Positive Thoughts

I have a friend who is in great physical shape. They run, swim, bike, hike, lift weights, and watch what they eat. They have what I'd personally refer to as a relatively well-rounded state of fitness as far as the physical body is concerned. As for mental fitness, though, I'd consider them to be in a Danger Zone of scary and possibly destructive negativity, and operating a self-image that borders on self-loathing. What worries me the most is how often I myself find myself in a Danger Zone of mental space, and how to stop the spiral of negativity before it starts.

I've read that it's normal for many women athletes to obsess about calories, what types of foods they eat, and how intense workouts are. The stresses of competition for elite athletes of either sex combined with what I feel is a relatively opressive amount of material in our culture that still glorifies an unattainable and often unhealthy body shape and size for women can be overwhelming at times. I am not immune to these forces, although sometimes it is easier to ignore them than others, especially considering I am not an elite athlete. Some days I don't feel like an athlete period. 

How do I dig myself out of a negative mindset? I ask myself this question every time I find myself obsessing over the circumference of my thigh, the squeeze-able inches of my belly, or the extreme guilt I feel after eating a cupcake. Each time, though, I manage to regain my self-confidence enough to also gain clarity, and realize that yes, I do have control, and I can make choices that will positively or negatively impact my mental state. The real work, however, comes in keeping this positivity at hand, and not falling victim to the alternative at all.