Improving your self image by changing your body shape

In the modern world, western society especially, self image is everything. People will get further in life with a better self image because they are confident in how they look, and make an effort to preserve an image that works well. When you think about it, people get jobs because of their image, attract the partners they want, gain recognition, whereby on the flip side a negative self image, mixed with a lack of effort and confidence can be incredibly restricting and leave people in the shadows. If there is one thing that we are all capable of though, it is improving our self image, and one of the key ways of doing this is by changing our body shape.

If you have issues with how you look due to being overweight, your body shape is something that sticks out like a sore thumb when you consider your self image. Perhaps it is time to make changes, or more accurately time for improvements?

There are two key factors that contribute to the shape of your body and how much you weigh, and they are your diet, and your activity levels. If you adjust these, you can adjust your body shape, and more importantly your self image.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

Even the vain among us will be able to pick out some sort of flaw from their reflection when facing a mirror. However, the vast majority of people will be able to write a list with what they feel is wrong with their self image. It is worth noting that self image is how you see yourself, the cat looking into the mirror and seeing a lion for instance. Are you honestly happy with what you see in the mirror, or do you constantly find yourself unhappy with your appearance? The latter will apply to a great many people, and one thing they all have in common is not having the faintest idea where to start to change that!

Are you happy with your body shape?

Let's focus primarily on your body here, as weight and body shape are a key factor. With one in three adults in North America being classed as obese, that is one hell of a lot of people who probably look in the mirror and have issues with their self image. It is true to say that there are always going to be people who just don't care what they look like, but let's assume these people are not reading an article about improving their body shape and self image.

Are you happy with what you see in front of you, honestly?

If the answer is no then then perhaps the following suggestions can help you to improve your self image, by encouraging you to make an effort to change your body shape.

Motivation and mind set

Just being unhappy with how you look, and having a low opinion of your self image, should be motivation enough to make changes. No matter how old you are, how much you weigh, whatever your circumstances are, you have the ability to make changes. Nobody is going to knock on the door and you carry you though it, it is your responsibility and yours alone to change who you are, and how you look right now.

So whether you want to look like the actor or actress on the tv, drop down a size or two, trim down to catch the eye of a certain someone, or just look better and healthier to please yourself, the following information will hopefully change your mindset.

Dieting

One of the most popular topics on the internet, and probably in the world in general, is dieting. What is the best way to lose weight? How can you lose weight fast? These are a couple of example questions that are asked millions of times around the world each and every day. There are thousands upon thousands of diet reviews and weight loss stories online, and many of them will be inspiring, whereby many more will put you off giving various diets a shot.

Implementing any diet is a big lifestyle change. If you eat what you have always eaten, you will weigh what you have always weighed. That is a fact you can take to the bank, and something many people fail to comprehend.

Dieting isn't just about missing out the odd snack here and there, it is generally an overthrow of your eating habits. You have to remove the unhealthy foods that have contributed to your weight gain and undesirable body shape, even if they are your favorites and taste great. These need to be replaced by other foods that are good for you, and may not necessarily be as appealing to your taste buds, and yes the chances are that you are going to have to eat less, a lot less.

Finding out the total number of calories you need to be consuming each day, and comparing them to the total that you are currently eating, can be a real eye opener for people. There are hundreds of calorie counter websites online. So finding one that is easy to use is a good start.

Changing your eating habits and dietary routine is a sure fire way to change your body shape over time.

Increase your activity levels

People who are overweight and are dissatisfied with their body composition, generally aren't the type who go for a run everyday, or make the most of a gym membership. You are overweight for a reason, and most of the time this is down to not only a poor diet, but also a lack of exercise.

The answer is simple, get active, or at least more active than you are currently.

This does not necessarily mean you have to go for a nine mile run every night, or hit the gyms 7 days a week. It is all about small steps towards a bigger goal. Go for a twenty minute walk every day. There is nobody who can put their hands up and say that their daily schedule would not allow this. Build the walk up by 5 minutes a day each week. When it feels easy then go for a jog instead, but do it regularly so it becomes part of your routine.

It is said that if you can do something consistently for over a month then it can become a habit. Changing your body and losing weight is all about getting into good habits, like eating right and getting regular exercise. These are two things that will really compliment each other in the long run.

Build up your confidence and join a gym, or get involved in a local sport that you like by joining a club. Your basic level of fitness that you have built up can really be built upon if you do this. You also meet other people, many of which may be in the same boat as you, which is another positive to reflect upon.

Swimming, cycling, weights, push ups, sit ups, these are all simple ways to exercise, and many of them can be done at home if you do not want to go out and do them in public. Get a cheap exercise bike off of Craigs list and you can exercise in front of the television everyday if you really want to!

There are hundreds of easy workout DVDs that you can buy on eBay for next to nothing, or even view online for free. Follow these and you can get that much needed exercise at home, which is surely appealing to the laziest people.

Progression will improve your self image and confidence

Changing the way your body looks is not something that can be done ove
ight, even with surgery! It takes time, persevierance and patience, so be ready to put the effort in over the long haul, or not at all.

When you do start to notice changes though, even losing a few pounds, or going down a dress or jeans size, you will automatically feel more confident and even if by just a touch, your self image will have improved. When you look in the mirror, you will see a slightly different you to the one that you saw initially, and this will really wake you up to the fact that a little bit of effort can go a really long way.

If you drop one size, then what is stopping you dropping another one, or more even? The answer is 'nothing', other than the chance of slipping back into your old habits. If you can keep them at bay, and become adjusted to the new lifestyle that you have been living, then you have the perfect foundation to shape your body exactly the way that you want it to look.

I am a firm believe
that we all have the capability to make positive changes in our life, especially changing our weight and how we look as that is something that we are all solely responsible for. You choose what you eat, and you choose how active you are, so adjusting these factors can, and will, change your body shape and subsequently improve your self image.