Improving Body Image

Eating disorder is a common condition that we find in students and young adults. Many students struggle to fit with fellow classmates because they think that their body image is not great. They struggle to adjust because of low self-esteem. Eating disorders happens when they preoccupied with food, weight gain or weight loss and their physical appearance.

Michael Levine, PhD and Linda Smolak, PhD, have given ten will powers to improve body image.

1. I WILL ask myself: “Am I benefiting from focusing on what I believe are flaws in my body weight or shape?”
2. I WILL think of three reasons why it is ridiculous for me to believe that thinner people are happier or “better.” I will repeat these reasons to myself whenever I feel the urge to compare my body shape to someone else’s.
3. I WILL spend less and less time in front of mirrors—especially when they are making me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about my body.
4. I WILL exercise for the joy of feeling my body move and grow stronger. I will not exercise simply to lose weight, purge fat from my body, or to “make-up” for calories I have eaten.
5. I WILL participate in activities that I enjoy, even if they call attention to my weight and shape.I will constantly remind myself that I deserve to do things I enjoy, like dancing, swimming, etc., no matter what my shape or size is!
6. I WILL refuse to wear clothes that are uncomfortable or that I do not like but wear simply because they divert attention from my weight or shape. I will wear clothes that are comfortable and that make me feel at home in my body.
7. I WILL list 5 to10 good qualities that I have, such as understanding, intelligence, or creativity. I will repeat these to myself whenever I start to feel bad about my body.
8. I WILL practice taking people seriously for what they say, feel, and do. Not for how slender, or “well put together” they appear.
9. I WILL surround myself with people and things that make me feel good about myself and my abilities. When I am around people and things that support me and make me feel good, I will be less likely to base my self-esteem on the way my body looks.
10. I WILL treat my body with respect and kindness. I will feed it, keep it active, and listen to its needs. I will remember that my body is the vehicle that will carry me to my dreams!

I WILL choose to take care of myself and my body!

Source: NEDA: By:  Michael Levine, PhD and Linda Smolak, PhD

Image credit: Photo by Zach Reiner on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)