Strive for a Healthy Body

Make it your goal to become healthy through regular activity and proper nutrition. Don't focus on weight, body size, and shape. Think about health, fitness and enjoying yourself.

Focus on Your Positive Points

Do not define yourself only by your appearance. Develop and nurture the many gifts, skills, and abilities that make you unique. Admire and accentuate the things about you that you feel good about. Remember that beauty is a state of mind that has infinite definitions.

Limit Your Exposure to Negative Images from Your Environment

Research shows that the acceptance of negative images (from media, friends, family, etc.) poses more risk than being exposed to those images. Try to reject negative images from the environment by limiting the amount of time you spend with them.

(For example, people who judge you based on your appearance, magazines/television/movies focused on one standard of beauty, etc.)

Take Notice of All the Cool Things that Your Body Can Do

Remind yourself of the many things that you can do with your body - walking, running, jumping, dancing, breathing, laughing, hugging, smiling, etc. Practice them daily! Involve yourself in activities that help you tune into your body, such as yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, etc.

Develop a Positive Social Support System

Surround yourself with people who are confident and encourage you to be your best. Build a network of friends, family, and co-workers who enjoy life and participate in your healthy lifestyle. Get a walking buddy or a lunch partner with healthy eating habits. Limit time spent with and place limits on people with whom you feel self-conscious and inferior. In addition, try to avoid those who point you towards unhealthy habits.

Devote Time and Energy Towards Helping Yourself and Others

Have a plan of action for those times when you may feel low. Turn your focus on helping and not hurting yourself. What can you do for yourself that would be positive? Make your day better. Take a walk, catch up with an old friend, play with a pet, etc. You may even turn your thoughts to making someone else's day better. Helping other people often makes us feel better about ourselves and our situations.

Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. There are many other things that you can do to boost your body image. In fact, most of us are already contributing to our own positive body images without even realizing it. How often do you focus on your actions and who you are as a person instead of how you look? Do you ever say, "Good job, self!" or compliment yourself during the day?

By no means does this list include everything you can do to improve your body image, but it can be a starting point for action. Use it as a guide for creating a new, positive, encouraging perception of yourself. If you already have a positive body image, this can reaffirm the healthy habits you already have.