Improve Your Body Image

A negative body image may be the reason why so many fail to lose weight. Change the perception of how you see yourself, help improve self-esteem and your weight loss program will be more effective.

Body Image

Body image is a perception of how we see our physical self in mind's eye. It is always subject to change depending on mood or physical experiences. The perception is learnt through experience with others and/or close interaction of social culture and the media, but more often its closely linked to the individuals self-esteem.

An improvement in body image will play an important part in anyone's weight loss program as research has shown that many dieters struggle to lose weight successfully. A negative body image is developed from a distortion of the image we see in our mind to what is seen by others, many feel they are fatter than they actually are.

If you experience the following thoughts you may have a poor body image:

• "I wish I looked like him/ her"
• "I am so fat"
• "What if he/she/they don't like the way I look "
• "I just can't do anything right to lose this weight"

A poor body image can lead to unhealthy behaviours:

• long term crash dieting
• constantly checking appearance in mirror
• exercising too much
• weighing yourself daily
• avoid social situations

Changing old thought patterns requires a determined effort, it wont be easy but you'll get there if you keep trying!