Body Image

 

• How you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind.
• What you believe about your own appearance (including your memories, assumptions, or generalizations).
• How you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight.
• How you sense and control your body as you move.  How you feel in your body, not just about your body.

 

Negative Body Image:

1)     A distorted perception of your shape (you perceive parts of your body unlike they really are).

2)     You are convinced that only other people are attractive and that your body size or shape is a sign of personal failure.

3)     You feel ashamed, self conscious, and anxious about your body.

4)     4)     You feel uncomfortable and awkward in your body or when you look at your body.

 

 Positive Body Image:

1)     A clear, true perception of your shape (you see the various parts of your body as they really are).

2)     You celebrate and appreciate your natural body shape and you understand that a person’s physical appearance says very little about their character and value as a person.

3)     You feel proud and accepting of your unique body and refuse to spend an unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight, and calories.

4)     You feel comfortable and confident in your body.

 

• People with negative body image have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and obsessions with weight loss.
• We all may have our days when we feel awkward or uncomfortable in our bodies, but the key to developing a positive body image is to recognize and respect our natural shape and learn to overpower those negative thoughts and feelings with positive, supportive, and accepting ones.
• Accept yourself – Accept your body!

 

10 “Will-Powers” for Improving Body Image

 

1)     Twice a day, everyday, I will ask myself: “Am I benefiting from focusing on what I believe are the flaws in my body weight or shape?”

 

2)     I will think of three reasons why it is ridiculous for me to believe that thinner people are happier or “better.”  I will repeat these reasons to myself whenever I feel the urge to compare my body shape to someone else’s.

 

3)     I will spend less and less time in front of the mirror (especially when they are making me feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about my body).

 

4)     I will participate in activities that I enjoy, even if they call attention to my weight and shape.  I will constantly remind myself that I deserve to do things that I enjoy, like dancing, swimming, etc., no matter what my shape or size.

 

5)     I will list 5-10 good qualities that I have, such as compassion, gentleness, kindness, etc.  I will repeat these to myself whenever I start to feel bad about myself.

 

6)     I will practice taking people seriously for what they say, feel, and do, not for how slender, or “well put together” they appear.

 

7)     I will surround myself with people and things that make me feel good about myself and my abilities.  When I am around people and things that support me and make me feel good, I will be less likely to base my self-esteem on the way my body looks.

 

8)     I will treat my body with respect and kindness.  I will feed it, keep it active, and listen to its need.  I will remember that my body is the vehicle that will carry me to my dreams.

 

I will choose to take care of myself and my body!

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References:

Edap Eating Disorders & Prevention

Michael Levine, Ph.D., and Linda Smolak, Ph.D.

Freedman, R. Body Love.  NY: Harper & Row, 1998.

Levine, M.P. & Hill, L. 5 Day Lesson Plan on Eating Disorders.  Columbus, OH: NEDO, 1991.

Maine, M. Father Hunger.  Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books, 1991.

Rodin, J. Body Traps.  NY: William Morrow, 1992.