Developing a healthy body image is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy mindset. It all starts from how you think of yourself, and when it comes down to it, you must accept yourself for the person that you are.

It can surely be tough though. You’re constantly being thrown images of people who are almost impossibly thin and this leads you to set unattainable goals for yourself. Since you can’t reach these impossible goals, you can get easily discouraged. But there is good news!

Changing Your Self Image

The good news is that, with the proper drive, you can change the way you think about yourself. Accept your current situation and set goals for yourself that you can actually attain. This sets you up for success and a healthy, enthusiastic attitude as well.

Consider these steps on your path to change:

1. Accept yourself. Accept yourself for who you are and know that it is good. If you look in the mirror and hear the voice inside your head saying negative things about you, change the subject to something positive. You’re a beautiful being and you should love yourself.

2. Avoid comparing yourself to others. It’s so easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to your friends and the models in the magazines. Everyone is different! We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, so make the most of what you’ve got!

3. Accept others. Learning to accept others helps you more easily accept yourself. Pass out sincere compliments to others. If you’re too harsh on others you tend to be too harsh on yourself as well.

4. Make an attainable goal. If you do fall into an overweight or obese category, make an attainable weight loss goal for yourself. Focus on areas that you can improve, like portion size or exercise routines. Just don’t judge yourself or expect yourself to lose weight too fast.

• Some people will just never be tiny no matter how much weight they lose; this goes back to that most important concept of accepting yourself.

5. Ask for help. If you’re struggling with body image issues and the other tips don’t seem to be helping, it’s a good idea to seek out a support system. Confide your true feelings to family and friends and let them help you reach your goals. You can even speak with counselors. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed because they’re trained to deal with these very issues.

Adopting a Positive Mindset

One thing you can do to help develop a positive body image is master the art of reading and writing affirmations each day and in your times of need. Affirmations are short positive statements that you can repeat when necessary or write out for yourself to post in areas where you’ll see them several times every day.

Focus on your positive attributes. If you have beautiful eyes, post yourself a reminder about your beautiful eyes near the bathroom mirror. You might be struggling with weight loss goals, but you still have your beautiful eyes. When you hold onto a positive feeling, it gives you a drive and a glimmer of hope. This positive attitude will make it easier for you to reach your goals!

If you’ve tried to lose weight and failed, you’re probably thinking that it’s a mighty difficult task to accomplish. Do you feel like you’ve tried every diet out there and nothing works?

Don’t give up! Achieving your weight loss goals might be easier than you think!

Small Changes = Big Results

As you’ve no doubt noticed, weight loss isn’t a quick fix. You can’t go on a two-week diet, lose the weight, and then think that the weight will stay off for good. Even if you’re really good about following a diet at first, you’ll more than likely gain the weight back.

Why?

It’s because a two-week diet does nothing to alter your lifestyle. The best results come from changes that you incorporate into your daily life, and many of these changes aren’t drastically different from what you do now.

You can even continue to enjoy the foods you love as long as you do so with a wise plan!

If you make a series of small changes, one at a time, you’ll give yourself a chance to get used to them. It won’t seem like such a shock to your system when you introduce the changes gradually. Sooner than you think, you’ll lose the weight and gain the healthy body and lifestyle that you desire!

Here are some weight loss tips to implement into your new lifestyle:

1. Use low fat milk. When you use low fat milk, you’ll still get the nutritious benefits of milk, but without all the fat grams. Try substituting skim, 1%, or soy milk in your cereal, coffee, and cooking.

2. Cut out soda. Soda is a big offender when it comes to empty calories. The best thing you can do for your body is to replace the soda you’re drinking with water. Water is critical to your good health. It also helps fill you up and has zero calories, no matter how much you drink!

• If you’re having trouble kicking the soda habit, try alternating soda and water each time you go to get a drink. This will gradually get you used to less soda and increase your water intake.

