How Do You View Your Body?

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 5

Young smiling man eating on diet.

Body Ownership, Healthy Body Image

*  My body is beautiful to me.

*  My feelings about my body are not influenced by society’s concept of an ideal body shape.

*  I know that the significant others in my life will always find me attractive.

*  I nourish my body so it has the strength and energy to achieve my physical goals.

*  I pay attention to my body and my appearance because it is important to me, but it only occupies a small part of my day.

Body Pre-Occupied/ Distorted Body Image

*  I spend a significant time in front of the mirror viewing my body.

*  I spend a significant time comparing my body to others.

*  I’d be more attractive if I was thinner, more muscular, etc.

*  I have considered changing or have changed my body through surgery so that I can accept myself.

*  I wish I could change the way I look.

Body Hate/ Disassociation

*  I often feel separated and distant from my body, as if it belongs to someone else.

*  I hate my body and I often isolate myself from others.

*  I don’t see anything positive or even neutral about my body shape and size.

*  I don’t believe others when they tell me I look OK.

*  I hate the way I look in the mirror.

Move toward viewing your body in a healthy way. Use the healthy body image statements in the left column as affirmations. Repeat these to yourself. Make changing your attitude a goal.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine