Hello everyone, Kaitlyn Franklin here, I am excited to talk about all things body image and self-acceptance with you today. As a Registered Dietitian and Therapist I get asked all the time “how can I love my body” or “why is it so hard for me to like my body”. If you have ever asked yourself the two questions above or something similar, this blog post is for you.
This blog post is one of my favourite topics because we get to uncover the basics of body image and how every person's journey is different when it comes to uncovering their love and/or acceptance of their body.
Understanding Body Image
Think about body image as the way you think and feel about your body that is influenced by positive and negative experiences. Understanding body image is complex, it affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. In a world that values appearance, it is challenging to develop a positive or neutral body image of oneself when we are compared to unrealistic body standards. Practicing self love and self acceptance with your body changes the internal voice that is used to describe or think about your body image and overtime will lead to neutral or positive thoughts and feelings about your body.
Four main components of body image:
Body perception: This refers to how we perceive our body size, shape, and appearance. Body perception is often influenced by the media or how we compare to others.
Body satisfaction: This refers to the way you feel about your body, this can include emotions of happiness all the way to disapproval and several others in between.
Body esteem: This refers to how we value and respect our body.
Body control: This refers to how much control we feel we have over our body.
Learning to love your body
There are a number of things you can do to begin to change your relationship with your body. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Notice the internal talk. Begin to notice your automatic way of thinking and talking about your body. Notice if the statements are positive, negative or neutral. Identify what behaviours are influencing these thoughts.
Challenge negative thoughts. When you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about your body, challenge them. Are these thoughts really true? Are they helpful? Where is this old narrative from?
Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would show to a friend. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and focus on progress not perfection.
Practice self-love. Engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself, such as eating balanced meals, moving your body in a way that feels good for you, and prioritizing sleep.
Notice the unhelpful behaviours: This includes body checking, negative self-talk, weighing yourself and comparing yourself to others. These behaviours will only lead to disappointment and self-criticism.
Bottom Line
Body image is the way you perceive and feel about your body. It's influenced by a variety of factors, including your genetics, life experiences, and the media. Negative body image can lead to a range of problems, such as low self-esteem, eating disorders, and depression. Today's reminder is that all bodies are different, and there is no such thing as a perfect body because all bodies are unique and beautiful.
Remember that everyone's journey is different and yours does not need to be taken alone. As a therapist and dietitian I would love to be a part of your journey! If you are located in British Columbia, click the link below to book.
*Important note: I will be facilitating a body image therapy group in-person in Nanaimo starting February 6, 2025 for five weeks. If you'd be interested to learn more about this group please click the link above, or email kaitlyn@therapyplace.ca.
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