Are you in the 5% .... I'm not! Being Body Image Positive

One study says only 5% of women naturally possess the body type portrayed by the American media, but 91% of women diet and exercise to look like that 5%. Another study says that only 2% of women feel comfortable as we begin swimsuit season. It's a never-ending struggle to create that perfect physique, without diminishing our body image and self-esteem.

We see ourselves through such a narrow lens of perfection, looking at every wrinkle and every dimple (not the cute ones) under a microscope. It can wreck us and lead us into all kinds of issues -- social isolation, depression, relationship problems, eating disorders, and unhealthy weight control efforts.

Maybe you were told negative things about how you look. Maybe you felt slighted because of your appearance. Maybe you just feel you can't live up to society's standards. All of that baggage can weigh you down and make you feel self-conscious.

Add going through an emotionally-draining, self-esteem-stealing, life-changing event such as divorce, and often those feelings of self-worth are only magnified.

So what do we do? How do we regain control? How do we begin to love our own bodies?

What if we could break the cycle of our self-esteem tanking because we aren't some arbitrary "perfect" size or body type.

What if we could believe that we are enough just as we are.