Do You Have a Healthy Body Image?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of us have a critical image of our bodies which other people may admire. Art does not always imitate real life, though. The culture around us can warp our self-image and distort reality because it is impossible for every woman to be a size 4.

From movies to magazines, we have all dreamed of having the ideal body type, perfect hair, and skin -the list goes on… You know almost zero percent body fat. Well, here is another point of view. God wants us to all realize that He made us differently to serve His purpose. Think about it. Everyone has a different talent that cannot be duplicated. No one sings the same, draws the same way, or cooks the same. You might not swim Mike Phelps the Olympic swimmer, but you may have a gift for something he cannot do.

In fact, the bible tells us that God knew the plans he had for us before we were knitted in our mother’s womb. We were made especially for our purpose on earth, the purpose that he planned for us. I do not know why we cannot be content in our own skin. It is a journey that some of us grow into with time, maybe.

I know people in my community that are real sizes, maybe a size 14. Yet, their inner glow and comfort in their skin is so inspiring that I am sure girls want to emulate them instead of the super thin models in the magazines.

So what about your body image? Yahoo Shine has a self-test that I included. Tell us what you think.
How do you feel about your body?

• The way I feel about my body is definitely informed by media images. If I steer clear of magazines and television, I feel better about myself.

• I love my body! Sure, I have down days about it, but for the most part, I really have a good self-image.

• I feel pretty crummy about my body. Losing weight is the only way I could feel better about it.

• When I exercise, I feel great about my body. It helps me to remember what it can do, not just what it looks like.

• I recognize that my body is not the Hollywood ideal, but that look is a manufactured fantasy! I feel sexy and strong just the way I am.

• Something else — I’ll explain in the comments.