You may feel that loving your body is a bit of a stretch at the moment, and that's totally ok.
A good place to start is moving from "I don't like my body" to a place of body neutrality and acceptance.
A good place to start is moving from "I don't like my body" to a place of body neutrality and acceptance.
Positive body image isn't believing your body LOOKS good; it is knowing your body IS good, regardless of how it looks.
It isn't about thinking you're beautiful; it is knowing you are more than beautiful.
Body image is how you think and feel about your body. It involves your thoughts, perceptions, imagination, and emotions.
Positive or negative, your body image is influenced by an array internal and external factors.
Oddly, your body image does not necessarily reflect what you see in the mirror or what other people see. In fact, you may think and feel that your body is much larger or smaller than it actually is.
Part of the problem is that we live in an environment where we are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us how our bodies should look.
Whether these are images of airbrushed models or influencers on social media, they send the same message.
"Do what I am doing, eat how I am eating, and you can have MY body".
But this is not true.
Even if we all ate exactly the same thing, and did exactly the same exercise our bodies would still be very different.
Your body will always be YOUR body.
Whether you love it or hate it, it's time to stop feeling like you're at war with it and call a truce.
Learning how to respect your body will help you begin to make peace with it.
But how do I do that? Well, making peace with your body is ALL about trust – and listening.
It's easy to think that losing weight will solve all your body image and self-esteem issues. But this not the case.
Research shows that many women continue to have significant self-esteem issues, even after the weight is lost.
Living in a culture obsessed with thin perfect bodies, surely doesn't help.
From a very young age, we internalized messages that tell us THIS is how my body should look in order to be healthy and happy.
Naturally, we compare ourselves to these images, but then wonder why we feel inadequate, flawed, unworthy, and ashamed of our bodies.
Let's begin with a brief assessment to see where you are now in terms of body acceptance.
Positive or negative, your body image is influenced by an array internal and external factors.
Oddly, your body image does not necessarily reflect what you see in the mirror or what other people see. In fact, you may think and feel that your body is much larger or smaller than it actually is.
Part of the problem is that we live in an environment where we are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us how our bodies should look.
Whether these are images of airbrushed models or influencers on social media, they send the same message.
"Do what I am doing, eat how I am eating, and you can have MY body".
But this is not true.
Even if we all ate exactly the same thing, and did exactly the same exercise our bodies would still be very different.
Your body will always be YOUR body.
Whether you love it or hate it, it's time to stop feeling like you're at war with it and call a truce.
Learning how to respect your body will help you begin to make peace with it.
But how do I do that? Well, making peace with your body is ALL about trust – and listening.
It's easy to think that losing weight will solve all your body image and self-esteem issues. But this not the case.
Research shows that many women continue to have significant self-esteem issues, even after the weight is lost.
Living in a culture obsessed with thin perfect bodies, surely doesn't help.
From a very young age, we internalized messages that tell us THIS is how my body should look in order to be healthy and happy.
Naturally, we compare ourselves to these images, but then wonder why we feel inadequate, flawed, unworthy, and ashamed of our bodies.
Let's begin with a brief assessment to see where you are now in terms of body acceptance.
It's easy to think that losing weight will solve all your body image and self-esteem issues. But this not the case.
Why is body image important?
Positive body image is associated with
Whereas, poor body image is damaging to our physical health, as well as our social and emotional well-being.
Women with negative body image are more likely to
How can I improve my body image?
This is a challenging question because poor body image is often deeply rooted in our psyche. It's formed through a lifetime of experiences; many of our most influential experiences occur when we are still very young and vulnerable.
Early childhood experiences relating to our parent's eating, weight concerns, conversations and behaviours have a profound impact on how we feel about our body and our relationship with food.
Detrimental experiences are absorbed like a sponge.
The neuropathways responsible for how we feel about our body run deep, like the path of a river that carves its flow into the rocks. Reversing the flow of such a powerful force can feel nearly impossible.
