That's Fit

We're our own worst enemies. I think most of us are harder on ourselves and our appearances than anyone else is. I know that's how I am. With the exception of my mother (who would prefer I never wear another sweatshirt again), I know I'm more judgmental of my appearance than anyone else.

With a constant stream of media telling us how we should look and a culture fixated on looks over health, it's no wonder we stand in front of our mirrors and criticize. Having confidence in your own abilities is accepted -- even expected -- in today's culture. If you're interviewing for a job, confidence is a quality your interviewer is likely to look for. But confidence in your appearance isn't as widely accepted. In fact, some people think confidence in their appearance will be misconstrued as arrogance -- but that's not the case. Feeling good about yourself, having a positive body image, and being confident in your appearance can elevate your mood and benefit you in many ways.

AOL Body has an article that can help us all feel more comfortable in our own skin. It's high time we stop looking at ourselves with such a critical eye and start being a little more forgiving. Some tips:

• Step away from the TV. Besides the obvious inactivity, rates of body dissatisfaction increased with exposure to certain TV shows such as soap operas and music videos. Many magazines can have the same negative effect on body image.
• Reduce your self-examining time. If you find yourself spending way too much time in the mirror turning this way and that, examining your face up close for flaws, and (admit it ... ) jiggling that part of your upper arm you really wish would jiggle then just cut it out! Beyond the necessary grooming time, there's no need to review your appearance -- especially if you're spending that time being critical of yourself.
• Feed your body. Noone should try to match an impossible standard. For your health, it's important to maintain an appropriate body weight. But true health is never achieved through starving yourself. Use food as it was intended -- for nourishment. Eat a healthy, balanced diet with an appropriate amount of calories.
• Recognize your strengths. If you tend to nit-pick your own faults, try turning the tables. Instead, remind yourself of all your positive qualities. We all have beautiful qualities and it's important to remind ourselves of those positives.
• See a therapist. If you find that your body image is difficult to correct, see a therapist for help.

Want to learn more? Bev wrote a post about boosting your body-esteem.