Signs That You Need to Improve Your Body Image

Whether it's making promises to lose weight or to exercise more, resolutions have long been a traditional aspect of ringing in the New Year.

For most, health and appearance can be at the top of the list in a relentless pursuit of thinness - a quest that all too often results in low self-esteem, body-image disturbances or an eating disorder.

"Many women obsess over body size and weight and develop distorted body images partly as a reflection of low self-esteem," says Adrienne Ressler, national training director for The Renfrew Centers. Body-image problems range from mild dissatisfaction to severe body-hatred.

Some of the common warning signs that indicate that a person may be suffering from body-image problems include:

• Is unable to accept a compliment.

• Lets mood be affected by how she thinks she looks.

• Constantly compares herself to others.

• Calls herself disparaging names - "fat," "gross," "ugly," "flabby."

• Attempts to create a "perfect" image.

• Seeks constant reassurance from others that her looks are acceptable.

• Consistently overestimates the size of her body or body parts.

• Believes if she could attain her goal weight or size, she would accept herself.

• Allows her drive for thinness to supersede all of life's pleasures or goals.

• Equates thinness with beauty, success, perfection, happiness, confidence, and self-control.

• Compartmentalizes the body into parts - (thighs, stomach, buttocks, hips, etc.) rather than feeling connected to the whole body.

• Has an ever-present fear of being fat - even if she is slim.

• Has an overriding sense of shame about her self and her body.

Focus on the day-to-day decisions to get good, tasty fuel and fun physical activity, have friends, express yourself. These are key elements of physical and emotional well-being!