So what is body image anyways??

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 (that includes your assumptions, memories, and generalizations)
• How you feel about 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

Negative body image is...

• A distorted perception of your shape-- when you perceive parts of your body unlike they really are
• You are convinced that only other people are attractive and that 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

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

People with a 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.

We all may have our days when we feel awkward or uncomfortable in our bodies, but the key to developing a positive body image is to recognize and respect our natural shape and learn to overpower those negative thoughts and feelings with positive, affirming, and accepting ones.

*Definitons and information taken from the National Eating Disorders Association. I do not claim to have created these definitions.
"National Eating Disorders Association." National Eating Disorders Association. 2005. Web. 03 June 2012. <http://www.NationalEatingDisorders.org/>.