Body Love Summit

beautiful childrenAs a society, we place a lot of emphasis on our appearance. When we see someone who is too skinny or two heavy, we often have an immediate thought about that person as a person. We are taught from an early time that we should strive to look a certain way. We are told by kids in school, at very young ages, that we have imperfections and they stick in our mind. Then we transfer those negative thoughts toward others and start to search for their imperfections. It is sad, and many people do it without even thinking. Instead of focusing on the negative, isn’t it time that we focus on the beauty? We can start loving our body. There is no better time to do it than today.

Our Ideal Body Image

beautyWe all want the six pack abs, toned bodies, and larger bust sizes, but may not have the body type to achieve it. We may end up with a few dimples on our bottoms and a jiggle in our belly. We are told how to dress if we want to hide our jiggles and thicker areas. There are nutritionists who say that we are overweight or obese if we are slightly heavier than their “ideal” weight. In some areas, we may feel that we have to lose weight before putting on a bikini and hanging out at the beach with our kids. It is even more stressful if you want to take your kids to a water park where everyone is going to see you. Isn’t it time to change the “normal ideas”? The truth is; no matter what type of body you have; you deserve to live your life as you see fit. You should be able to get into the clothes that you like based on your personal style, not what others think you should wear.

Breaking Traditional Ideas

beautiful Body ModelEvery time you turn on a television or radio, you will hear advertisements about how to make yourself look better. These things tell women and girls that to be someone they must look a certain way. They may be admired, desired, or shunned based, not on their personality and character, but by their waist line, whether they pile on makeup, and how they dress. It has lead to a lot of young women striving so hard to reach “ideal” looks, that they cause themselves to have major health issues. It is unrealistic goals that we set for our little girls and there are organizations that are working to change it.

Love Your Body

love Your bodyNo matter what body type category you fit into by some standards, you are a perfect ten. There is no imperfection as long as you are happy with yourself and you are healthy. If you have a body image issue that you are uncomfortable with, work to change it. If you are happy in your own skin, why let others tell you that you are not beautiful? Your weight is only a number as long as you are living the life that you want to live. Are you ready to embrace your body and learn to love it with all of its perfect imperfections?

 

Quiet & Cool; The Secret to Self-Motivation

self consciousSelf-motivation is not always easy to achieve, especially when you lack confidence and prefer to not be seen at the gym working out when you are not in the best of shape. Others are very self-confident and feel that they do not need to go to the gym. In both cases, they are often the ones who would benefit most from the overall gym experience. They are the ones who would achieve more if they had someone encouraging them to work harder at reaching their goals. The other solution is to have a place that is quiet and cool. It can also be the secret to self-motivation for those who may struggle to get up and exercising.

Exercising at the Gym

working out at the gym

Gyms are designed to be places where people can go if they want to improve their overall health. However, for overweight people, it can seem like the scariest place on earth since they know they are out of shape. It can be daunting for someone who is 200 pounds to be surrounded by people who are buff and in good shape. It can make them feel self-conscious. It can make them want to hide in the bathroom rather than get out there and show their imperfections. What they may not realize is that even those who are in perfect shape now had to start at one point. They may not have been overweight, but they may have had other health issues that made it important to get into better shape. No one simply goes to the gym and starts a routine without feeling some of the burn in their muscles.

 

Gaining Motivation

home workoutsWith the risk of feeling self-conscious at the gym, many overweight or out of shape people tend to try and exercise at home. This can be a great way to get into shape well enough that you can go to the gym and feel more comfortable in your own skin while you are there. Start with home aerobics or purchase a cheep weight set to get started. From there, another motivation will be ensuring that you have a place that is comfortable for you to workout in. For this, you may want exercise mats, your baggiest clothes, and a cold air conditioner to ensure that no matter what you are doing, you are comfortable while doing it. It will make the routines more tolerable so that you are more likely to stick with it.

Get on Your Feet

Most people who need to start working out the most are the ones who avoid it because they feel as though others will laugh or point fingers at them. If you are not happy in your own skin or you realize that you could be a “better you” than you are today; you have to decide to make the change. You have to decide that you want to change. Whether you start out at the gym or start with something easier at home; the key is to get on your feet and feel comfortable while you are doing it. Self-motivation starts and ends with your desire to become healthier. Having a comfortable place to do it in, will help you stay motivated well enough that you can work up to more. Then, when you do attend a gym; you will realize that everyone there is simply happy that you have chosen to love your body enough to get out there.

