Loving ourselves is definitely a journey and NOT a destination. There will be good days and there will be err not so good days. And that’s okay. 

AND loving your body is even more of a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of learning to accept and appreciate your body for all that it is, the so-called flaws and all. 

It’s about finding the beauty in your unique shape, size, and proportions. And it’s about celebrating your body’s strength, resilience, and ability to do amazing things.

If you’re struggling to love your body, know that you’re not alone. Many many people, especially women struggle with body image issues, and it can be difficult to overcome them. But it is possible. With time, effort, and self-compassion, you can learn to love your body and feel good about yourself.

How can you love your body more?

Here are a few tips to help you on your journey to loving your body:

• Challenge your negative thoughts about your body. When you catch yourself thinking negative things about your body, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself if they’re really true. Are you really as…. (insert the words you use here) as you think you are? The answer is probably no. Our thoughts about our bodies can be very distorted, so it’s important to challenge them and see them for what they are. They are just thoughts.
• Focus on your body’s strengths. Instead of focusing on your body’s flaws, focus on its strengths. What can your body do? Is it strong? Is it flexible? Is it healthy? Make a list of all the things your body can do and read it over whenever you’re feeling down about your appearance. I’d even suggest writing your body a love letter – go to town. Your body is truly amazing.
• Practise self-compassion. Be kind to yourself, just as you would be to a really close friend. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Remember that we are all beautiful works in progress. You are worthy of love and respect, no matter what.
• Find a support system. Surround yourself with people who love and support you, and who will help you to love your body too. This could be friends, family, a therapist, or a support group. Having people in your corner who will cheer you on and help you to see the beauty in your body can make a big difference. This might be where I come in – check this link out for more info.

Loving your body is a journey, but it’s a journey that is so well worth taking.

When I think how I used to hate my body and would be so full of shame because of what I told myself, I want to give my younger self (not that much younger self too) a big old hug.

When you learn to love your body, you’ll feel more confident, more happy, and more free. So don’t give up. Keep working on it, and day by day, you will start to love and accept your body more and more, “flaws” and all. And the MAGIC is when we start to do that our bodies start to change – it’s as if all the resistance starts to melt away.

This video will walk you through what’s involved in my 21 Days To Letting Go Of The Weight and this page shows you how to get started.

👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿👶🏼👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👶🏻👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿👶🏼👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👶🏻👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿👶🏼👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👶🏻👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿👶🏼👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👶🏻👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿👶🏼👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👶🏻👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿👶🏼

Babies are born with a natural love of their bodies. They explore their bodies with their hands and mouths, and they love to be held and cuddled. As we grow older, we start to learn about the different parts of our bodies and what they can do. 

As time goes on, we might start to compare ourselves to other children, and maybe become aware of body image issues. Or this might be down to watching and listening to our parents or other care givers if they made negative comments about their bodies or the bodies of others.

Maybe you were compared to others

Being compared to other children will only make a child feel self-conscious about their own bodies. Which, of course, can lead to so many body image issues in our adult lives.

It might be you were picked on or even bullied as a child by your peers for being too tall, on the larger side, for wearing glasses, the list goes on, doesn’t it? No wonder this can lead to a toxic relationship with our bodies and therefore food.

We all want to be accepted and if any of this resonated, it might be a good idea to connect with your inner child. Love that little girl, gently reassure her that she is safe and is loved and accepted just the way she is. It’s a very powerful exercise.

Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you have children and you want them to have a positive body image, it is important to set a good example. Make sure you talk positively about your own body and avoid making negative comments about your appearance.

💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜

Words of Wisdom from Louise Hay

I’m sharing some of Louise Hay’s words of wisdom when it comes to loving our bodies. She absolutely believed what we constantly affirm becomes true for us. It has certainly worked for me too.

“Little babies love every inch of their bodies. 

They have no guilt, no shame, and no comparison. You were like that, and then somewhere along the line you listened to others who told you that you were “not good enough.” 

You began to criticise your body, thinking perhaps that that’s where your flaws were.

Let’s drop all of that and get back to loving our bodies and accepting them totally as they are. 

The subconscious mind has no sense of humour and does not know false from true. 

It only accepts what we say and what we think as the material from which it builds. 

By repeating these positive affirmations over and over, you will be planting new seeds in the fertile soil of your subconscious mind, and they will become true for you.

Here are some examples:

I Love My Body

My body is a glorious place to live. 

My body serves me so well.

I marvel at the miracle that is my body. 

I choose the healing thoughts that create and maintain my healthy body and make me feel good. 

I love and appreciate my beautiful body

When you practise affirmations to Love Your Body, stand in front of the mirror and repeat each new thought pattern ten times. 

Do this twice a day. 

You can also write your affirmations ten times during the day too if you wish.

Work with one affirmation a day. 

Then if there is any part of your body you still dislike or have a problem with—use that particular affirmation daily for at least a month, or until positive change takes place.

If doubts or fears or negative thoughts come up, just recognise them for what they are— old limiting beliefs that want to stay around. 

They have no power over you. 

Say to them gently, “Thank you for sharing! I no longer need you.” Then repeat your affirmations again.

Where you stop working is where your resistance is. Notice the part of your body that you don’t want to love. Give this part extra attention so you may go beyond the limitation. Release the resistance.

In this way, within a short time, you will have a body you love and accept. 

And your body will respond by giving you really good health.

I love and appreciate my beautiful mind.

I love my eyes. I see clearly in every direction.

I love my nose. I am the power and authority in my world.

I love my back. I am supported by life itself.

I love my hips. I carry myself through life in perfect balance.

I love my legs. I move forward in life, unencumbered by the past.”

For more of Louise’s wonderful wisdom, follow this link.

Thank you for joining me in this safe space today and here’s where you go to find out how you can love yourself and/or your body more and more.