Losing Weight May Not Improve Your Self Image

Manuel Villacorta, MS, RDN
October 20, 2011

I’ve had clients come to me wanting to lose weight, to look better, and to feel better. Well, they lose the weight, get to their goal weight, and they definitely feel better. People talk about less pressure on the knees, less back pain, having the ability to run faster, increase in energy, and much more. So the feel good part definitely comes into play. But sometimes the people don’t perceive themselves as looking better and they still feel ugly or have a distorted image of themselves. So what can people do to change their mental self-perception regardless of weight loss?

Losing weight may not improve your self-image. Eating Free previously did an excellent Blog Talk Radio Show on the topic. Here are some tips that our professional image consultant, Michele Benza, provided to the listeners to increase your self-image whether you lose weight or not:

No matter what stage you are with your weight loss, change your mental attitude. Whether you lost 30 pounds or just 5 pounds, you are still fabulous, sexy, and smart. Believe in yourself and tell yourself positive thoughts.
Always leave the house looking your best. Wear clothes that fit and make you feel sassy and stylish. Make sure to double check that mirror before walking out the door because the way you present yourself to the world is the way people will perceive you and treat you.
Stand tall. Posture is everything. Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, a confident-looking person looks like they have it all.
Wear clothes that fit your body frame. Everyone has a different body shape. Different clothes will enhance your good sides and hide your flaws. Invest in those types of clothes. To figure out what fits your frame best, visit your local personal image consultant. If you live in the Bay Area, we recommend Michele Benza.