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Wow, sitting at Second Cup, writing today’s blog entry before going to serve pizza lunch at my son’s school. I have to say, I’m enjoying this new venture. I simply love everything women related, all the issues, and this has become an incredible medium for me to connect with all of you.

Because many of you have written in about body image, diet and other, I am dedicating today’s blog to you ladies. Summer is practically over, BBQ season is just about done, the flowing booze is no longer flowing. It’s time to head back to the gym and get remotivated. As my woman Oprah says, “It’s time to put yourselves back on your to-do list.”

I often hear, “I look like sh*t… I feel like sh*t… I need to lose 10 pounds… I’m too short… My thighs are too big… My skin looks old… I”m sagging…” and the list goes on and on. We are very hard on ourselves. Who can blame us? All you have to do is open any magazine… you see what you’re “supposed” to look like. An airbrushed, anorexic, body focused, diet and exercise obsessed individual. Sweethearts, you’re never gonna win that battle. Kelly Ripa, Madonna, and Gwyneth’s bodies are their careers. They have unlimited budgets to spend on custom designed organic meals brought to them three times a day. A trainer 7 days a week. A masseuse. An accupuncturist. A yoga guru. A spiritual adviser. A beautician on call 24/7. And the list goes go on and on.

Now, back to reality. If you’re like the rest of the world who just struggles to make it through the day, Stella, you gotta get your groove back! And while most women who stare in the mirror don’t love what they see staring back, it’s time to work with what you got. It’s time to embrace what god gave you and work it to your advantage. I swear, it ain’t all physical. Please let that soak in. Attractiveness is so way beyond how thin or fit you are, and how great your skin looks. It’s time to change your body image. I’m gonna try and help you below.

Firstly, let me give you a few disturbing facts. Take away what you will from them.

  • The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds.
  • One out of every four college aged woman is suffering from an eating disorder.
  • At age 13, 53% of all American girls are “unhappy with their bodies.” This grows to an enormous 78% by the time the girls turn 17.

Now, starting today, you’re gonna try one or a few of these suggestions below. You’re gonna start loving the body you were given and make it work for you. Your going to start improving your own body image.

  1. Try and not weigh yourself. Go by how you feel. If you are at the gym exercising regularly and eating well, throw the scale away. You don’t need it if you’re doing everything else correctly. It just leads to obsessions!
  2. Surround yourself with realistic images of women, like the one at the top. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and stop perusing through Bazaar and Vogue in the grocery line.
  3. Look for clothes that compliment your OWN body shape and size… NOT THE ONE YOU WANT TO HAVE. Wearing clothes that fit you properly and look good on YOU will help you feel better. However, please note, external beauty isn’t only about your size. It’s about how you carry yourself, your confidence, your aura. Stop those negative thoughts.
  4. Exercise. Do something 3-6 times a week that makes you sweat. The endorphins do great things for your brain. They give you feelings of euphoria. It will in turn have beneficial results on your body. It’s a whole positive cycle.
  5. You’re gonna have to be with yourself for a very long time. Treat yourself kindly. Wake up gently. Grab a cup of warm tea. Shower with care. Get ready slowly if you can. Take a hot bath at night with lavender oils. It’s not realistic every day. But pampering yourself makes you feel better. And when you feel better in your brain, it shows everywhere.

And realize. All we can do is our best in life. Try and cut yourself some slack. Learning to love yourself inside and out is a process. Start today. Go easy on yourselves. Be kind to the woman staring back in the mirror. Love her.

Do you have any suggestions on how you have learned to improve your own body image? Please share it with our readers below.

xoxEDxox