Body Image Forum Discussion

@summertimeSamness - Ooh, love the "crossover" discussion! Definitely a relevant one in this community. I'll confess, I haven't watched the video as I am at work right now, but thought I would answer the other questions :)

2. How would you rate your relationship with your own body right now on a scale of 1 thru 10 (1 being a very unhealthy body image and 10 being extremely confident and happy in your own skin) Can you identify the reasons why you gave yourself that rating? Please share why, if you're comfortable telling us

I would say right now probaby a 6 - being overwhelmed at work tends to make me let go of everything else and I am feeling a bit gross from not taking care of myself well lately, but at the same time, being in recovery means that even on my lower body image days, I still feel generally comfortable in my skin and can see some good sides of my body despite having things I'd still like to change.

3. Have you noticed a pattern or certain triggers that contribute to your low body image days? What does a good body image day feel like for you?

It can vary, but often low body image days are tied to other parts of my mood being bad - like if I'm feeling upset about something else, it's easy for it to carry over into how I feel about my body. My best body image days usually involve being around people who I find supportive and inspirational (e.g., being around my book club friends always gives me lots of confidence because it's such a supportive and amazing group of people who build each other up) or because I'm wearing something that makes me feel crazy good, whether or not I look crazy good in it (e.g., I have a gold sequined dress that is not the most attractive thing on me, but it definitely makes me feel super attractive and confidant)

4. Alot of the time we tend to focus on the parts of our bodies that we hate the most, but are there any parts about your body that you love? It can be something small such as I love my dimples, i love my eye color, i like the way my hair looks. Focusing our energy on the parts our bodies that we like can help take the power away from the parts that cause us distress. Can you name one or more parts about your body that you love?

I really like my eyes/eyebrows and I love the color I dye my hair :)

5. If you're in the US, the holidays are just around the corner and novemeber is seen as a time to give thanks! We often forget to give thanks to our own bodies which work so hard everyday to give us life and strength! Saying a simple thank you to your body each day can help keep our mindsets healthier. It can be a simple thank you to my eyes for letting me see the beauty of the beach and nature everyday! Or i can thank my hands for letting me type out this forum post! Without my hands, I wouldn't be able to connect to such as amazing community of people! I would like to thank my feet that let me stand up and let me feel the sand on the beach! Is there a body thank you that you would like to shoutout to your body right now?

Shoutout to my legs for carrying me around London for my trip and to my hands for being the fastest typers around! :)

6. What wise words would you tell a close friend or loved one who struggled with low body image?

I think body image can often be super tied to other self image - what are things you can accomplish or goals you can work towards that have nothing to do with your body but will make you feel great? Also - literally no one thinks as much about your body as you do, so stop fearing all that judgment and let yourself live! People remember and love you for you, not for your body.