Break the Illusion Blog by Davey Wavey

As a child that grew up overweight, the journey to love my body has been turbulent to say the least. I know what it’s like to look in the mirror and cry, or wish that I had been born in someone else’s skin. But I also know that it’s possible to move beyond that mentality. Great progress can be made by employing these small shifts in consciousness, perspective and action:

1. Apologize to your body for the many negative things or thoughts that you may have expressed against it.
2. Change your body dialogue. Commit to only using words of love when discussing your body publicly or privately.
3. Remind yourself that it is through your body that you are able to experience the world. Thank your body. It is a gift.
4. Make a list of all the things that your body does for you. Your body is very powerful.
5. Do something nice for your body. Eat something that your body enjoys or engage in physical activity. What does your body want?
6. Recognize that your scale doesn’t measure self-worth.
7. How much time and energy do you spend scrutinizing your body in the mirror, thinking about it negatively or complaining about it with friends? Think of what you could accomplish by freeing up that time and energy.
8. Exercise. Do it to honor your body, and not to look like Taylor Lautner.
9. Ask yourself: “If I had one month to live, how important would my body image be?”
10. Remember that fashion and fitness magazines only show a small sliver of beauty. People come in all shapes and sizes, and we’re all beautiful expressions of this universe in our own ways. Dare not to compare your body.
11. Treat your body like it is sacred. Because it is.
12. Who do you admire most? Ghandi? A grandparent? Mother Theresa? Does their physical appearance determine that admiration?
13. Accept your body as it is now. You may be committed to a healthier tomorrow, but true change comes through acceptance and not resistance.
14. Changing your body isn’t the same as changing your perspective of it. Change the inside first.
15. Celebrate the changes in your body as you age. Hair loss, graying and wrinkles are marks of your progression through life – they are badges of honor that can be worn and embraced proudly (even if others don’t reciprocate – that’s their path, not yours).
16. Don’t reinforce body image ideals in others. Don’t compliment people for the tightness of their abs so much as the brightness of their laugh.
17. Recognize that life is too short to hate your body.

If these tips seem like too much to handle, try employing just one tip each day for the few weeks. And don’t beat yourself up if you fall off-track. We all do. It’s part of the journey.

Where are you at in your journey to love your body? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Related Posts

1. Something You’ll Never Hear Me Say.
2. I Love My Body. Do You Love Yours?
3. Video: Davey Wavey’s Valentine!