3. Start walking. If a regular exercise routine is difficult for you, strive to walk more often. Walking doesn’t feel so much like true exercise, but it is and you’ll be rewarded for it.

• Park farther from the store so you have to walk a little distance.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Go for an enjoyable walk with your neighbor. You can visit, catch up, and exercise all at the same time!

4. Watch your portion sizes. Portion sizes just keep getting larger and larger. You may not even realize that you’re consuming a portion that’s much too large for you. Look up what a healthy portion size really is for the meal you’ve chosen. You might be surprised at the results!

• Start your meals with a full glass of water.

• Combat oversized portions by using smaller plates.
• Half your plate should be vegetables, a quarter should be protein, and the other quarter should be carbohydrates.
• Give yourself the correct amount of food and then refrain from seconds.

5. Have desserts sparingly. Save desserts for special occasions or times when you deserve a nice treat. Avoid eating them every day, or you’ll be adding massive amounts of calories to your daily intake.

• It’s a good idea to plan ahead for occasional desserts and only buy them for those certain meals. That way, they aren’t there tempting you the rest of the time.
• Have plenty of healthy snacks available to curb hunger or cravings in between meals.

You can easily turn these tips into healthy habits by incorporating them into your lifestyle one at a time. Get used to one tip before you add another one. Most of them involve only small changes. However, these small changes will enable you to achieve your weight loss goals!

I make sure to take care of my body and mind. When I work, I work hard. But when it is time to relax, I focus entirely on me, leaving stress behind.

I know rest and exercise is important to my physical health. Exercise keeps me at a healthy weight and helps my heart pump optimally.

Rest allows my cells to renew themselves and helps them ward off illnesses. I am able to avoid more extensive time loss from illness and disease because I give myself enough rest each night.

I also rest for the sake of my emotional and spiritual strength and stamina. The more rested I am, the more I am able to proactively rise above stress.

I also rest and exercise for my personal creativity. A tired mind is a muddled mind, and I keep mine rested so it can be clear and open to whatever insights may cross my path. Creativity is not something that can be forced; it simply infuses me when I am able to allow it.

For these reasons, I regularly invest in the health and well-being of my body, mind, and spirit.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I invest in my own health and well-being?

2. Do I recognize the extra energy available to me when I exercise my body and mind?

3. Do I allow myself enough rest to be open to the creative impulses that cross my path?

In this moment

In this moment
I am love
Filled with guidance from up above…

In this moment
I have all I need
Enjoying life abundantly…

In this moment
I am clothed
Adorned with the beauty that nature holds…

In this moment
I look around
Giving thanks as I walk this ground…

In this moment
I am fed
And I have a place to lay my head…

In this moment
My heart sings
Of the love and joy each moment brings…

In this moment
I am whole
Balanced and harmonized within my soul…

In this moment
I shall be
Connected with all and yet still me…

Wonderful poem I found on http://awakenyourpotential.wordpress.com/

ByLeticia G. Dominguez - Certified Life Coach, Motivational/Inspirational Speaker and Author and Poet

Relaxation is important to my well-being. I take a night off each month to do something I enjoy because I know this leads to greater health and productivity. When I work, I do so with all my heart, and when I relax, I allow myself to be equally present and engaged with the activity at hand.

Sometimes I choose to watch a movie with friends. Sometimes I relish a hike through the woods. Other times, I simply prefer to stay home, curled up with a book.

Whatever I choose to do, taking time for myself renews my energy. When I go back to my routine tasks, I find myself more focused and productive, with a better perspective on the stressors in my life.

I am better able to deal with challenges that come up in my daily life when I have time set aside for relaxation. I am unapologetic about taking this time out because I know relaxation makes me a better person, more competent and better able to meet the needs of those around me when I return.

It doesn’t matter what others tell me is a good use of my relaxation time. The point is that I, myself, thoroughly enjoy whatever I am doing and I engage in my own personal relaxation wholeheartedly, without guilt.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What do I enjoy doing most?
2. When was the last time I allowed myself to do something relaxing just for myself?
3. Which upcoming evening can I plan to set aside for relaxation and fun?

