Body Image

Wellness Center
Physical Well-Being
Body Image

BODY IMAGE is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. It encompasses:

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 physically experience or feel in your body.

What is body neutrality?
- Body neutrality is the practice of both “Not supporting the hatred of our vessel (our physical structure) or the love and adoration of our vessel.”
How is body neutrality different from body positivity?
Body positivity focuses on emphasizing the positive aspects of our body
- However, body positivity pre-dispositions us to being more aware of our physical bodies, which
Body positivity has also been co-opted as a movement.
How can I practice body neutrality?
- 5 Steps to Body Neutrality
- Practicing body neutral affirmations
- Focus less on what your body looks like and what it can physically do

What is fatphobia?
- Fatphobia is the fear and hatred of fat bodies.
- Fatphobia creates weight bias and weight stigma, which leads to discrimination
- Fatphobia impact almost all aspects of our lives, including our individual attitudes and behaviors, to systems
- Fatphobia has racist origins
  - https://www.npr.org/transcripts/893006538
What are some of the negative impacts of fatphobia?
- Mental health problems
- Poor self image
- Feeling misunderstood and judged by your community
- Self harm
- Eating disorders
- Etc…
How can we counteract fatphobia in our day to day lives?
- Be honest about where you are in your journey
- Identify what is important to you
- Drop the diet talk
- Don’t comment on people’s bodies (including your own)
- Keep unsolicited health advice to yourself
- Talk back to yourself
- Don’t assume that fat people are failed thin people.
- Speak up if you can if you see fatphobia in your life
- Audit your life
Want to learn more about fatphobia?
- Check out this past wellness presentation.

It is important to remember that everybody is different. We all have different genetic and cultural traits. Even if everyone started eating the same things and did the same amount of exercise for a whole year and in the end, we would not all look the same. This is because each person’s genetic inheritance influences their bone structure, body size, shape, and weight differently.

So, how can you determine your ideal body weight? Your “ideal” body weight is the weight that allows you to feel strong and energetic and lets you lead a healthy, normal life. For example, when your body is healthy and at its ideal body weight, you are not too tired and you have the energy to interact with friends and family, participate in sports, and concentrate on school or work. While being overweight can be associated with adverse medical conditions, your body weight can be healthy across a wide range of weights. When searching for your ideal weight, charts, formulas, and tables may be misleading and should be used under the guidance of a qualified expert. Focusing on eating balanced nutritious meals of food and regularly exercising will help you to achieve balance and arrive at your ideal weight. Consult a qualified expert in medicine and nutrition for more information.

Most of all, avoid comparing your body with your friends’ bodies or the people you see in advertisements or on your favorite TV shows. If you compare yourself to others, try to remember that we are all naturally different, which means we all have special qualities. Make a list of some of your strengths. What do you like to do? What makes you unique?

To make it simple, remember these keys to an ideal body:

Treat your body with respect.
Give it enough rest.
Fuel it with a variety of foods.
Exercise moderately.
Resist the pressure to judge yourself and others based on weight, shape, or size.
Respect people based on the qualities of their character and accomplishments, rather than just because of their appearance.

Listen To Your Body

Choose a variety of foods that contribute to a healthy diet, and eat when you are truly hungry. Stop when you’re full.
Eat what appeals to you. Do this instead of any diet, and you’re likely to maintain a healthy weight and avoid eating disorders.

Size Diversity

Eating disorders can affect all kinds of bodies and you cannot tell by looking at someone if they have an eating disorder. Each person’s genetic inheritance influences their bone structure, body size, shape, and weight differently. We should appreciate those differences, encourage healthy behaviors, and treat everybody with respect. Learn more >