Loving your Body

November 28th, 2007, by Shelley Riutta

It is a challenge for most people to really love their body.  We get so many cultural messages that promote a body ideal that is unrealistic for most people. It is like we all walk around with this toxic conditioning about the ideal body that we need to contend with if we are really going to move into self -love. One of the key things is to become aware that it is conditioning and NOT the truth.  When you are judging your body against the ideal you are judging yourself against an unrealistic image.

Instead of judging your body for being different than the ideal—begin to appreciate your body for how it is unique and different—and this uniqueness makes up the specialness of YOU.  Practice looking in the mirror at the part of your body you have been the hardest on and start to see the beauty of this part of you.   It will take time and a focus on releasing your comparisons of this part of you to the supposed ideal.  By practicing this you can move into a space of loving every part of your body and celebrating your unique and beautiful body. 

It is your body.  Claim it’s beauty!