In therapy, more often than not, while discussing self-esteem and self-worth with my clients, talk turn to body image. I have rarely, if ever met anyone – male or female who wouldn’t want to change something about their bodies. Some think they have too big a nose, others are cringing over their cellulite, some want to be leaner while others want to be more buffed, so on and so forth. While it’s completely normal to not be a hundred percent satisfied with the way you look, it’s a different ball game if you’re flat out repulsed by what you see in the mirror.
Body image has much more to do with the societal standards of beauty, and cultural and familiar perception of our physical appearance and worth than your actual physical appearance. Even if you look in the mirror and like what you see, a casual comment by your well-meaning mother about your flabby arms or one from your distant relative about watching your intake of those delicious potato chips can adversely affect your perception of your own body.