In the November Issue:

Confidence and inner strength help us weather any adversity that being in business can produce. Confidence allows us to promote ourselves in our marketing and networking, while trusting our business decisions.

People with a positive body image are confident in their appearance, regardless of what others think. A person's confidence may change another person's perception of them. A positive body image means you are comfortable with how you look, despite this not being an essential contribution. You understand that a new outfit, weight gain, or loss won't make you less deserving of success.

A positive body image starts with BELIEVING in yourself. 

We were not born flawed, but somewhere along the line, we began trying to present ourselves more attractively, suggesting that initially, we were lacking in an acceptable appearance. You must start taking control of those thoughts, and rebuild your inner strength and belief in yourself. No one else can hand you back a clean slate where you believe you're enough.

How Can a Poor Body Image Affect Your Success?

Being a busy entrepreneur and short on time, you can often struggle with health and exercise regimes and then feel dissatisfied with yourself. Stress and anxiety are common, and you might notice that the days when it is worse are when your opinion of yourself is at its lowest. As a woman, confidence suffers if we feel uncomfortable in our bodies, and have a negative body image, which can impact our professional abilities and decisions.

Look out for the following symptoms:

• Obsessed with body size, focused on food, calories, and weight, while always trying to lose this weight. 
• Looking in the mirror and criticizing themselves.
• The conversation about their body is negative
• Often comparing their body to others.
• Jealous of others, in particular when it comes to your body. 

Six Ways to Shift a Negative Body Image to a Positive Body Image.

Appreciate Your Body Functions

How much you appreciate your body depends on your perspective. Too often, people base their body image on what they can't do instead of what they CAN. Think of our incredible bodies, heart pumping, and brains being more potent than any supercomputer. Appreciate your body for all that it is, and all it does on autopilot, to sustain life. 

Respect Your Body to Feel Good

Healthy eating and exercise should make you feel good, improve your energy, and not punish your body for being in the wrong shape. Carry yourself confidently - head up, walk proudly.

List Positive Attributes About Yourself

Make a list of 10 things you like about yourself that don't matter how you look. Do not include anything about your body on that list. Look at yourself as a whole person - Do you smile often? Are you a fast reader, or are you a great problem solver?

Invite Positive People into Your Life

Positive people lift each other's spirits and find the good in situations. Find friends who are not obsessed with looks, and who accept you for WHO you are.

Self-Care is Important

A positive body image means you care enough to treat yourself well and enjoy life. You deserve to relax, be pampered with a facial or a massage, and enjoy a leisurely walk, regardless of appearance.

Be Comfortable in Your Clothes.

Choose comfortable clothes that reflect your style, and fit and flatter your body, regardless of your body type. Your body image will be more positive if you like and are comfortable with what you wear.

The Link Between Eating Patterns and Negative Body Images 

Negative or emotional eating patterns with a poor body image often go hand in hand.

When an imperfect body image forms within a child or teenager's brain, in the early years, they often link weight loss with an improved appearance, promoting their worth and ability to succeed. Food is thus linked to one's success or failure; creating a dysfunctional relationship with food is often triggered by stress. 

Entrepreneurs who feel stressed will often turn to food to soothe themselves, which plays havoc with their thoughts of worth and confidence, resulting in a cycle of a negative body image.

Last Thoughts

You CAN have a positive body image, regardless of size, shape, or body type. If you treat yourself well and consider yourself a whole person, your body image will be positive. 

Dealing with the uncomfortable realizations and feelings associated with a poor body image will lead to second-guessing, and your confidence will be affected. 

When you have confidence, you can control your situation and circumstances and achieve your desired success. 

MEET KARYN DEL MOL
FOUNDER OF GOODNESSMEALTERNATIVE

Karyn is a qualified CPA Accountant with an extensive corporate career and many therapeutic qualifications. As an Empowerment Coach, Karyn founded Goodnessmealternative, finding her passion for empowering women to overcome the beliefs that hold them back from finding balance in life and feeling peace in their hearts and mind.

Karyn is also the co-author of the multi-award-winning book 'Eating Secrets', which helps women to love and accept themselves. 

Connect with Karyn through Facebook group - Create your Best Self

If you believe your poor body image affects your confidence and professional success, take this free 90-second quiz to discover your triggers.

Connect with Karyn HERE!