empowerment

We're All Different...Let's EMBRACE IT :)

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:14:23 +0100

Self-Esteem

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:23:40 +0100

Self-Esteem: 4 Steps to feel better about yourself

If you have low self-esteem, harness the power of your own thoughts and beliefs to change how you feel about yourself. Start with these four steps to a healthier self-esteem.

Low self-esteem can negatively affect virtually every facet of your life, including your relationships, your job and your health. But you can take steps to boost your self-esteem, even if you've been harboring a poor opinion of yourself since childhood. Start with these four steps.

Step 1: Identify troubling conditions or situations

Think about the conditions or situations that seem to deflate your self-esteem. Common triggers might include:

A business presentation

A crisis at work or home

A challenge with a spouse, loved one, co-worker or other close contact

A change in life circumstances, such as a job loss or a child leaving home

Step 2: Become aware of thoughts and beliefs

Once you've identified troubling conditions or situations, pay attention to your thoughts about them. This includes your self-talk — what you tell yourself — and your interpretation of what the situation means. Your thoughts and beliefs might be positive, negative or neutral. They might be rational, based on reason or facts, or irrational, based on false ideas.

Step 3: Challenge negative or inaccurate thinking

Your initial thoughts might not be the only possible way to view a situation — so test the accuracy of your thoughts. Ask yourself whether your view is consistent with facts and logic or whether other explanations for the situation might be plausible.

Be aware that it's sometimes tough to recognize inaccuracies in thinking, though. Most people have automatic, long-standing ways of thinking about their lives and themselves. These long-held thoughts and beliefs can feel normal and factual, but many are actually just opinions or perceptions.

Also pay attention to thought patterns that tend to erode self-esteem:

All-or-nothing thinking. You see things as either all good or all bad. For example, "If I don't succeed in this task, I'm a total failure."

Mental filtering. You see only negatives and dwell on them, distorting your view of a person or situation. For example, "I made a mistake on that report and now everyone will realize I'm not up to this job."

Converting positives into negatives. You reject your achievements and other positive experiences by insisting that they don't count. For example, "I only did well on that test because it was so easy."

Jumping to negative conclusions. You reach a negative conclusion when little or no evidence supports it. For example, "My friend hasn't replied to my email, so I must have done something to make her angry."

Mistaking feelings for facts. You confuse feelings or beliefs with facts. For example, "I feel like a failure, so I must be a failure."

Self put-downs. You undervalue yourself, put yourself down or use self-deprecating humor. This can result from overreacting to a situation, such as making a mistake. For example, "I don't deserve anything better."

Step 4: Adjust your thoughts and beliefs

Now replace negative or inaccurate thoughts with accurate, constructive thoughts. Try these strategies:

Use hopeful statements. Treat yourself with kindness and encouragement. Pessimism can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, if you think your presentation isn't going to go well, you might indeed stumble through it. Try telling yourself things such as, "Even though it's tough, I can handle this situation."

Forgive yourself. Everyone makes mistakes — and mistakes aren't permanent reflections on you as a person. They're isolated moments in time. Tell yourself, "I made a mistake, but that doesn't make me a bad person."

Avoid 'should' and 'must' statements. If you find that your thoughts are full of these words, you might be putting unreasonable demands on yourself — or on others. Removing these words from your thoughts can lead to more realistic expectations.

Focus on the positive. Think about the good parts of your life. Remind yourself of things that have gone well recently. Consider the skills you've used to cope with challenging situations.

Relabel upsetting thoughts. You don't need to react negatively to negative thoughts. Instead, think of negative thoughts as signals to try new, healthy patterns. Ask yourself, "What can I think and do to make this less stressful?"

Encourage yourself. Give yourself credit for making positive changes. For example, "My presentation might not have been perfect, but my colleagues asked questions and remained engaged — which means that I accomplished my goal."

Learning To Love Yourself

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:24:30 +0100

Accept Your Body and Learn to Have a Positive Self Image

By: Chad Tacket of Global Health and Fitness

Because thin females and muscular males are seen as the ideal in our society and because we have come to believe that body size and shape are totally under a person's control, most people enter diet and exercise programs with unrealistic goals and expectations. If you continually strive to achieve a socially imposed ideal, you will never be free of your insecurities or your self-consciousness. You must truly realize and then learn to accept that we are not all meant to be fashion-model size.

Our body size and structure reflects not only our eating and exercise habits but also our genetics. The role this latter factor plays in determining weight seems to vary greatly between individuals. We are all born with a certain body type inherited from our parents. Although hardly anyone is a pure body type, there are three different applicable categories: ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs.

Characteristically, ectomorphs have a light build with slight muscular development. They are usually tall and thin with small frames and narrow hips and shoulders.

Mesomorphs have a husky, muscular build. They often have broad shoulders, and their weight is concentrated in the upper body, making them look compact or stocky.

Endomorphs are characterized by a heavy, rounded build with shoulders usually narrower than their hips. They have a round, soft appearance and are more often overweight or obese.

