“CATCH YOUR NEGATIVE CHATTER AND REPHRASE IT INTO A POSITIVE.”
I n the past, I haven’t been immune to body confidence issues. Being thrust on to national TV and magazines on a weekly basis and competing in a swimsuit was a confronting aspect of my sporting career that I was forced to deal with quite early in life.
Now, I wouldn’t say I’m blessed with long legs or a slim build, but what I am genetically blessed with is a body that’s strong and agile, with the capacity to be a vehicle to help me meet my dreams … as long as I practice selfrespect.
In a sense, we all have this capability — to reduce our waistlines through a fitness program, to stop drinking or smoking through mindfulness techniques, or plan healthier meals at home. So, what stops us and stands in the way of getting the best out of our self?
It can be so damn easy to be caught up in comparisons and, unfortunately, this is where the problem lies.
It’s chicken or the egg kind of stuff. If we don’t appreciate ourselves, then how are we expected to nourish with nutritious foods, take the time to connect with our body via movement or create healthy habits?
Moving forward and embracing what you have is the key.
Stop analysing things and create that first step.
Learn to love your body and appreciate that everything you eat, drink, do or don’t do, reflects your mindset and long-term goals.
Remember the times when you may have been in a self-defeatist mood or phase of your life when you carry a “who cares if I eat chocolate” mentality?
When you hold this attitude, it’s really easy to fall into a rut.
Self-sabotage runs the show and bad habits slip in and form a “normal” way of being.
I see people stay in these patterns for years, not knowing how to escape or actually believing change is possible.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it all negative? Positivity breeds positivity. What is required is to be on top of these thoughts to create a flow-on effect and it all begins with your mind.
CHANGE YOUR INNER DIALOGUE
We all have beliefs about our self, with many not being true.
Start by being aware of the labels or stereotyping that is going on in your own inner dialogue such as “I’m not an exerciser”.
That’s a good enough reason to get out there and give it a crack and rephrase things to “I am someone who feels great after exercise”.
“I can’t stop craving sweet things after dinner.” As you can see you’re already telling yourself you can’t, so perhaps let’s rephrase that to: “I feel really full after a balanced dinner and don’t crave sweets after dinner”.
See where I’m heading with this? Catch your negative chatter, write it down and rephrase it into a positive.
STOP COMPARING
Your body is yours and you need to own it. Find what is unique and works for you. Comparisons will only bring you down and leave you disheartened. It’s time to bring out your best.
FIND YOUR SUPPORT CREW
If you are willing to change then it might be time to change your surroundings.
Find people on the same frequency as you who will offer positive feedback and support.
Become aware of this paradigm shift and what may come from friends that are not accepting of your desire to change. “People don’t resist change, people resist being changed” rings true!