Some people also find it helpful to think of even the normal things that their body can do. For example, you can say “My body is strong enough to carry me throughout the day. ”
For instance, if you like a certain TV show, look on websites like Etsy or RedBubble to see if you can find a shirt in your size that has a character or phrase from the show on it. Pick your favorite features and buy clothes that show them off. For example, if you’re taller and have long legs, wear high-waisted pants and heels to elongate your legs. If you’re not sure what to wear to flatter your body, try following some “guidelines” for how to dress in flattering clothes for your shape. Visit a store that caters to plus-size bodies, and ask for recommendations. No matter what size you are, you can dress well and look put-together. Don’t worry about the size listed on your clothing label. These numbers are arbitrary and don’t define you! You are a unique individual who is more than just a number on the label.
You can also throw your own mini spa day at home by taking a bath, giving yourself a manicure and pedicure, exfoliating and moisturizing your skin, and doing an at-home facemask.
For instance, if an ad starts with something like “Want to get rid of those unsightly fat rolls on your stomach and back?” the goal of the ad is to make you self-conscious about something that most people experience, regardless of their weight. The ad suggests the idea that fat rolls are unsightly and bad. When you feel bad about how you look, you’re more likely to be interested in what they’re selling. Advertising is meant to make you feel a certain way to get you to react to the product or brand. In most cases, the companies want you to buy a product. If you understand what they’re doing in their ads, it’s easier to resist the urge to feel bad about your body. Instead of looking at magazines that try to make you feel bad, pick up a magazine that uses normal sized models! More brands are starting to use normal people as models rather than unrealistic, photo-shopped images.
Living your life this way can also lead to a healthier lifestyle overall. It may take some practice, but it’s entirely possible with some dedication. Remember that discussions about your health and weight should occur between you and your doctor. If your doctor believes that your weight might be affecting your health, work with them to come up with a plan for leading a healthier lifestyle.
It’s a good idea to set some goals that are health related, such as increasing your activity level or eating more vegetables. However, make sure you’re also working toward your life goals, like earning a degree, getting a job you want, expanding your creative life, doing an open mic night, or starting your own herb garden.
If you have trouble with negative thoughts about your body, you can try redirecting these thoughts into positive thoughts by saying something like “It’s okay to feel bad sometimes, but I know that I’m a beautiful person inside and out. ” Even if you don’t believe what you’re saying in the moment, just saying the phrase can help you feel better.
Your therapist can also help you overcome cognitive distortion, which is a common issue. You may have a tendency to distort what’s happening in your life to make it seem worse than it is, such as by having all or nothing thinking, only seeing the negative in a situation, jumping to conclusions, trying to read other people’s minds, or assuming other people’s behaviors are because of you. Your therapist can help you identify when this is happening so you can learn how to stop. [9] X Research source Remember, the therapist is there to help you, not punish or shame you for feeling bad. If you aren’t able to afford therapy, consider visiting a counseling clinic at a nearby university with a mental health counseling program. Sometimes, they offer free or heavily discounted sessions to help graduate students gain patient experience.
Speak up when your friends say body-negative things about themselves and others. If someone says something negative about their body, say something like, “You’re a beautiful person inside and out! Let’s focus on what we like about ourselves, not what we don’t like. ”
For example, if you have an important meeting at work, you can approach one of your coworkers after the meeting and say, “I really admire how great you are at public speaking! You made the information so easy to understand. Thank you so much!” If you have children, you can model this behavior by praising them for qualities rather than looks. For instance, instead of saying “You look so handsome!” or “You’re so pretty!” you can say “You’re so kind to your friends!” or “You’re so intelligent!”
For instance, if your car has an oil change coming up, you can challenge yourself to do it by yourself. Check out tutorials online and read your owner’s manual, and then use the information that you’ve learned to do the oil change. If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, take an introductory class that meets weekly and practice your skills at home. You might be impressed by how much you can learn in just a few months!
For example, if you like bowling, you can sign up for a local bowling league to make new friends and practice your game. If you like books and reading, find a book club that meets near you and read the book for the next meeting.
Keep in mind that even if a show or movie has a plus size person on the cast, it might portray them negatively. Try to watch shows and movies that focus on positive, real-life depictions of overweight people. The actors and actresses who play these characters can also be good examples of how to be confident when you’re an overweight adult.
For example, Target has a variety of plus size collections for men and women, and these sections in the store have pictures of plus size models wearing the clothes. They can also have plus size mannequins that give an example of how the clothes might look in real life. Online “fast fashion” retailers, like ASOS, Forever21, and H&M, also use plus size models for their extended sizes and offer a variety of fashionable, inexpensive clothing options for overweight people. The popularity of plus size models, such as Tess Holliday and Zach Miko, have encouraged major brands to move into the plus-size clothing industry.
Often, people assume that an overweight person would only exercise to lose weight. These athletes work hard to challenge these ideas. Some overweight athletes offer free training videos for overweight people who are just getting started with becoming more active.
