How to Be Content With Your Curves

Flip through the glossy pages of the nearest fashion magazine or celebrity tabloid, and the message is clear: Thin is in. So, it's no wonder our culture is obsessed with dieting. In fact, "Media images that help to create cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness are often acknowledged as being among those factors contributing to the rise of eating disorders," notes the National Eating Disorders Association. Not only is a thin-as-a-rail figure an unrealistic goal for most of us, but also it isn't healthy either. That's why it's so important to learn to be content with your curves and develop a positive body image.

Instructions

Embrace a Positive Body Image

• 1

  Look for inspiration from empowering women who use their curves to their advantage. Even if you know in your head that those models in Vogue magazine are unhealthily thin, it's easy for your perspective to get skewed if you don't balance those images with more realistic ones. Think J.Lo, Beyonce, Marilyn Monroe -- women whose curves not only didn't hinder, but defined their sex appeal.

• 2

  Crunch the numbers and determine a healthy weight range for you. You can calculate your body mass index, or BMI, by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, then multiplying by 703. Or just plug your numbers into one of the many online BMI calculators. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an ideal range as being between 18.5 and 24.9. You may be surprised to learn how much variation still qualifies as healthy --- and how unhealthily thin many models and celebrities are.

• 3

  Shift your focus from fretting over how your body looks to being amazed at what it can do. While running is great exercise for weight control, rather than focus on a goal of shedding pounds, consider how amazing the act itself is. Relish in activities such as dancing or laughing, hugging or spinning around until you are dizzy. And set fitness goals based on physical accomplishments, such as running a 5K race or learning to dance salsa, rather than the number of calories those activities may burn.

• 4

  Wear clothes that fit and flatter. Don't hide behind boring baggy shirts and dresses. Instead, go for some gusto and select items that show off your curves, even in bold patterns and colors. Look for a fit that is both comfortable and flattering --- clothing that is too small or too large might just call attention to figure flaws, while a perfect fit exudes confidence.

• 5

  Silence your inner critic with positive affirmations of your worth. So much of our self-image is tied to negative perceptions we have of ourselves. Make a point to remind yourself of the positive --- even if you have to make a list and tape it to your bathroom mirror. When you feel good about yourself, it shows!

• 6

  Be an inspiration to someone else. Not much is as inspiring as having someone else look up to you, especially if you are a parent or spend time around young children. Prove through your own actions and attitudes that you are content with your curves, and that message will resonate. You may even boost someone else's body image, with results that could last a lifetime.