3 Steps to Stop the Body Comparison Game

Most all of us fall prey to the art of body comparison. For those who don’t know, this is when you compare your body to other people’s bodies, and it starts to make you feel bad about your own body. This in turn leads you to start another diet as your desire to be “thin” overcomes you. Yet, the restriction brought on by the diet causes you to feel deprived of your favorite foods which ultimately leads to overeating/binge eating. Then the cycle starts again.

I think it’s understandable to a certain extent that you compare your body to other women’s bodies. This is a side effect of the diet culture we live in. Especially now that we’re in the middle of the hot summer and you can’t go far without seeing an advertisement with a bikini-clad female or a commercial for a diet to get you in beach body shape, quickly! And now that the weather is nice, people are out in skimpy outfits only to add to the pressure you put on yourself.

Enough is enough. I know you don’t want to continue to put this pressure on yourself. It takes up your brain space and prevents you from enjoying each day to the fullest.

Here are 3 steps to stop the body comparisons!

1. Just stop!

Promise yourself that you will no longer compare your body to other women’s bodies. Think about the fact that you have no idea how she got the thin body she has. Perhaps she’s on a quick-fix diet and is miserable inside. Perhaps she’s suffering from a medical condition (or mental health condition) and weight loss is a side effect. It’s a dangerous game to wish for what other people have, the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I know of a situation where a woman was complimented for her weight loss and was asked how she did it. The answer? “Anorexia”. Enough said.

2. Praise and thank your body every day!

Your body is truly miraculous, performing countless amazing functions to keep you alive, mobile, and able to experience the world around you. It’s easy to take these everyday marvels for granted, but every heartbeat, breath, and step is a testament to the incredible resilience and complexity of your body.

So please, take a moment each day to appreciate and thank your body, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, for everything it does to support and sustain you.

3. Dress for the body you have now! 

I cannot stress this enough. If you are wearing clothes that are tight on you, you will be uncomfortable and feel upset, sad, and hopeless. That’s when body comparisons happen the most. Take yourself shopping and buy clothes that you love that fit you. Who cares what size the label says? Those aren’t accurate anyway, and mean zilch! When you dress in clothes that feel good, you feel awesome and powerful and can accomplish anything!

Without a doubt in my mind, body comparisons will hinder your intuitive eating journey! Let’s stop this now so you can keep moving forward.