But I have good news! You have the power to change this.
This is because your body image has very little to do with your actual body and more to do with your thoughts about your body.
A good place to start is to begin noticing your own internal dialogue.
One of the most disrespectful behaviours we an engage in is negative body talk or body bashing.
Its painful and sad to hear someone tearing down her or his looks, physique, weight size or height.
People who would never say anything nasty to someone else - will say horrific things to themselves.
Over the years I have heard stories from clients who were degraded, criticized and judged by their partners, siblings or parents. This is emotional abuse and needs to be addressed with a trauma therapist.
The first thing we are going to do together is a really simple practice. This will help you to recognize, acknowledge, and put a stop to your self-abusive body- bashing comments.
Negative comments, thoughts and behaviours are known as "body bashing" and they erode self- confidence and mental health.
Body bashing is self-sabotaging and reenforces behaviours that will keep you feeling stuck, unworthy and never enough.
It affects your ability to listen to and trust your body, and in extreme cases your willingness to meet your basic needs for self care (e.g. harmful thoughts like "I don't deserve to eat" or using exercise as a form of penance or punishment for having the wrong body).
Body bashing can take many forms. It may be overt or something that feels so natural, you've never questioned
Here are just a few examples ...
If you can related to any of these body bashing scenarios, then it may be of benefit to explore where this body bashing behaviour originates from.
The first step in creating change to is begin to notice negative body thoughts, talk and behaviours.
Begin to notice these thoughts without judgement.
Take a moment to reflect on situations in the past when you may have criticized your body or torn yourself down in front of someone else.
As women we sometimes commiserate or bond with body bashing. We may do this to make others feel better.
An example of this might be overhearing the conversation between 2 women next to each other trying on clothes in a dressing room.
"This top doesn't fit, it's too tight. I feel like a cow"
The other woman replies "well, if you're a cow, then that makes me a whale". They both laugh.
This type of back and forth banter between friends, is perfectly normal. A way we might bond over body bashing, or put ourselves down to make someone else feel better. But this behaviour damages our self-image.
One of the way you can begin to build body appreciation is to to shift your focus away from what your body looks like, to focus on what your body can do.
Think about all the amazing things your body has done for you over the years. All the hills you've climbed, heavy loads you've carried, illnesses or trauma you've recovered from, people you've loved, hugged, comforted, helped and cared for. No matter how small, these are all amazing things your body has helped you do.
Begin to acknowledge and express gratitude daily for all your body does for you, will help you shift your focus away from your appearance.
"Positive body image isn't believing your body LOOKS good; it is knowing your body IS good, regardless of how it looks.
Your body is your forever home, but you are more than just a body.
Are you kind, compassionate, intelligent, silly, generous, a great listener, creative?
These are all qualities that make you beautiful.
Being beautiful means being yourself, and this is not defined by your physical appearance.
Instead of asking "how can I change my body?", begin to ask "what is my body telling me" "how can I take care of my body?". All bodies, regardless of size, shape, or ability deserve to be treated with kindness, care and respect.
Positive body image is associated with
- improved self-esteem and feeling better
- body acceptance & body trust
- self-compassion
- better self care practices
- healthy lifestyle behaviours, including a balanced approach to food and physical activity.
Whereas, poor body image is damaging to our physical health, as well as our social and emotional well-being.
Women with negative body image are more likely to
- diet
- develop disordered eating behaviour
- over-exercise
- develop a life threatening eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder)
- develop other mental health issues such as low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
How can I improve my body image?
This is a challenging question because poor body image is often deeply rooted in our psyche. It's formed through a lifetime of experiences; many of our most influential experiences occur when we are still very young and vulnerable.
Early childhood experiences relating to our parent's eating, weight concerns, conversations and behaviours have a profound impact on how we feel about our body and our relationship with food.
Detrimental experiences are absorbed like a sponge.
