Challenging unhelpful "Shoulds" and "Shouldn'ts" for better BASE
What's up BASE Besties! It's time to talk about something we all deal with: the "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts" we tell ourselves. These are those internal rules and expectations that we set, often based on unrealistic standards of beauty ideals we see in the media. For instance, you might think, "I should go to Pilates five times a week to look like that," or "I shouldn't eat carbs, literally…ever!" Let's examine these beliefs and understand how to challenge them to develop a more positive and balanced view of ourselves.
Belief 1: "I should work out every single day."
Feeling pressured to work out daily is easy, especially with many fitness influencers promoting unrealistic and often incredibly intense routines. But here's the thing: working out every single day isn't always necessary for your health. Your body and mind need time to rest and recover, especially if you feel sick, injured, or "just not feeling it". Instead of sticking rigidly to a daily workout schedule, try listening to your body. Rest is just as important as exercise in maintaining overall health and well-being.
Challenge Belief 1: "Working out daily may not be necessary for my health - especially when I feel sick or injured. I will listen to my body and mind when I need rest."
Remember, exercise should be something you enjoy and feel good about, not a daily chore that feels like a punishment. Find a balance that works for you, including time for rest and recovery. Your mental and physical health will thank you for it.
Belief 2: "I shouldn't eat any carbs."
Carbs often get a bad rap in diet culture. We’re told to cut down or not eat them after a specific time of day. But these narrow-minded views of carbs (or other nutrients), can he harmful. The truth is, they are an essential part of a balanced diet & important to include to maintain a healthy relationship with food - as promoted by BASE's Dietitian Amelia. They give your body and brain the energy to function, especially if you're active - Amelia speaks in depth on this with her clients and during school presentations.
Challenged Belief 2: "I allow myself to eat any food I need, including the foods that I enjoy."
You don't have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. Instead, challenge the diet culture in the world or in your mind and view food as a way to nourish your body and fuel you connection to live. Different foods have different roles when it comes to our overall wellbeing. Some foods help our organs function better, some foods give use power and strength when exercising and some foods give us a reason or an activity to do when hanging out with our friends.
Embracing a Positive Body Image
So, how do we move away from these limiting unhelpful"shoulds" and "shouldn'ts" towards a more positive body image? The first step is bringing awareness to them! Start by challenging unrealistic standards and being kinder to yourself.
Recognise that everyone's body is different and that health and happiness come in many shapes and sizes. Focus on what makes you feel good physically and mentally rather than adhering to external pressures that is often promoted online by marketing campaings.
You can create a healthier relationship with exercise and food by embracing flexibility and self-compassion (don’t forget the three pillars of self-compassion in Journal Post one). Remember, it's all about finding what works best for you as an individual and balance looks and feels differently for everyone.
BASE Besties & Founders
Lily & Amelia