Just as I know that every day the sun will rise and set in its regular routine, I also know that each new dawn brings tremendous possibilities for change. In nature, no day is exactly like the day before.

In the same way, even when my life seems routine, I realize the potential is there for me to change whatever I desire.

It is healthy for my mind and spirit to change every day routines. Change keeps my mind sharp and my spirit energized. When I need to complete the same tasks day after day, I can still accomplish them in different ways so I can avoid getting into a rut.

For example, my daily household chores can be done in any order I choose, so I change the order around each day. Some days I dance while I do them and other days I sing. Sometimes I listen to classical music and other times I rock out!

Mindless chores also give me the chance to think through new ideas and create action plans for achieving my goals. After all, do I really need to think about garbage when I take out the trash? Do I really need to focus on dirt when I vacuum?

I realize that the only way I can get stuck in the same routines and stagnate is if I allow myself to do so. It is so easy to spice up the mundane, all I have to do is take swift action!

When life gets boring, I can expand my knowledge instead of watching TV. I can learn a new hobby, practice a new skill, or go on an adventure. Each of these changes sparks new passions and opens up even more opportunities for further fulfillment.

Today, I see life as different from any day that has come before. I can grab hold of any opportunities I may have missed because I am willing to be adaptable.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I feel stuck in my routines?
2. What actions can I take to change them?
3. What exciting adventure can I plan for my next day off?

I am starting a new series of affirmations. The next few posts are great for continuing your momentum to lose weight and take care of you.

I make sure to take care of my body and mind. When I work, I work hard. But when it is time to relax, I focus entirely on me, leaving stress behind.

I know rest and exercise is important to my physical health. Exercise keeps me at a healthy weight and helps my heart pump optimally.

Rest allows my cells to renew themselves and helps them ward off illnesses. I am able to avoid more extensive time loss from illness and disease because I give myself enough rest each night.

I also rest for the sake of my emotional and spiritual strength and stamina. The more rested I am, the more I am able to proactively rise above stress.

I also rest and exercise for my personal creativity. A tired mind is a muddled mind, and I keep mine rested so it can be clear and open to whatever insights may cross my path. Creativity is not something that can be forced; it simply infuses me when I am able to allow it.

For these reasons, I regularly invest in the health and well-being of my body, mind, and spirit.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I invest in my own health and well-being?

2. Do I recognize the extra energy available to me when I exercise my body and mind?

3. Do I allow myself enough rest to be open to the creative impulses that cross my path?

Everyone goes through a period where life feels out of control and imbalanced. It’s perfectly normal! But how can you achieve a balance in these hectic times?

Understanding what balance truly means is the first step toward creating a balanced lifestyle. Life balance doesn’t necessarily mean giving equal amounts of time or attention to each part of your life. That’s the big myth!

Life balance is about knowing when to give a little more effort, when it’s time to call it quits, and when everything feels just right.

These six tips will help you strike a better balance in life:

1. Make time for you. Realize that you’re important and valuable. Taking care of your happiness (and sanity) is an essential part of creating a balanced life. Even if for just two hours each week, put everyone else’s needs aside and focus on you!

• Take a candlelit bubble bath while having a glass of wine and catching up on your favorite Hollywood gossip. Or, maybe just take your dog to the park on a sunny afternoon. Do whatever helps you unwind and enter a mindset of total relaxation.

2. Strive for a healthy lifestyle. Both exercise and a conscious diet are necessary in order to remain healthy and happy. Set aside 30-minutes each week to exercise. Your workout can be anything under the sun, as long as it keeps you active.

• If eating healthy is a challenge, avoid bringing unhealthy food into your home. You can’t be tempted if it isn’t around the house. Not only will it keep your heart healthy and your waistline under control, it’ll promote healthy eating habits in your children.

