7 Tips For Loving Your Body — ‘Flaws’ and All

Loving your body in a media-perfect world requires conscious attention — here are 7 tips to help

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Sadly, part of what it means to be human today is to point out something about yourself you don’t like — a perceived flaw that needs to be fixed.

We haven’t learned this behavior all on our own; we’re constantly being bombarded with images of ‘perfect’ bodies (albeit often airbrushed and sometimes completely reconstructed). We’re constantly being fed a message of the need to slim down and tone up. Want the job? Lose weight! Want your dream partner? Lose weight! Want to be happy, rich, successful, attractive? Lose weight!

It’s easy to see why we’re so hard on ourselves when faced with a beauty standard that’s absurd and unattainable.

At a healthy size 12, I work as a plus-size model. Although I find the label degrading, I’m happy there’s a place in the industry for my body type. I love representing curvy women and proud to show more diversity in fashion.

I’ve certainly been guilty of comparing myself to others, and definitely had some emotional moments being the ‘big girl’ on photo shoots with size two models. But these insecurities ultimately helped me to heal and release, and that’s been the greatest blessing of all.

Here are some of the steps I’ve taken and committed to that have enabled me to love and honor my body:

1. Practice the art of acceptance, even when it seems impossible

Loving your body starts with acceptance. You have to know who you are and what you’re working with. I’m built exactly like my dad: tall, strong and athletic. I’m not, have never been, and will never be, super skinny. It isn’t my body type or bone structure. But I eat clean, work out and stay active. I’m not the skinniest girl in the room, but I’m definitely one of the strongest! I also focus on my best assets. My thighs may be “big,” but they are what help me be a great athlete, and I find beauty in strength and fitness.

2. Learn to forgive wholeheartedly

Through guided meditations, energy work like Reiki, journaling, walks in nature, reading, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle, I’ve learned to forgive myself for negative self-talk and other people for the unkind things they say about my body or body type. Forgiveness is a choice I choose to make on a regular basis. Recognize unkind words as just thoughts and perceived fear not based in reality. Forgiveness releases you and others, allowing you to live your life from a place of love. Anything you’ve done to your body that didn’t come from a loving place can be forgiven and healed.

3. Be willing to see your body in a new light

Be willing to let go of old thought patterns that don’t promote a positive body image. Be willing to see love instead of fear. Be willing to eat healthy, exercise and take care of your body. Be willing to try new things. For me, this has meant reiki, fascial stretch therapy, and meditation. These practices put me more in touch with my energy, my body and my ability to heal. As the old saying goes, Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Or as I like to say, If I can do it, so can you!

4. Gain a sense of perspective

A shift in perspective can literally shift your life. By choosing to see your body as beautiful and by appreciating it for all it’s done for you, you honor your body instead of complaining about what’s wrong with it. Our egos love for us to believe bad things about ourselves, so don’t take the bait. Choose to see your body as the temple it is instead.

5. Don’t compare

This is a big one. It’s something our society loves to encourage us to do. Comparing keeps us small. It lowers our energy. Quite simply, it feels like crap. I meet many naturally thin women who tell me they wish they had my curves. I love to hear this, despite sometimes wishing I had a slimmer stomach. It’s imperative that we stay in our own lane and resist the temptation to compare ourselves to others. The wasted time and energy you spend comparing could be spent nurturing your own body.

6. Take a bath

It might sound silly, I know, but I take a bubble bath almost every day. Besides getting clean, I find it extremely relaxing and it helps me connect to my body. It’s my time to take care of and nurture myself. It’s not just a skin-softening ritual; it’s also a body love ritual. The combination of arm water, healing epsom salts, and essential oils gives me such a sense of calm and self awareness. We’re all so busy working and taking care of others that we often neglect ourselves. A bath slows you down and allows you to love yourself in a pure, simple way.

7. Say thank you

Forget the grueling hour-long sessions with your trainer, marathon races, or even child birth. Yes, your body does all of that for you, but it also got you up out of bed this morning, showered, fed and out the door. Our bodies are constantly working for us, doing almost everything we ask of them. Yet we’re so hard on them. So starting today, try saying thank you to your body for all it’s done for you. We all want to be appreciated and our bodies are no exception. Gratitude goes a long way — especially with ourselves.

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