Body image can be changed when you agree to talk to your body from the voice of your own “Wise Adult”.
Our old, negative beliefs are just that–beliefs. They come from a narrow-minded view of beauty, and from a sense that the value of our body is outside, not inside. These beliefs are masquerading as fact; they are not.
For example, would you [private_membership circle]love your daughter or best friend more or less based on weight? Or on a specific look they had? Or their age?
Please respond to the following questions, as quickly as you can:
What I like most about my body is:
What others admire about my body is:
I appreciate my hands for:
(Repeat for legs, eyes, stomach, arms, hips, bottom, feet):
My body is good at:
My body is strong in this way:
My body is delicate in this way:
My body needs my attention here:
What feelings come up for you as you answered these questions?
Whatever the response, can you try to be gentler with your body? Can you try to see judgment of your body as an old behavior, something you learned to do, not something that is accurate? Can you acknowledge your flaws, but let go of them as having an impact on your worth or value?
(Copyright Amy Pershing;The Bodywise Intensive)
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Amy Pershing LMSW, ACSW, Clinical Director, The Center for Eating Disorders, Director, Bodywise Binge Eating Recovery Program and The Bodywise Intensive www.thebodywiseprogram.com , Board Member, Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDAonline.org)
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