"Don't go changing, to try to please me".
That was the song written by Billy Joel about a girlfriend, I'm sure.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all felt that way about our bodies? It's hard for most of us to have a healthy body image.
We're constantly being bombarded with images of what we're "supposed" to look like rather than encouraging us to be happy with ourselves the way we are.
Creating a healthy view of ourselves is hard work but it's possible if we practice.
Here are my top three tips to create a healthier body image.
1: Create your identity based on inner strength and not outward appearance.
Most people put a lot of emphasis on looks instead of what is inside.
Taking time to focus on all of our amazing inner qualities helps to build a healthier view of our bodies because we aren't constantly focusing on the "outside".
When we start to tune in to our inner image we begin to see ourselves for who we really are, and that becomes what is important.
2: Take a media break.
I know, I know, how can we do this right? Take a break from our phones, laptops, and magazines? No way! Being constantly bombarded with pictures of celebrities and models creates an unhealthy ideal that most of us cannot attain.
Taking a break, even once in a while, helps us to focus on being healthy rather than looking a certain way.
3: Have an affirmative conversation with yourself.
Most people don't even realize the amount of negative things they say to themselves throughout the day.
"Why can't I be thin like so and so, why can't I have hair like that, why can't I lose weight" are all things most of us have said to ourselves.
The problem with negative self talk is that it brings our self-image down instead of lifting it up.
If we take time to say one nice thing about ourselves everyday, we'd notice that we would start to feel better about ourselves.
When you hear that negative conversation starting in your head, try stopping and finding something really nice to say about yourself, even if it's just, your hair looks nice today.
See if something positive doesn't shift inside.
Creating a healthy body image takes time; it doesn't happen overnight.
But, considering the direction we are headed, I think it's important that we start trying to change it as much as we can.
The beauty of all of us is that we are different, amazing, beautiful and handsome all on our own! We don't need to look like or be like anyone but ourselves.
The more we try to just be who we are, the happier we will be.