I am always pleasantly surprised at some of the random tweets or facebook status updates that get people thinking, talking and perhaps even smiling. This was one of them:
"LOVE your body by looking at yourself completely naked a few times a week. It will be tough at first, but it's a really great way to build self-confidence and self-love."
Just this week I had a client sitting in my office at OBSESSED with body image from trashy celeb mags (yes, I've read my share) to what we see on TV that we've been completely brainwashed into thinking that our own bodies are not beautiful. I've got BIG NEWS! Your body is the only one you've got, LOVE it and worship it like the temple it is. If you are not happy in your own skin NOW, I can guarantee that if you loose 5, 10, 20, 100lbs and you don't address your self-esteem it doesn't make a darn difference what the scale says.
Now everyone has a different starting point, so if you already stare at your naked "lovelyness" everyday than congratulations because you represent a VERY small percentage of society. But if you don't, then here's what you need to do, starting TODAY. You decide what level you start at.
After you have a shower, with your towel on, go to a full length mirror and look at yourself for 5 minutes. While you are looking at yourself, repeat (as silly/cheesy/embarrassing as it sounds) the affirmation below.
After you have a shower, with your towel off, look at ONLY your hands and your arms in the mirror for 5 minutes. While you are looking at yourself repeat affirmation.
After you have a shower, with your towel off, look at ONLY your feet and your legs in the mirror for 5 minutes. While you are looking at yourself repeat affirmation.
I won't provide the details for the rest of the levels, because I will let you go at your own pace. But ultimately, you want to look at yourself completely in the buff/buck (whatever you wanna call it) and say the affirmation below. I know there are some skeptics out there right now reading this and raising one eyebrow. If that's you, then you are precisely one of the people who NEED to do this. And if you are the opposite and prance around naked all the time, then high five to you! :)
POSITIVE JOYOUS AFFIRMATION:
I've got a rockin' hot body. I love all parts of me, I am perfectly perfect.
Such wonderful advice! If only it were easier... I will try this Joy. Thanks, love your blog.
ReplyWhen I first started exercising 6 years ago I said, if I lose 10 lb I'll be happy. The person I was working out with said, "No, you won't." He was right. 15 lb later I still wasn't happy with how I looked. I really am looking to change that now.
ReplyAll women AND men should give this article a read. Thanks Joy. I really believe that in order to be healthy we need to first love ourselves.
ReplyA very useful piece of advice. We should be brave enough to stare at the truth. And most of the times truth is bitter. So why not do something about this?
ReplyThanks, glad you enjoyed it Vaishali! It's okay if we are not quite there yet... because practicing doing these things is a great way to evolve as a person and build self-confidence.
Great Joy..! Such a beautiful affirmation! I too tell something like this to myself while looking into mirror .. "I love you sweetie/baby/sweetheart/.." and it really helps lott .. specially those time of PMS mood with nobody-loves-me thought :) Yes its hard in beginning ... when I started doing it initially it was damn difficult.. I used to think exactly how you said .. comparing myself with celeb figures.. noticing only stratchmarks, unwanted hair, popped out belly.. but now .. I am loving it... even my stretch mark seems achievement for pounds I shred off over period of time :) Love ur posts .. thanks a lott .. ::hugs::
ReplyGlad you enjoyed this post. I agree with everything you've said. No one can love us as well as ourselves. Have a wonderful day and thanks for taking the time to write!
Love, Love, Love this advice!! Personally, I don't have a problem with my nakedness, although they are parts of my body I would trade if I was given a choice. But I still accept and love myself completely just the way I am.. Because like you said, this is the ONLY body I get in this lifetime, and I better make the best of it! Thank you Joy! You are awesome! xoxo
ReplyThanks Leyla! You are sweet, glad you enjoyed this article :) Sadly many women are not comfortable with doing this. Heck I don't find it a piece of cake everyday either... Thank you for your comment.
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