Body Image
What is a Body Image?
Body image is...
- 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, and 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.
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.
Accept yourself -- Accept your body. Celebrate yourself -- Celebrate your body
Positive body image is...
- A clear, true perception of your shape--you see the various parts of your body as they really are.
- 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.
- You feel proud and accepting of your unique body and refuse to spend an unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight, and calories.
- You feel comfortable and confident in your body.
Negative body image is...
- A distorted perception of your shape; you perceive parts of your body unlike they really are.
- You are convinced only other people are attractive and your body size or shape is a sign of personal failure.
- You feel ashamed, self-conscious and anxious about your body.
- You feel uncomfortable and awkward in your body.