Glamour is one thing, Beauty is another

No wonder our perception of Beauty is so distorted!...

The Images we are seeing in the media ARE NOT REALISTIC!

Glamour is one thing, Beauty is another.

I think we use those words interchangeable, when in fact they are very different.

Glamour is cheap and only skin deep, it says nothing about the person you are, it doesn't warm a heart or brighten someones day, its dull and exhausting, It tells us nothing. It is simply fabric, gunk, and fluff.

Beauty on the other hand, comes from deep inside. It radiates outward, you can feel it. Its the essence of goodness and love. Its being TRUE to yourself. It says I am worth something, and so are you.

Ways to Overcome Negative Body Image:

• Fight Fatism; Work on accepting people of all body sizes and shapes. Don't assume, compare, criticize, or "checkout" others bodies. It may be helpful to make a list of people you admire that do not have "perfect" bodies. Does their appearance affect how you feel about them?
• Accept Genetics; at least 25% to 75% of our bodies are determined by our genes. Striving to fit into a certain size is as unrealistic as someone with a size 9 shoe trying to fit into a size 6. Not gonna happen. There are many aspects of our bodies we can't change, but we can modify our beliefs about our bodies through self-respect and a positive attitude!
• Question messages portrayed in the media; recognize that MANY of the women in the media are suffering from eating disorders (so sad for them!) The diet industry is an 8 billion dollar a year industry. Its a big money maker, which is why they work so hard to get us to believe their lies. Don't believe them.
• Befriend your body; Walk with your head held high with pride and confidence in yourself as a person. Be your body's ally and advocate, not its enemy. Stop harshly judging your body and recognize the biological masterpiece that it is. Women can create life! That is pretty amazing.
• Think of your body as the vehicle to your dreams; Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it.
• Create a list of the things your body lets you do. Read it and add to it often.
• Don't let your weight or shape keep you from engaging in activities you enjoy
• Wear comfortable clothes that you like, that express your personal style, and that feel good to your body.
• Think about all things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend worrying about your body and appearance.
• Thank your body for all it does for you!
• Find a type of exercise you enjoy and do it regularly. Don't exercise to lose weight or fight your body. Do it to ENJOY your body!
• Keep a list of positive things about yourself that have nothing to do with appearance, read and add to it often.
• Compliment people often on things that have nothing to do with there appearance
• Think, Life is too short to spend your days hating your body
• Be happy with your body NOW!
• Choose to find the beauty in the world and in yourself
• Eat when you are hungry, rest when you are tired, surround yourself with people that remind you of your inner strength and beauty
• STOP the fat talk! say nice things to yourself instead
• Try going reflection free for a day
• Be more tolerant, "we pride ourselves on tolerance in terms of race and religion. But heaven forbid someone should have a different body weight" we need to stop discriminating- even against ourselves- and start supporting one another.

References and Suggested Readings:
Battling our Bodies; Nicole Hawkins, Ph. D.
Body Wars: Making Peace with Women's Bodies; Margo Maine, Ph. D.
Intuitive Eating: A Recovery Book for the Chronic Dieter; Evelyne Tribole & Elyse Resch
When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies, Jane R. Hirschmann