It all comes down to you!

Body image is a perception a person has of their physical self. This perception can be positive, negative or a combination of both and most of the times influenced by another individual. What you think about yourself basically controls all your emotions and in my column today I have tried to break this link between your thinking and your looks. To begin with let's address the four aspects of body image:

How do you see yourself (fit or fat?)
What do you feel about the way you look (unhappy or satisfied?)
What are the thoughts and beliefs you have about your body (you are confident and can change your image or you are too squashed up creating a low self esteem for yourself?)
What length do you go to in relation to the way you look (diet & exercise or starve & overexercise or eat and throw-up or not eat at all?)

If any of the above apply to you, its time you take control back in your hands from your mind. The only way to make a positive change in life towards your self is by making a lifetime commitment to your body. Not a short term weight loss goal but a long transformation from within. Here are few tips that will help you form a foundation for a healthy living:
Enhance your relationship with food. Look at the nutritious qualities that food gives the body, rather than looking at the calories, fat or negatives. Taste your food, cook a new recipe, enjoy new foods on the market and explore the vast world of food and health.
Fill your fridge and pantry with nutritious food that you enjoy eating. Having an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, seeds as well as variety of good fats & oils will mean you eat more of these healthy core foods that nourish our body.
Drink at least two liters of hydrating fluids per day. Choose water or home-made flavoured mixes or herbal teas. Sip fluids slowly over the day to maximize their hydrating benefits.
Exercise for good health, vitality, fitness and feeling great rather than weight loss, calorie burn or targeting 'that' area that you are not fond of. Find exercise that you enjoy, whether that's going for a run, hiking through nature or losing yourself to the music in a dance class.
Set yourself positive, health focused goals rather than weight or body shape related ones. Aim to complete a fun run, eat a new vegetable each week, hike a mountain or enjoy 30 mins of yoga per day.

Create realistic goals such that you feel good. Don't deprive yourself. Moderation applies to everything in life, including food and exercise. So enjoy it in ways it makes you happy.
Living a healthy life is a long road and you are all alone. You may find others walking with you at some point but no one can ever walk it for you!
My journey toa healthy life is never-ending but with this take away message my journey with DNA ends here. It has been a great year sharing and discussing different topics of health and nutrition with all my readers. Thank you DNA for giving me the platform and liberty to pen down my thoughts.

For everyone out there always remember to Stay Healthy!