Who has never dreamed of looking like the aesthetic canons in the hope of regaining self-confidence? However, exercising can quickly turn into the excessive and unattainable pursuit of the perfect bodybuilding. Social networks promoting the exposure of bodies without any imperfection.
Anxiety, depression, body image disorder… The consequences can become devastating when the cult of thinness takes precedence over well-being. In addition, practicing physical activity should not be associated with the desire to lose weight, but should help heal body and mind. Far from the pressure of weight rooms, new ways of doing sport are appearing with Yoga, Pilates or Stretching. Well-being, letting go, self-acceptance: these disciplines provide other sensations, allow introspection, facilitate self-knowledge and self-esteem. Here, the goal is to combine sport with well-being to strengthen self-esteem!
Focus on your feelings
Forget your image and your performance to put aside your complexes. When you participate in sports, focus on your bodily sensations. THE’indoor cycling can contribute and help achieve this goal. It is no longer just a matter of pedaling a bicycle: this discipline plunges you into total darkness to the rhythm of the music. For some, the absence of light gives way to complete disinhibition. They manage to forget the stern look they have on their own body or the pressure of that of the other.
If you practice Yoga or Pilates collectively, do not hesitate to close your eyes to let yourself be carried away by the rhythm and the energy of the group. If you can get out of control of hyper performance, your mind will respond to your body and muscles.
Don’t look for performance
Be careful, however, not to set goals that are too difficult to achieve! Be kind to yourselves and adapt your pace to your level to avoid injury. Do not hesitate to inquire beforehand about the level of the group you are joining. With indoor cycling, in the dark, for example, it is easy to let yourself be carried away by the sound of the voice of the sports coach and no longer be listening to your body or its limits. Don’t go on a frantic race if you’re not in a yellow jersey! If you feel your thoughts drifting away, try to refocus on yourself and bring your attention back to your sensations and movements.
Perceive your body in a positive way
Focus on your progress, no longer on your flaws, difficulties or failures. With sport, your body becomes firmer, stronger and this helps to soften your gaze on it. You become more open to comments from others, you manage stress better and your feeling of personal efficiency is strengthened. Concentrate more on what sport can bring you: good mood, increased energy, reduced stress …
But what if you hate sports or if you’re running out of time? Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, standing in the subway, or even going to the water dispenser can help improve your body image. Every little action counts!
Read also:
- Why is walking really good for your health?
- What if to be in a good mood, we start by behaving better?
- Impossible, really? Advice to overcome your beliefs and move forward