Love Your Body

"Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care." -Buddha

We've all heard that comparison is the thief of joy and most of us spend our days consumed by the hate-fest of our body. Constantly comparing your body to other's, never being good enough-the negative self-talk is relentless and brutal. Even practicing self-care has become a glamorous show-and-tell where social media makes you feel like you have to post a photo-shoot worthy bath. Nixing the idea that there's a perfect way to participate in self-care is the first step to loving yourself. Most individuals struggle with this concept and implementing these four steps can vastly improve your overall health!

Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love

Negative self-talk only hurts one person, you. It's powerful to recognize that self-hatred is unproductive and a slippery slope taking you farther from the things you want. How would you feel if you others spoke to you in a demeaning manner, weren't supportive, spoke life into your fears and insecurities constantly? You probably wouldn't feel too great and you don't feel great when you do it to yourself. Most of us are supportive, uplifting, kind, compassionate, caring and loving to those close to us and should give that same energy to ourselves.

Try looking in the mirror each morning and tell yourself three things that you love about yourself! If you aren't sure what to say, ask yourself what positive affirmation someone you love would want or need to hear from you. If you can say it to them, you can say it to you!

Make a menu for the week

Eating healthy, fresh foods sounds easy enough until life gets in the way. Planning meals ahead of time eliminates impulse buying and eating out, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits. For those looking to lose weight, this can be a successful tool to curving those negative habits.

Move for at least 30 minutes a day

Movement is the key to life! Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or thirty minutes-five days a week is recommended. Whether it's a solid personal training session or lunchtime stroll, moving in some way is great for you physical and mental health. With Fitness Together we empower you to have the energy to do what you love with a customize workout program made just for you, in-studio or virtually on the go!

Make a list of five things that don't totally suck

It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day rush and stress and forget all the wonderful things that happen to us and all that we accomplish! When we focus on what we don't have or what we haven't accomplished, we feel frustrated and ready to give up. Rather than fixating on the seven pounds you haven't lost, or the pants you can't fit in, make a list of your daily accomplishments. It's a success if you participated in physical activity that day, or drank your allotted amount of water, or chose a healthy snack over eating out. No accomplishment is too small to be grateful for, because it has taken you one more step further in the right direction!

Learning to love yourself by catching and releasing negativity and acknowledging all your successes will lead to the external transformation you've always wanted. When you begin to treat yourself with respect and the genuine care you deserve, naturally, you develop habits focused on your physical health and wellbeing. Before you know it, you'll glow from the inside out and be happy with the person you see in the mirror!