3. Leave work in the office. There’s a reason you have a work schedule: your employer is only willing to pay you for a specific amount of time each day. Do your family a favor and leave work at work. Avoid overworking yourself if there isn’t a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

• If you find that there aren’t enough hours in the workday to maintain your responsibilities, find a way to strengthen your productivity while at the office. If this proves to be fruitless, explain your situation to your employer. He may be willing to pay you for an extra hour each day or lessen your workload.

4. Make time for love. Rekindle the romance by making thoughtful gestures. Bring home a candle in her favorite scent, send roses to the workplace, or maybe even hire a maid so your wife can spend more time doing the things she loves. Spend quality, uninterrupted time with your spouse.

• Simply watching TV together isn’t enough. Send the kids over to grandma’s house for a weekend and plan a romantic getaway. If you’re on a budget, plan a romantic camping trip. Nothing says romance like 2-days in the wild.

5. Live within your means. If your finances are causing you stress, it’s time to reassess your budget. Make budget cuts in order to proactively work towards achieving your financial goals.

• Eliminate obvious splurges, such as cable television upgrades and pricey cell phone plans. Cut down on your energy bill by turning down the thermostat and doing laundry less frequently or during non-peak hours.

• As a final resort, you may need to sell your home or downgrade to a cheaper rental. Sure, it’s nice to have granite countertops and sprawling acreage, but can you go without? You sure can. Live within your means and feel the relief it brings!

6. Socialize. Hanging out with friends allows you to unwind and have a few laughs. Make it a point to meet up with friends at least once each month. Go out to dinner or host a get together in your home.

• If your spouse is jealous, double dating is a great opportunity to include him in your social life.

Leading an unbalanced lifestyle is one of the leading causes of stress for professionals. Inability to cope with stress can cause numerous health problems, such as weight gain, migraines and even heart complications. Fortunately, you can be the exception. You can ward off health problems by nipping stress in the bud.

You are now empowered, equipped, and ready to create balance in your life! Practice these strategies each day and, one day soon, you’ll feel the harmony of a balanced life.

What a joy it is to feel harmony in our home! Striving to build a happy, healthy family at home is a very important endeavor, and the rewards are great for those who make it a priority. Families provide each of us with a sense that we belong, and our families contribute to our individual identity.

A healthy family structure can provide the emotional support to nurture and instill a sense of security in all of us. Relationships that we share in the family also allow us to develop the morals and basic values that we carry throughout our lives. This is why it’s so very important that we each strive to have the goal of building a happy, healthy family at home.

• Building solid relationships within the family is absolutely essential for the success of each individual in the family – whether young or old.

4 Elements of a Strong Family Bond

All too often you hear stories of dysfunctional families who have multiple problems and just don’t know how to function or communicate with each other. Surely this is not a scenario you imagined when you started your family! Rather than risk that path in life, here are some tips for developing a strong family bond:

1. Respect your family members. When it comes to family members, respect should be issued right from the beginning, even if it has yet to be earned. At the same time, it’s also important that you work to earn the respect of other members of the family.

• Respect is simply the process of placing value in the other people who make up your family.

2. Enjoy shared experiences together. The old saying, “A family who plays together stays together,” is very relevant in today’s world. Sharing experiences helps to build respect.  It also enables you to learn more about the people that you share a home with so you can discover their likes, dislikes, and the things that make them thrive from day to day.

• Families should work hard to ensure that they make time to spend with each other – both as a team and with each other on a one-to-one basis.

3. Trust your family. It’s been said that trust is a requirement for all fulfilling relationships, whether in your personal life, social life, or professional life. If you have respect for an individual and spend enough time with them to know their needs and desires, a mutual trust grows naturally.

• Trust is necessary to have open and honest relationships in the family.

4. Learn to give as well as take. Successful families know and understand the importance of the “two way street” that should exist within the family structure. When every family member understands this, you will all enjoy working and playing together.