Happy Baby Happy Life

happy babyBeing a parent is always stressful; especially when your bundle is a newborn or a toddler. We all tend to love the smiles, wish for the laughter, and stress over the times when they are fussy. However, part of being a baby is fussing. As a baby, it is because it is their only communication option. As a toddler, it is often because they feel stressed about the way the world works. No matter what is causing your child to be fussy, it can have a negative impact on you as well. Therefore, we say, “Happy baby happy life” and encourage you to do all you can to make it happen.

Unhappy Baby

fussy babyBabies cry for many reasons. Sometimes it is because they do not feel well. Other times, it is because they want cuddles. It may be they want food, a new diaper, or a change in scenery. There are certain things you will know to check for immediately if your infant starts fussing, but true understanding may never be achieved.  This will not stop you from feeling that as a parent, you have to learn what your baby needs at that moment. In some ways, it is also factual. Otherwise, the crying may continue, which will eventually lead to massive amounts of stress on you.

Unhappy Parents

midnight snackingIt has been proven that as adults, we deal with stress in unexpected ways. Some of us may get angry easily and others simply grab the nearest bag of potato chips. As a general rule, parents tend to lean more toward the later. Often, it is food that becomes our comfort when the baby starts stressing. We may eat when they eat because it reminds us of food. We may enjoy unhealthy midnight snacks because we are up anyway. Then, the one thing most parents forget is, not only are they snacking a lot, but they are failing to exercise with their newly found parenthood. Before long, this becomes extra pounds that make you very unhealthy. Isn’t it time to change the routines?

Making a Change for Happiness

Babies are going to fuss. Toddlers are going to throw tantrums. It is a simple fact that parents have to deal with. Instead of letting it get the best of you, make a change. Rest when your child does is the most basic. A well-rested mom or dad is always going to handle stress better than someone who isn’t resting properly. Beyond that, your baby should have a great place to rest as well. A good mattress is key, especially one that is suited for Pack n Play cribs. They provide the firmness that infants and toddlers need and allow you to keep the baby by your side at all times, so that you can rest easier. Another idea is to trade off with your partner to give yourself some much-needed rest during the toughest days. You should also keep in mind that these days will soon pass and then you will miss those midnight cuddles with your little bundle.

A Recipe Your Body Will Love

eating healthier foodsWhether you are a man or a woman, there is a lot of emphasis put onto the way you look. If you are too skinny, people think you are anorexic or using illegal substances, but if you are too heavy, they say you live on fast food. The truth is, we all have a body type and it is time that we stop judging based on looks. We should do what makes us all feel good and make friends based on who they are inside; not the image that is on the outside. You can do this by simply loving your body and if you want to change it, find a recipe your body will love.

Perfect Isn’t Always Perfect

Model ImagesWhen you look through a magazine or see someone on television, you may think that they have the perfect body, the perfect hair, and the perfect life. However, this is not usually the case. Top models and movie stars all have something about their body that they would like to change. It may be their teeth feel imperfect to them, their smile too big, their bottom end too flat, and more. Makeup and computers can change most of these issues into what you see on television and in photos. The truth is though, if you saw them off the camera, you wouldn’t recognize them in most cases. Therefore, they simply strive to keep the body that they want, in the condition it is in, through working out and eating right.

A Plan that Is Perfect

Even though the whole idea of embracing your body as it is, is to simply live your life without worry over negativity, there are still things you can do to be a better you. For instance, there are a lot of delicious yet healthy recipes that everyone can enjoy. For instance, a smoked chicken quiche is healthy and satisfying. It tastes great but doesn’t have a lot of the excess calories that contribute to fat tissue forming. If you want a desert or a snack in the middle of the day, instead of reaching for a bag of chips, you may choose to grab a snack of low fat cheese, dark chocolate and peaches. You will get the sweetness of a snack, but fewer calories that your body will have to burn away.

Focus on Yourself

satisfying and healthy foodsWith all of the healthy eating, you should keep in mind that you are doing it for you. Not so that others can look at you in a different way. Therefore, if you end up eating healthier and never lose an ounce of weight, you will still feel good about yourself. If you eat healthily and lose 20 pounds, as you most likely will when you make good eating habits a choice, you can also feel good about yourself. You will also be healthier, happier, and more satisfied by the foods that you are eating. It is a win/win situation and you can do it by simply focusing on yourself and what your body needs to be.