Lipoedema and Body Image
The key theme for us here at Talk Lipoedema is ‘love our limbs’. It can be really hard when we suffer from lipoedema to love our limbs and have a positive body image. So what can we do to help have a positive body image?
It is important to take some time to appreciate what your body can do rather that what is can’t. Sometimes we focus on the things we can’t do or what we used to be able to do and now can’t. Take some time everyday to be kind to your body. Simple self care, something that you love to do for you is worth celebrating no matter how small!
Sometimes with lipoedema we naturally focus on the negative things we see in our selves . Make a list of the things that you like about yourself and read it regularly if you can add things to it even better. There are lots of things you can focus on that are not related to our bodies or how we look or our weight. Positive affirmations and gratitude journals can help with this. Practicing these daily can really help improve your mind-set.
Positive body image is closely linked to your mental health. It can be easy to get into a downwards thought spiral. For example if you put on that outfit that you always feel awesome in and suddenly look in the mirror and feel you look rubbish, this can impact your mind-set and how you see yourself. It is really hard to do but acknowledge the voice in your head when it says to you ‘you look awful’ but don’t let it overpower you. Thoughts and feelings can overpower us if we don’t acknowledge them and let them go.
Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself, find clothes that work for you and your body shape. Try and work with your body and not against it. Do not to worry about your clothes size label, wear what fits and makes you feel good!
It is important in the social media world we live in to surround yourself with people that you want to see on your social media feeds- if social media is something you enjoy. Life is too short to follow people that make you feel bad or see yourself negatively.