Learn How to Love Your Body In 5 Easy Steps

How we speak to ourselves impacts how we feel about ourselves

If you’re constantly criticising yourself, these comments are what you’re going to believe. If you’re constantly complimenting yourself, those comments are what you’re going to believe.

The more you start to love your body, the more you will want to look after, protect and nourish it.

We are going to explore exactly what ‘healthy’ looks like and ways you can learn to love your body.

So what is a ‘healthy’ body?

Society and social media can impose a lot of pressure and expectations on what ‘healthy’ looks like. But the reality is, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE HEALTHY.

A flat stomach does not make you healthy, in fact you can have a flat stomach and be very unhealthy. It’s perfectly healthy to have some fat and cellulite.

It is what we put in our bodies and how active we are that make us healthy

We all have different genes that make us different shapes and sizes. Some people hold on to more fat in some areas other may not. No body shape is superior, we are all beautiful and we all need to remind ourselves of this daily!

If you live an inactive life and are putting too many processed foods high in sugar, fat and salt into your body, this can lead to health issues. Especially if you fall into the overweight range that is high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. This is when a healthy approach to gradual weight loss is required to get you back into a healthy range.  If you are concerned, check what weight range you fall into here.

Regardless if you want to lose weight or not, the first thing everyone needs to do, is change the way you talk to yourself.

Here are our top 5 tips to help you love your body the way it deserves

1. Re-wire your brain

Your brain believes whatever you tell it to. It gets used to the same actions and thoughts, and goes into autopilot mode. Most of us have negative thoughts programmed into our autopilot mode. So it’s time to do some rewiring and change “I hate my body” to “I love my body.”

It may feel funny at first but, if you say it enough, you will rewire your brain, and you will start to feel it and believe it. Make this the first thing you tell yourself when you wake up and  the last thing you tell yourself before you go to sleep.

2. Set reminders

Make it so you’re constantly being reminded of how much you love your body by setting up lots of reminders to reinforce that message and rewire that brain.

• Write it down on post-it notes and put them on your mirror, in the bathroom, in your wardrobe, on your pillow and anywhere else you look daily.
• Write it in your diary every day for the week ahead.
• Set a daily reminder on your phone to pop up at lunch time.

3. Pull yourself up on negative thoughts

Negative thoughts are natural for most of us. They will never completely disappear because well, we’re only human! But, we can shrink them. Becoming more aware of when a negative thought pops up is the first step to rewiring your brain.

As soon as “I hate my body,” “I wish I looked like her” or any other negative thought or comparison to another person comes up, pull yourself up! Instead of letting that thought continue, put on the brakes and turn that thought around to something positive.  Tell yourself “actually I love my body, it is unique to me and supports me every day.” With consistency, your negative thoughts, will happen less and less.

4. Give yourself compliments

Compliment your hair, your smile, your bum or whatever it is that deserves a compliment. Give yourself a challenge to compliment yourself on something different each morning before you leave the house. Make it a habit that whenever a negative thought comes up, you have to compliment yourself on something.

5. Nourish, hydrate and move your body

With regular exercise and eating lots of healthy foods like fruit & veggies your body will naturally start to feel better and your mind will feel more positive. The better you feel  the more you will respect your body, love your body and want to keep nourishing it. Drink lots of water, eat lots of healthy food and move your body!

It’s now time to clean out your old thoughts and make room for shiny new ones. It’s now time to start telling yourself that you love your body until you believe it!

Check out this week’s healthy recipe to help nourish your body and thoughts.

Middle Eastern Veggies and Beans

Time: 40mins  Serves: 2 Cost: $7approx ($3.50/serve)

Ingredients

• 1 eggplant 1
• 1 zucchini 1/2
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1 can diced tomatoes 1
• 1 TBSP curry powder
• ½ TBSP cumin
• ½ TBSP paprika
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 can cannellini beans 1/2
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• Greek yoghurt and fresh parsley to serve

Method:

1. slice eggplant and zucchini 1-2cm thick.
2. heat olive oil on a medium heat in a large fry pan.
3. cook eggplant 4 minutes each side and zucchini 2 minutes each side, until browned (this may need to be done in a couple of batches).
4. add crushed garlic, canned tomatoes, curry powder, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, beans and a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. mix together, cover, then let simmer for 15 -20 minutes until vegies are tender.

Serve with fresh Greek yoghurt and fresh parsley!