Book contents
- Positive Body Image Workbook
- Positive Body Image Workbook
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Section I Introduction and Preparation
- Section II The Journey Toward Positive Body Image
- Chapter 4 Appearance Ideals and Media Literacy
- Chapter 5 Weight Stigma versus Weight Inclusivity
- Chapter 6 Body Acceptance by Others
- Chapter 7 Defining Beauty and Cultural Pride
- Chapter 8 Self-Compassion and Body Image Flexibility
- Chapter 9 Approaching Our Bodies
- Chapter 10 Body Appreciation
- Chapter 11 Functionality Appreciation
- Chapter 12 Embodiment
- Chapter 13 Objectification and Self-Objectification
- Chapter 14 Sexual Intimacy
- Chapter 15 Social Comparison
- Chapter 16 Body Talk
- Chapter 17 Protective Filtering
- Chapter 18 Rippling Effect: Mentorship
- Chapter 19 Self-Care
- Chapter 20 Fueling Our Bodies
- Chapter 21 Life-Enhancing Movement
- Chapter 22 Adaptive Appearance Investment and Quality of Life
- Section III Continuing Our Journeys
- Index
- References
Chapter 9 - Approaching Our Bodies
from Section II - The Journey Toward Positive Body Image
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 February 2021
- Positive Body Image Workbook
- Positive Body Image Workbook
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Section I Introduction and Preparation
- Section II The Journey Toward Positive Body Image
- Chapter 4 Appearance Ideals and Media Literacy
- Chapter 5 Weight Stigma versus Weight Inclusivity
- Chapter 6 Body Acceptance by Others
- Chapter 7 Defining Beauty and Cultural Pride
- Chapter 8 Self-Compassion and Body Image Flexibility
- Chapter 9 Approaching Our Bodies
- Chapter 10 Body Appreciation
- Chapter 11 Functionality Appreciation
- Chapter 12 Embodiment
- Chapter 13 Objectification and Self-Objectification
- Chapter 14 Sexual Intimacy
- Chapter 15 Social Comparison
- Chapter 16 Body Talk
- Chapter 17 Protective Filtering
- Chapter 18 Rippling Effect: Mentorship
- Chapter 19 Self-Care
- Chapter 20 Fueling Our Bodies
- Chapter 21 Life-Enhancing Movement
- Chapter 22 Adaptive Appearance Investment and Quality of Life
- Section III Continuing Our Journeys
- Index
- References
Summary
When we dislike how we look, we may either “check” aspects of our appearance obsessively in the mirror, avoid looking at ourselves in the mirror, or both. When I (Tracy) was seven years old and on the swim team, I would stand in front of the mirror and check how much my upper thighs would “puff” out from under my bathing suit. Then, in my early twenties, I would avoid looking at all reflective surfaces, such as store windows and display cases. When I successfully avoided seeing my reflection, I was relieved momentarily, but then I felt even more distress when I realized how much I feared seeing my body – avoiding my reflection actually increased my initial distress. In fact, research shows that frequently checking or avoiding our appearance are both maladaptive in that they increase appearance dissatisfaction, shame, and guilt.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Positive Body Image WorkbookA Clinical and Self-Improvement Guide, pp. 133 - 146Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021