Let’s face it: 40-something women have a hard time believing that our bodies are still beautiful. We don’t want to be photographed because we are so lacking in confidence about our figures that we stay away from the camera, missing out on moments of joy.
Even when we look back at photos when we were in our 20s, size 8 and slim as a stick, we think “why was I not happy with my body, I’d kill to look like that now” – but at the time we were still hugely self-critical and judgemental.
We worry about every speck of cellulite and spare tire. Our moods plummet at the thought of people seeing us without clothes on, even in our own bedroom.
After all, we’re constantly bombarded with images of models who are 14, 15, 16 years old! Selling make-up and clothes to us and we wonder why we feel so inadequate, faced with the perfect skin and flawless physique of a bloody teenager!
And when we hit our 40s and beyond, we feel like something must be wrong with us — because how could we possibly be beautiful? But guess what? You are! And this article will help you believe that fact by showing you how to achieve body acceptance as a woman past your 40s. So read on as I show you my best tips on how to love yourself in your own skin.
Accepting your body is the first step to having a healthy relationship with it.
The truth about aging is that it’s inevitable and it happens to everyone. We all have a natural process of growing older, but it’s how we respond to the changes in our bodies that matter. It’s not just about accepting your age; it’s about accepting yourself as a whole person.
You may not be able to change the way you look, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change how you feel about it. And while it’s important not to judge yourself too harshly or let others do so on your behalf, self-acceptance is a process–not an overnight transformation.
Acceptance is a choice: It’s not a resignation, but rather an active decision made by each person who wants better health and happiness for themselves in their own bodies.
You may find that acceptance takes time or even requires some outside help from counselors or coaches who specialize in working with women over 40s who’ve struggled with body image issues throughout their lives (if this sounds like something that might interest you). However long it takes for true acceptance,-it will make all the difference between living a life full of joyous experiences versus one filled with sadness due to “flaws” that aren’t really flawed at all!
Once you learn to accept yourself as is, you’ll feel more comfortable in your own skin and build confidence from there.
Self-acceptance is a process. It’s not something you can achieve overnight, but it is something that can be learned and practiced over time.
Self-acceptance is not the same as self-love or self-loathing. Self-loathing means hating your body and the way it looks, whereas self-acceptance means accepting your body for what it is without judgment or criticism–which sounds easier than it actually is!
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up on making improvements–it simply means that when you do make changes, they come from a place of self-love rather than self-loathing or comparison with others. You can work on accepting your body because it’s part of who you are, not because of its appearance; once this mindset has sunk in (and it may take some time), focusing on improving specific parts of your health will become easier because they’re done out of love rather than obligation or guilt over past patterns
Focus on what makes you unique and beautiful as an individual.
Now that you’ve identified what makes you unique and beautiful as an individual, think about how those things can be reflected in your appearance. Maybe it’s the way your eyes sparkle when they catch the light, or maybe it’s a particular hairstyle that perfectly suits your face shape. Whatever it is, embrace these qualities!
There are many ways to celebrate our bodies–through fashion choices such as wearing clothes that fit well and make us feel confident; by doing physical activity we enjoy (like dancing); by making healthy food choices; etc… The important thing is not to let any one of these things take precedence over another: rather than thinking “I need to lose weight” or “I need new clothes”, try instead focusing on doing whatever brings joy into your life right now at this moment in time – whatever makes YOU happy!
Set attainable goals for yourself and consider them a win when met
It’s important to set goals that are realistic and attainable. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon in three months, but you haven’t been active since high school and have never run more than two miles at a time, it may be best to start small and build up gradually.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet your goals every day or even every week–every little bit counts! Instead of beating yourself up over whether or not you were successful at meeting your daily target (and believe me: I know how easy it can be), give yourself credit for any progress made toward reaching that goal. If all else fails, pat yourself on the back for getting out of bed in the morning for a walk or eating one less slice of pizza at lunchtime — both good ways to start making healthy changes!
Don’t compare yourself to others or try to be someone else’s idea of perfect.
Comparing yourself to other people isn’t healthy. It causes anxiety and makes it hard for us to feel good about ourselves because we’re always looking at what others have instead of appreciating what we already have. Don’t compare yourself to other people — whether it’s their physical appearance or their ability in a certain area — and instead focus on loving yourself for who you are today! Learn how to take care of yourself.
Remember that everyone’s journey toward self-acceptance is different and has its own timetable. It may take a few years or it could take a lifetime, but what matters most is that you are moving forward. Acceptance isn’t about perfection or giving up on yourself–it’s about making choices in your life based on what feels best for you at the time.
As we get older, our bodies change — sometimes in ways we expect; sometimes not at all like we thought they would. That doesn’t mean we should stop striving for health because we don’t fit into society’s definition of what “healthy” looks like anymore.
Be kinder to yourself as you move through your 40s and beyond by accepting every part of who you are right now — even if there are things that aren’t quite perfect yet. Again, you may not be able to change the way you look, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change how you feel about it.
It’s important not to punish yourself for being who you are and aging naturally — this will just lead to frustration and unhappiness in your life overall and as you age.
Are you anxious about your health and fitness as you age? Be guided by the UK’s top Women’s Health and Fitness Coach, Rita Trotter. Book a call here: https://thehealthandfitnesscoach.com/masterclass