The neuropathways responsible for how we feel about our body run deep, like the path of a river that carves its flow into the rocks. Reversing the flow of such a powerful force can feel nearly impossible.
But I have good news! You have the power to change this.
This is because your body image has very little to do with your actual body and more to do with your thoughts about your body.
A good place to start is to begin noticing your own internal dialogue.
One of the most disrespectful behaviours we an engage in is negative body talk or body bashing.
Its painful and sad to hear someone tearing down her or his looks, physique, weight size or height.
People who would never say anything nasty to someone else - will say horrific things to themselves.
Over the years I have heard stories from clients who were degraded, criticized and judged by their partners, siblings or parents. This is emotional abuse and needs to be addressed with a trauma therapist.
The first thing we are going to do together is a really simple practice. This will help you to recognize, acknowledge, and put a stop to your self-abusive body- bashing comments.
Negative comments, thoughts and behaviours are known as "body bashing" and they erode self- confidence and mental health.
Body bashing is self-sabotaging and reenforces behaviours that will keep you feeling stuck, unworthy and never enough.
It affects your ability to listen to and trust your body, and in extreme cases your willingness to meet your basic needs for self care (e.g. harmful thoughts like "I don't deserve to eat" or using exercise as a form of penance or punishment for having the wrong body).
Body bashing can take many forms. It may be overt or something that feels so natural, you've never questioned
Here are just a few examples ...
- pinching, squeezing or pulling at parts of your body you dislike.
- obsessively weighing yourself.
- negative thoughts or derogatory comments about your body
- mocking or poking fun at your body shape, eating or size in front of others
- relentlessly comparing of your appearance with others.
If you can related to any of these body bashing scenarios, then it may be of benefit to explore where this body bashing behaviour originates from.
The first step in creating change to is begin to notice negative body thoughts, talk and behaviours.
- When do these thoughts tend to come up for you?
- What types of things trigger or amplify body bashing thoughts for you?
- Are there certain places, people or things that make you feel worse or more vulnerable?
- Where do you think these thoughts originate from?
- Is there another voice connected to your past that was critical, judgemental or harsh?
Begin to notice these thoughts without judgement.
Take a moment to reflect on situations in the past when you may have criticized your body or torn yourself down in front of someone else.
As women we sometimes commiserate or bond with body bashing. We may do this to make others feel better.
An example of this might be overhearing the conversation between 2 women next to each other trying on clothes in a dressing room.
"This top doesn't fit, it's too tight. I feel like a cow"
The other woman replies "well, if you're a cow, then that makes me a whale". They both laugh.
This type of back and forth banter between friends, is perfectly normal. A way we might bond over body bashing, or put ourselves down to make someone else feel better. But this behaviour damages our self-image.
One of the way you can begin to build body appreciation is to to shift your focus away from what your body looks like, to focus on what your body can do.
Think about all the amazing things your body has done for you over the years. All the hills you've climbed, heavy loads you've carried, illnesses or trauma you've recovered from, people you've loved, hugged, comforted, helped and cared for. No matter how small, these are all amazing things your body has helped you do.
Begin to acknowledge and express gratitude daily for all your body does for you, will help you shift your focus away from your appearance.
"Positive body image isn't believing your body LOOKS good; it is knowing your body IS good, regardless of how it looks.
Your body is your forever home, but you are more than just a body.
Are you kind, compassionate, intelligent, silly, generous, a great listener, creative?
These are all qualities that make you beautiful.
Being beautiful means being yourself, and this is not defined by your physical appearance.
Instead of asking "how can I change my body?", begin to ask "what is my body telling me" "how can I take care of my body?". All bodies, regardless of size, shape, or ability deserve to be treated with kindness, care and respect.
Nutrition Counseling and weight management programs. The information on this site is intended to inform, not prescribe.
For diagnosis and treatment medical and health related concerns, please seek the advice of a qualified physician.
For diagnosis and treatment medical and health related concerns, please seek the advice of a qualified physician.
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