The Relationship Between Perfectionist Thinking and Body Image

For a number of us, the most accessible thing we can exert our control over are our bodies. But how do we know if we have a healthy approach to the ways we see our bodies and our expectations for how we should look and feel?

It’s no surprise that the media has distorted our ideas of the perfect body, which in turn, causes us to look at our own bodies and contemplate on all the areas we can improve to have that ‘perfect’ shape. The contradiction here is that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ shape, which leads to many of us striving for the impossible. So where is the balance between the perfect body and loving what you look like and how you feel in your own body? How do we stay healthy without overworking ourselves to get to that ‘ideal’ body shape, and then getting trapped in the loop of sustaining that ‘perfect’ shape? 

If you want to stay healthy and fit, while feeling great with and in your body type, here’s some healthy-minded tips.

What is Your Approach and Perspective of Your Own Figure?

Firstly, having high standards and having unattainable standards are two very different things. And that ‘rule’ doesn’t just apply for body image, but for all areas in our public and private life. When we set ourselves up with unattainable body goals, we will always feel disappointment and failure. Not to mention all the anxiety that comes along with trying to keep up with our unachievable goal. 

High standards, or even better, realistic standards, allows one to work hard during a workout, but offers space for a more balanced mindset. Realistic standards for body goals involve some research and mindfulness. What is the recommended workout routine and hours recommended for your height and weight per week? What if you haven’t been sleeping well, or you're on your period, should you work as aggressively on your body, or should you find a healthy alternative? Do you listen to your body when it tells you yoga and meditation might be more suitable today than running 10 miles straight?

What is the purpose and function of your workout? Over-stressing our bodies to achieve that ‘perfect’ shape isn’t healthy for the body, nor the mind. 

Remove Yourself from Places and Apps that Contribute to Unrealistic Body Goals

One of the best ways to make you feel bad about the body you have, or where you are at in your workout process, is by looking at apps like Instagram where your feed is loaded with men or women who flaunt their ‘perfect’ bodies. Why do we keep going back to the places that make us feel bad about the way we look, rather than looking for places or apps that make us feel proud of our beautiful bodies? 

If there are apps, or people who you follow that give you that horrible feeling about who you are or what you haven’t achieved, then please, remove those apps or block those feeds immediately. Like right now. Delete. Block. It’s the easiest and best thing you can do for yourself instantaneously. 

We don’t want to use those images as fuel to be better than those men or women. What we want is to find a way to love and enjoy the body we are in right now, as we work at keeping ourselves healthy and fit to have energy to do the important activities our daily lives demand of us. 

What advice would you give to your friend, brother, sister or child?

If we tend to approach our bodies with perfectionist goals, then it may be hard to establish a healthy routine for both our schedules and what our bodies really need. It helps to imagine a friend, or someone you care about in, let’s say, in your shoes. What advice would you give them? Would you tell them: If you don’t work out everyday, and really get your heart rate up then you’re lazy, out-of-shape, or not working hard enough? How would you help them see the beauty in their shape and figure? And why not be as kind and considerate to yourself as you would be to your friend or family struggling with a healthy body image? 

It’s important to do what feels good and fulfilling for you. Try not to always look for the areas that need work, or that you don’t like and focus on the areas you love and that you’re proud of. We can all be a little bit kinder to ourselves and be a little more grateful for what we do have, instead of focusing on what we don’t have.

Ready to identify and understand perfectionism so that you can take back your life, successfully manage and put a cap on the language of not enough? Click here to grab your copy of my e-book: You’re Enough: Letting Go the Pressure to be Perfect.

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