Modern society often exerts pressure on young men and women to conform to an ideal standard of beauty. TV shows, movies and magazines feature young, beautiful people with no discernible flaws. These celebrities can cause unhealthy body images that lead people to act dangerously in an attempt to lose weight.
Significance
Body image is how you perceive yourself in your mind, according to Loyola University Maryland. Body image often differs from how your body really looks to others. People with negative body images perceive themselves as being fat, having unattractive flaws or being ugly. This leads to negative thoughts, unhealthy behaviors and self-consciousness about your body. Severe body image problems may accompany eating disorders or depression.
Body Image Improvement
If you have a positive body image, you acknowledge how your body looks, appreciate your unique body and feel confident about your looks. Positive body image is independent of objective standards of beauty. Supposedly beautiful people can have terrible body images, while those objectively considered less attractive may feel confident and sexy.
To improve your body image, monitor your thoughts and eliminate those that focus negatively on your looks. Celebrate the unique features that make you a beautiful individual. Loyola University Maryland recommends wearing clothing that makes you feel good, surrounding yourself with positive people, pampering yourself and appreciating the things that your body can do. Creating a healthy body image takes time and effort, but it is essential to accepting yourself and engaging in healthy eating habits.
Diet Guidelines
Include whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein to balance your diet. Whole grains come from whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta, quinoa, whole oats and barley, among others. Decrease your intake of processed foods, focusing instead on eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose foods high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which lower your levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as the "bad" cholesterol. Avoid red meats, which can be high in fat. Instead, choose chicken, lean pork, fish and nuts to boost your protein intake.
Considerations
Consider the reasons you want to change your diet. Adopting a healthy diet is an excellent choice that has lasting health benefits. However, avoid restricting your diet if the sole reason is because you hate the way you look. Resist social pressure to be extremely thin, focusing instead on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating well. Losing weight because of pressure from others will not make you happier or improve your self-image.
Warning
If you consistently feel bad about your body and dislike your looks, seek help from a mental health professional. Focusing on weight and eating habits may cause you to develop an eating disorder or become depressed. A counselor can help you to understand why you have a negative self-image and work with you to become happier with your appearance and weight. A mental heath professional can also suggest changes to your diet or exercise patterns to promote your healthy lifestyle.
Member Comments