5 Ways To Improve Your Body Image

We’ve all heard it before – women, in general, have a terrible sense of body image these days. Whether it’s because of the media, cruel kids at school, or even our mirrors, it feels like the world is against us when it comes to feeling good about ourselves and our sizes.

Well, I’m here to write about a few ways to take back your body image: to empower yourself so that only you can judge and finally feel good about your appearance.

Take a freaking compliment.

You know what I’m talking about when someone tells you you’ve looked like you’ve lost weight, slimmed down, the dress looks fantastic, and brush away the compliment like a piece of lint.

Stop doing that. It’s something I do pretty often, and when I recently told my mother she looked good, she did the same thing. That’s when I realized this is how poor body image begins – with not taking the compliment you’re given and putting yourself down before the day even starts.

Please don’t do it. If someone goes out of their way to tell you that you look good, thank and accept the compliment. Know that someone noticed you’re looking good, and embrace that it’s true.

And, in turn, if you think a girl looks good, like her shoes, hair, make-up, whatever it may be, pay it forward. Compliment her and see her light up!

After all, it’s important to remember that every girl out there is your unspoken sister, looking for her self-confidence, not to mention women tend to judge each other more harshly than any man.

So, by complimenting her, you’re helping out your fellow woman and yourself by giving them that little nod of appreciation. Do it – you’ll feel better.

Wear what you love.

I know there are specific articles, styles, and types of clothing that different body types should stay away from (I’ve never worn an empire waist anything in my life) to flatter our shapes.

However, even if it’s not supposed to “compliment” your shape, if you love those skinny jeans (like I do, despite my curvy legs), that fitted tank top, or that ruffled skirt, you should be wearing it.

All day, every day, no matter who says what. Why, despite the hundreds of fashion blogs that say no, do you ask? Because you love it.

And if you love it, you’re going to feel great in it, and if you feel great in it, you’re going to look amazing in it, thanks to all that happiness you’ll be radiating. Wear what you love, always, because no matter what, you’ll look as fabulous as you feel.

Know that size doesn’t matter.

When I say “size,” I mean that evil printed little numbers on all clothing tags and tags hung around. It took me a while, but I had an epiphany when I started college that changed how I looked at clothes shopping. That epiphany was that size doesn’t matter – indeed, it doesn’t. Every designer, every style, and every single piece of clothing is sized differently, and no two articles of clothing are ever alike.

Not to mention that the size of one type of jeans or dress will not measure the same as that of another from a different designer or line. I have jeans in sizes ranging from fours to eights because of this inconsistency, and I have dresses from two to twelve sizes.

It’s all about picking the size you feel the best in and feel flatters you the most, not about the stupid number printed on the tag. Forget about size; quit having a panic attack because you need to go up a size in a different style of jeans and wear what fits.

Find at least one attribute to love.

Come on, ladies, at least one. We all have at least one attribute, whether it’s those toned legs, that beauty mark, the big eyes, or that great hair that we like. And yes, you’re allowed to have one.

I know that popular female thought has emphasized self-deprivation and modesty as a more favorable feminine trait. However, I’m here to tell you that it is perfectly OK to, like – hell, forget that – love yourself.

Now, that may take some time if you’re a long-sufferer of poor body image, like me, but each day, look in the mirror (as strange as it sounds) and compliment yourself on your favorite attribute. For example, I love my legs – yeah, I said it. And no, I’m not a 5’11” model with stems that go on for days.

But I am a 5’6” runner who, after seven years of putting my poor gams to the test, has come to appreciate my shapely legs for what they are – strong, hard-working, and greedy for a little extra pain to go that extra mile. So forget modesty and decency for a minute, and find your favorite attribute to feel good about without shame.

Just say “no”.

I mean it – say no to anything and everything that will make you feel bad about yourself. Whether or not that’s skipping the gym, not letting yourself have that serving of ice cream, or hanging out with that frienemy that gives you backhanded compliments, stop doing things that don’t make you feel good about yourself. It makes no sense.

Body image and self-esteem all depend on your mental health and view of yourself, so why the hell would you ever condone or participate in anything that makes you feel less than impressive? The answer is you shouldn’t, and from here on out, I hope you won’t.

So, go on, have that cookie if you want it, run that extra mile because you can, and don’t spend time with people who make you feel like crap. You’re worth more than that and deserve better for yourself, always.

This is a short but sweet and heart-felt list of tips on how I’ve begun the long fight to overcome my body image issues. Though I don’t mean to toot my own horn, I have to admit, it feels good.

I don’t hate myself for not fitting into that coveted pair of jeans; I don’t sigh wistfully when I see a wispy little model spread out on the television or in a magazine.

As time passes and I’ve come to embrace my body, I’ve come to appreciate it, treat it well, and flatter it in such a way that has made me feel much better about myself.

And let me tell you – nothing looks better on a woman than confidence. So, I hope you will take these tips to heart, and if you have any of your own to share with your fellow women, please post them in the comments section below.