“I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it’s important to embrace it and get down!” says singer Christina Aguilera. “The female body is something that’s so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis other women for being proud of theirs!”

And here’s another quotation about body confidence from Germaine Greer:

“I learned fairly early on that a beautiful woman doesn’t consider herself beautiful at all. She’s often crippled by lack of confidence. Every woman has something they dislike about themselves: if they’re blonde, they want to be dark, if they’re tall, they want to be short. If they have big breasts, they want to be flat-chested. The list is endless.” – Ed Burns in Germaine Greer’s The Whole Woman.

Don’t waste your energy, my friends! For more info on feeling better about your body, click Wanting to be Her: Body Image Secrets Victoria Won’t Tell You by Michelle Graham. And, read on for four ways to improve a negative body image…

Improving a Negative Body Image – Christina Aguilera

1. Accept that you’re not a mind reader. You may think you know what the guy in the elevator thinks of your body…but you don’t have a clue. To improve a negative body image, admit that you can’t read people’s minds! People are generally thinking about themselves 99% of the time: their work, their feelings, their opinions, their hunger pangs, their gas. You don’t know what people are thinking – so assume the best!

2. Let go of all-or-nothing beliefs. Accept yourself as a whole woman, flaws and warts and weaknesses and all. If your hair looks funny or you feel dumpy, it doesn’t mean you’re unattractive or fat! People don’t notice what you do – you’re your harshest critic. To improve a negative body image, practice enjoying yourself even if your hair isn’t perfect or your skin isn’t flawless.

3. Focus on your passions. To improve a negative body image, do something counterintuitive! Forget about your skin, weight, size, and shape. Instead, what do you love to do? What excites you, what makes you forget about time and place? Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel, paint, or explore the antique shops in the funkiest part of town. When you explore new things or concentrate on what makes you happy, you’ll increase your body esteem.

4. Stop hiding. Be real with others. I don’t just mean physically – I mean emotionally and intellectually. If you feel self-conscious about your belly or thighs, talk about it with your partner. Talk about where your lack of confidence as a woman stems from. To improve a negative body image, be authentic and real. You’ll not only feel better about yourself, you’ll encourage others to be real, too.

Do you struggle with a low body image? I suspect you might…I know I do! What woman doesn’t? Feel free to share your thoughts below. And before you go, here’s a great thought from a friend of mine:

“I look at pictures of myself when I was in my 30′s, and I can’t believe how beautiful I was,” said my 68 year old friend. “I was always trying to lose weight, I was always comparing myself to other women, and I was never happy with my appearance. What a waste of energy.”

Don’t waste your energy hating your body!

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