When we understand and appreciate our bodies, we are able to work with them, not against them. Although many of us are a combination of two body types, we cannot become what we are not. However, everyone can improve their appearance and their health and performance levels by implementing the principles of a safe and effective eating and exercise program.

Even if you have a genetic predisposition to being overweight, the way you live is what ultimately determines whether you become fat. Genes clearly play a role, but they certainly don't determine what you're going to have for dinner or how often you exercise. Chances are if you're living an unhealthy lifestyle, you'll become fat and unhealthy.

All of us can't be thin. But every single one of us can be healthy. By focusing on what you're eating and how much you're exercising, you'll be able to achieve optimum health and fitness, even though you may not achieve society's ideal of thinness. Accepting yourself does not mean that you're hopeless and that it's okay to do nothing. It means that you feel good and care about yourself, and that you want to be the very best you can be, regardless of your genetics, regardless of society's standards.

To achieve this level of optimum wellness, you must have a positive self image. This means that your feelings about your body are not influenced by events in your daily life. For many people, life's problems are projected onto their body. "If only I were thinner--or more muscular, I would have made the team, gotten the job, been chosen. . . . If only I were thinner--or more muscular, I could meet more people, find the right guy/girl, be happy." This self-defeating habit is reinforced by the images we see in advertising; your body becomes an easy target for everything wrong in your life.

When you have a positive self-image, you value and respect your body; you are also more likely to feel good about living a healthy lifestyle.

No matter how much genetics predetermines how you store and lose fat, the body you've been given will still respond positively to being appreciated and treated well. Focusing on fun physical activity and eating healthy foods will help you feel good whatever your size. Developing a healthy, positive image of yourself is the first critical factor in your fitness success. Having a strong sense of self-worth provides the basis for making rational and affirming decisions about your health. Good luck, stay positive, and enjoy all the wonderful benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle!

A Misconstrued Conception of Beauty

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:58:49 +0100

Here’s a link to a great story about our society’s misconstrued perception of beauty. The article is pretty lengthy, and we weren’t able to get it up here. But follow the link and enjoy!

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=197020

No Body is Perfect

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:30:40 +0100

Body image is an issue to many women, young and old. However, never blame it to tourself.

Because No Body and Nobody is perfect! That's also the reason people become lovable.

Beauty Pressure

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:33:52 +0100

No matter, really, since with appearances in a Tina Turner video, on the cover ofElle and on runways for Chanel and Ralph Lauren, the 5'11" Wek has helped redefine the concept. "We're finally appreciating the beauty of other cultures," says former model Beverly Johnson, praising Wek's ebony skin and strong African features. "She's the most magnificent-looking woman, like a sculpture." Wek, who moved to New York City in 1996, initially didn't understand her impact. "I didn't get all the 'sister' stuff I kept hearing," she says. "I didn't understand what my modeling meant to some people." Nor-is she completely comfortable yet with the Western penchant for compliments. "In Sudan," she says, "we would never go on about beauty and body parts and proportions." ife and never worn makeup," she explains. "No one grows up hearing the word 'beautiful' in Sudan."

No matter, really, since with appearances in a Tina Turner video, on the cover
That said, Wek admits she sometimes laments not getting her sister's 34C chest. And she will reveal her beauty tips: baby shampoo for her hair, a bit of vanilla scent, Rollerblading and healthy living. "If you don't eat properly and get lots of sleep," Wek advises, "it's going to show on your face." Above all, she says, "I always feel joy within, and I like to let it show through." She wears it well.

The Beauty of a Woman

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:18:49 +0100

The Beauty of a Woman

By: Various Authors

The beauty of a woman
isn't in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman
must be seen from in her eyes;
Because that's the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman
isn't in a facial mole;
But true beauty in a woman,
is reflected by her soul.

It's the caring that she cares to give,
the passion that she shows;
And the beauty of a woman
with passing years only grows.

empowerment

We're All Different...Let's EMBRACE IT :)

Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem: 4 Steps to feel better about yourself If you have low self-esteem, harness the power of your own thoughts and beliefs to change how you feel about yourself. Start with these four steps to a healthier self-esteem.

Step 1: Identify troubling conditions or situations

Step 2: Become aware of thoughts and beliefs

Step 3: Challenge negative or inaccurate thinking

Step 4: Adjust your thoughts and beliefs

Learning To Love Yourself

A Misconstrued Conception of Beauty

Here’s a link to a great story about our society’s misconstrued perception of beauty. The article is pretty lengthy, and we weren’t able to get it up here. But follow the link and enjoy! http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=197020

No Body is Perfect

Beauty Pressure

The Beauty of a Woman

Self-Esteem: 4 Steps to feel better about yourself

If you have low self-esteem, harness the power of your own thoughts and beliefs to change how you feel about yourself. Start with these four steps to a healthier self-esteem.

Here’s a link to a great story about our society’s misconstrued perception of beauty. The article is pretty lengthy, and we weren’t able to get it up here. But follow the link and enjoy!

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=197020