pear or hourglass body shapes. 
6. Surround yourself with people and things that make you feel good about yourself! People that support you, and don't judge you constantly. 
7. Most of all, treat your body as the vehicle that it is, it can and will help you, achieve your dreams. Your body is in YOUR care, again....your body is in your care, and nobody else's. Do not give up the responsibility and the joy. It is yours, take good care of it, and you WILL see a change, inside, and outside.

Gigi K. is a Certified Image Consultant, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York City. She is a freelance bilingual Spanish and English writer of fashion, health and image issues. She also holds a Pilates Certification and teaches pilates and yoga to her local community. If you are interested in contacting her you can email us at lookbookyou@gmail.com, and we will be more than happy to connect you.