Why is negative body image so pervasive?
Lexie:“We grow up in a world that objectifies us.
We learn what makes us valuable and worthy of attention when we’re 2 or 3 years old.
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That’s when self-objectification kicks in, and we become focused on the image of ourselves.
We worry that our thighs are too jiggly or our butt is too big.
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What does your message “your body is an instrument, not an ornament” mean?
Our definition ofpositive body imageisn’t about believing your body looks good it’s knowing that your bodyisgood.
To be sustainable, body image needs to be rooted in how we feel inside.
You get to decide that you love yourself, that you are valuable.”
Then we need new ways to respond to those things.
But they’re not.
The most beautiful women in the world still get lonely and deal with rejection, unhappiness, anddepression.
So we need to be willing to tell ourselves a different story.
My dream body was never real, but my dreams are and I can fulfill them.
This has been empowering for me, and I want other women to do it too.
That’s how you find happiness and confidence."
Can moving your body help you with this process?
Lindsay:“Definitely.
Redefining health and fitness for yourself is a really useful strategy for building body-image resilience.
But when we objectify our health like that, it makes it so much less personal and achievable.
“The better way is to focus on how you feel and what you’re able to do.
It can be a game-changer.”