Every family member should know and understand their role and work to give and take on an equal basis.

It’s Never Too Late To Start Building a Happy Family

If you currently have discord and contention in your family, you might think it’s too late to rectify the situation. However, by taking positive steps to make changes as a whole family, you can start to rebuild your trust and respect.

One parent alone can’t make these changes by themselves. Open communication is critical so the entire family can understand what the current problems are and how to fix them. You may meet some resistance, but focusing on peace and harmony in the home should motivate even the most stubborn child. Once your family members get a taste of the happiness and security that a loving family brings to them, they won’t want to live any other way!

Want help maintaining your weight and losing weight consider the following exercises.

With your hectic daily routine – getting ready for work, getting the kids ready for school, making sure your socks aren’t floating in the dog’s water bowl, a busy day at work, coming home and fixing dinner, cleaning up the house and getting everyone, including yourself, to sleep – exercise is usually the last thing on your mind!
Stress levels and obesity are at an all time high and health concerns are making themselves a priority in many people’s lives.

However, exercise is the one thing that can energize you to handle such a busy lifestyle with flying colors! Exercising reduces stress, helps you sleep better, and keeps health concerns at bay, while also boosting your self-confidence.

No More Excuses Allowed

It’s a good thing the human body is made the way it is, because there are many exercises you can do anywhere, at any time. All you need are a couple of makeshift weights you can find around the house and the physical weight of your body.

When exercising, remember to get a good warm-up and finish off with a slow cool-down. This is important to prevent injury and is easy to accomplish no matter where you are. Walking works well for both your warm-up and cool-down routine.

Here are 5 simple exercises you can do anywhere:

1. Tricep Dips. Sit on the edge of a chair or bench with your hands next to your thighs. Lift your body out just in front of the chair, with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Lower yourself down so your elbows bend no more than 90 degrees and push yourself back up.

• Start off with a few small sets and build up from there.
• Straightening your legs increases the workout.
• Avoid this exercise if you have wrist or shoulder problems.

2. Pushups. Everyone knows the standard pushup position, so let’s try some things to change it up a bit.

• You can do pushups with your hands wider than shoulder width to get more of a shoulder and chest workout.
• If you bring your hands together into a diamond shape near the center of your chest you will work more of the triceps and shoulders.
• Working half pushups – either going only half way down and then back up, or starting from the floor and only pushing up half way and then going back down – will intensify your pushup workout.

3. Crunches. Crunches are great for your abs if you do them correctly. Done incorrectly, they can put undue stress on your neck and back. To avoid injury, be sure to use the correct techniques.

• The biggest risk is if you jerk your neck to give you the force to crunch. While doing crunches, keep your hands behind your head and your elbows back while using your stomach muscles to lift your head and chin towards the ceiling.

• Once you’ve mastered this technique, try lifting your legs off the ground or assuming a bicycle position with one leg bent and the other straight off of the ground.

4. Squats. Body weight squats are a great exercise you can do anywhere and a fantastic way to learn proper technique. Start off your squat workouts by lowering yourself only a foot or so. Then work up to deeper squats as your muscles become accustomed to the exercise.

• If you’re feeling a bit advanced and in need of a more intense workout, grab two 2-liter bottles filled with sand and try performing squats while holding one in each hand.
  

5. Calf Raises. Calf raises can be done wherever there is a raised surface, such as a stairway. If you need balance, hold onto the railing. Facing the stairs, stand with only your toes on the stair and your feet extending out past it. Standing straight up, lower your body down below the level of the stair and then back up onto your toes.

• Even though it seems as if this is an ankle exercise, it also works out your calf muscles.

• The biggest emphasis on this exercise is the ability to go from an extreme negative position with ankle below toes to an extreme positive position, ankle fully raised.

With these five exercises, you have a full body workout. Remember to pay attention to your body and take it easy at first. Soreness is a good thing, but pain means you need to stop. Try these exercises out today and feel the healthy difference of fitness on the run.