Your Body Image….It is not all about you.
There are many physical benefits to regular exercise including higher self-esteem and positive body image. When a woman makes the decision to exercise for herself and no one else, there is a confidence that is created within her and is reflected to those around her. However, women who have a poor body image are sometimes unable to see how it may be affecting other areas of their life, especially their relationships. They may become busy with life and unable to evaluate what it is costing them. Being a size two or twenty two is not the point. It is about feeling good with who you are as a woman and taking control of your health and fitness. It is easy to say, how you feel about your body does not affect anyone else, but it could be affecting your relationship without you realizing it.
For example:
- Your Relationship with Your Spouse
Your relationship with your spouse is greatly affected when being intimate with him or participating in his favorite outdoor activities become uncomfortable for you because you do not feel good about your body. The truth is your looks may just be your issue, not his. He just longs to have his wife do the things she once did with him.
- Your Relationship with your Children
Staying physically active can give you the energy to participate in those activities that your children may be begging you to do WITH THEM. Regular exercise gives you the energy and strength you need for them and is a healthy example to pass down to your children.
- Your Relationship with Others
I have seen so many women shy away from participating in social activities with others or avoid putting themselves in situations to meet new people because of a poor body image. It is very sad to think relationships and a deep connection with others are being missed because of a lack of security in oneself.
God wants you to know that you are wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). It is not about being a certain size. It is about feeling confident in who you are so that you are able to be the woman God intended you to be. Make a decision today to take control of your health and fitness by making exercise a part of your life. Don’t allow your feelings of self-doubt and poor body image affect other areas of your life, especially your relationships. If you would like to discover how to be in control of the choices you make with your health and be confident with your body, click here to go to my website.