I Hate My Body and Why You Do Too
Have you had the thought, “I hate my body,” recently?
Are you the type of person whose mood is determined based on your opinion of what you see in the mirror daily?
Do you skip parties, celebrations, or just any kind of get-together because the thought of getting dressed and trying to make yourself look good is the most daunting thing you could ever imagine?
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Even though you enjoy working out, are you afraid to go to the gym because you don’t want to be in front of people?
Me too.
Like many women, I’ve struggled with body image issues for years and years. We can debate all day about where and why they began.
The fact of the matter is that they’re here, and they can negatively impact our lives.
So, why do these thoughts fill our minds daily and steal any thread of joy that lives in our hearts? To be a distraction.
Think about when your body image had the most negative effect on your life.
Was it during a break-up?
After you got fired from your job? During the grieving period of a loss of a loved one?
What do all of those moments have in common?
Stress.
Our body image issues are our way of deflecting other stressors and focusing on a different part of us that we do not like very much or think we can control.
People use this coping mechanism by focusing on their careers or lack of romantic relationships.
My body image issues are always the most prevalent during transition or the holidays when I would be stressed about family matters or expenses.
I realized this a couple of years ago, and although it did not solve the problem, I can recognize these thoughts now.
Now I can look to solve any other issues causing me stress.
I can also start to forgive myself for having these thoughts.
There was (and will be) a time when my body image issues did not rule my life.
I do not have to hate my body
I remember days when I would get an adrenaline rush thinking about how fun my workout would be the next day.
Now I just worry it will be painful because my body aches from depression.
I would jolt out of bed at 5:30 am on Monday mornings, excited for what was ahead.
Lately, I try to sleep as long as possible so I don’t have to face the day and see the world see me.
I was excited to pick out my outfits for the next day and dress up.
Right now, I get scared for my best friend to visit because I can’t even get the confidence to wear nice clothes.
I am going through a depressive season filled with fears and worries.
With those fears and worries come a negative body image.
I’m concerned about many different things as I make a huge life transition.
To distract myself from what I am really fearing, I turn to the mirror and criticize every piece of my body and the decisions I made that day that might have affected it.
I can return to the excited, energetic, fashionable person I once was.
How you can stop thinking, “I hate my body.”
First, address the issues fueling your fears because ignoring them and focusing on criticizing yourself is not productive.
Start to make some changes, and with those changes comes hope.
The destructive thoughts will occur less throughout the day.
So, if you hate your body, I encourage you to look at the rest of your life.
What’s really going on?
What else is shaking your confidence?
Do one thing today that will move you closer to solving the other concerns in your life, and watch as your confidence rises and your life changes.
Have you noticed that your body image gets worse when you are stressed?
Let us know in the comments below.
If you think you might have a body image issue- visit the National Eating Disorder Association for more information and resources.
