Goals for our in person program includes:
- Increased self-awareness
- Increased self-love
- How to be self-accepting
- How to feel healthy inside and out
Body Image includes:
- How we perceive our bodies visually
- How we feel, think and talk about our physical appearance
- Our sense of how other people view our bodies
- Our sense of our bodies in physical space
- Our level of connectedness to our bodies
Poor body image increases the risk for extreme weight/body control behaviors including extreme dieting, steroid use, and compulsive exercising.
What are some Factors that Affect our Body Image?
- Comments from family, friends and others about our, their, and other people’s bodies
- Ideals that we develop about physical appearance
- The frequency with which we compare ourselves to others
- Exposure to media and other images of idealized bodies
- Physical activity
- Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse
- Prejudice and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity
10 Steps to a Positive Body Image
- Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day your body carries you closer to your dreams. Celebrate all the amazing things your body does for you - running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.
- Keep a top 10 list of things you like about yourself - things that aren't related to how much you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often. Add to it as you become aware of more things to like about you.
- Remind yourself that "true beauty" is not simply skin-deep. When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you beautiful regardless of whether you physically look like a supermodel. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body.
- Look at yourself as a whole person. When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, choose not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself as you want others to see you - as a whole person.
- Surround yourself with positive people. It is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you naturally are.
- Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not "right" or that you are a "bad" person. You can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones. The next time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations that work for you.
- Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body. Work with your body, not against it.
- Become a critical viewer of social and media messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages: write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message.
- Do something nice for yourself - something that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful place outside to relax.
- Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your weight to do something to help others. Sometimes reaching out to other people can help you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in the world.
From the National Eating Disorders Association.
If you think talking to a counselor would be of help with these issues see our Get Help section.