If you feel insecure about the shape, size, and/or weight of your body, this collection of body image tips and body positivity quotes will help shut down your negative, self-sabotaging thoughts so you can feel comfortable and confident about yourself and your body!
What Is Body Positivity?
If you’ve spent any time on social media over the last few years, you’ve probably heard about the Body Positive Movement, which promotes the idea that all bodies are created equal. This movement was originally created to help people with disordered eating uncover the distorted thoughts they have about themselves and their weight due to the messages imposed on them by society. It was designed to empower these people to develop a weight-neutral approach to self-care and self-love. The body positivity concept has taken off in recent years, and while some argue the original message has been diluted, it’s hard to deny the positive impact it has had on society as a whole.
#BodyPositivity reminds people they are entitled to self-love, regardless of the fact that their bodies do not fit within the parameters of what society deems as ‘normal’. Body positivity is about helping people who are overweight, of color, transgender, differently-abled, etc. embrace and feel proud of their differences and break free of the notion that they need to change themselves and their lifestyles to fit into societal norms.
6 Tips for a Positive Body Image
1) Celebrate your body
If you’re trying to create a positive body image, a great first step is to learn how to love and celebrate your body rather than hating or resenting it. For example, instead of feeling unhappy with how you look and feel while exercising, remind yourself how privileged you are that you can move your body. Not everyone can! And when you do find certain tasks or activities difficult, don’t go to the negative. Instead of saying, ‘I can’t’, look in the mirror and say, ‘I can’t…YET.’
2) Write down 3 positive things about yourself each morning
Mornings tend to be a time when we struggle most with our internal dialogue. Whether you had a poor night of sleep, indulged in a late night snack that caused you to wake up feeling bloated, or your kids woke up on the wrong side of the bed and are taking their emotions out on you, you’re much more likely to focus on the negatives at this time of day. If this sounds like you, get into the habit of writing down 3 things you like about yourself when you wake up to help train your brain to focus on your positive qualities and features.
3) Identify and remove triggers
If you struggle to maintain a positive body image, it’s quite possible that certain situations – or people – trigger you to engage in negative self-talk. Each time you find yourself feeling unhappy with yourself, take a moment to dig deeper. Write down the events that occurred leading up to those familiar feelings of self-deprecation, as well as how you responded and what behaviors you engaged in afterward that may encourage the cycle to repeat itself again. The idea is to keep a written log for a period of time to help you look for consistencies, allowing you to identify and remove/avoid triggers.
4) Try The Rubber Band Technique
Have you heard of The Rubber Band Technique? The idea is pretty simple: you wear a rubber band around your wrist, and whenever a negative thought runs through your head, you snap the rubber band and say (or think) the word ‘STOP’. You can follow this up with deep breaths or a sip of water, or you can find ways to replace the negative thought with a positive one – whatever works for you.
5) Develop a mantra to shut down negative thoughts
This is sort of a variation of The Rubber Band Technique, but many people prefer this option as you can make it a little more personal. A mantra is a word or phrase that is repeated frequently to keep your mind focused. Mantras are typically used in meditation, but they are also a fabulous tool for those looking to develop a more positive body image. Pick a word or phrase with meaning to you and your specific goals toward bettering yourself, and each time you find yourself in a negative mindset, repeat your mantra over and over until your thoughts begin to shift. Some people find it helpful to display their mantra somewhere prominent in their home and/or office, and others go so far as to have their mantra tattooed on their body. The sky really is the limit!
6) Limit your social media activity
Social media can be tricky. It helps us stay connected to the ones we love as well as those we aspire to become, and while I’ve definitely seen a shift in people sharing more honest and raw glimpses into their lives, that still seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Social media can be especially damaging to those who struggle with body image, so be mindful of who you follow on Instagram and Facebook and don’t be afraid to take a break from social media when needed.
21 Body Positivity Quotes
Loving yourself is the greatest revolution.
-Unknown
You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.
-Louise Hay
To me, beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about knowing and accepting who you are.
-Ellen Degeneres
Life is so much more beautiful than a number on a scale.
-Tess Munster
You’re a human being. You live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake.
-Emma Stone
Worthiness does not have prerequisites.
-Brené Brown
Losing weight is not your life mission. Counting calories is not your one true calling. You are meant for something greater.
-Unknown
To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.
-Sven Goran Eriksson
Confidence is the only key. I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.
-Emma Stone
Hating our bodies is something that we learn, and it sure as hell is something that we can unlearn.
-Megan Jayne Crabbe
You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin. You can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.
-Jessica Ortner
I am allowed to look sexy, feel sexy, and be in love. I am worthy of all those things. And so are you.
-Mary Lambert
We can’t hate ourselves into a version of ourselves we can love.
-Lori Deschene
Your worth is not defined by the size of your waist.
-Unknown
You are not alive to just pay bills and lose weight.
-Unknown
Is ‘fat’ really the worst thing a human being can be? Is ‘fat’ worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring or cruel? Not to me.
-J.K. Rowling
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
I am more than my measurements… My body is MY body. I’ll call the shots.
-Ashley Graham
The problem isn’t with your body, the problem is what you think of it… And what you think of yourself.
-Unknown
Life is too short to spend another day at war with yourself.
-Unknown
I have a belly. And I have cellulite. And I still deserve love.
-Amy Schumer
I hope this collection of body image tips and body positivity quotes inspires you to ditch your self-sabotaging thoughts and beliefs. Remember to identify and remove triggers, to focus on your positive qualities instead of the things you struggle with, to limit your social media use, and to find powerful words and phrases to help shut down negative thinking.
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