By: Karolina Starczak

Oct 12, 2009

From the minute our alarm clock goes off, we struggle with everything from unmanageable hair to unwelcomed bloating that requires a few extra high kicks to get our pants on. Instead of letting Debbie Downer give our body image a beating, we can do a little something to feel better about ourselves—sneak in a workout. According to new study published in the September issue of the Journal of Health Psychology, physical activity might give our body image a much needed boost.

After reviewing 57 publications focusing on intervention studies, researchers found that exercise makes people feel better about themselves regardless of results. It’s easy to see how a little toning can result in body image benefits, but participants who exercised were actually found to have better body image even if no physical benefits were achieved. In fact aside from how frequently participants exercised, factors such as duration, intensity, length or type of exercise did not make a difference.

The reason may be that in order to reap the psychological benefits of exercise, workout sessions do not have to be long or vigorous. Fitting something as simple as a daily walk can be a great way to get in shape and improve body image. Even though more research is needed to determine the exact amount of exercise required to change body image, being consistent with exercise is key. For support, motivation, and walking tips check out the Walk Your Belly Flat Community Challenge.

Which workouts give your body image a boost?

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