Healthy Body Image

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 and accepting ones.
People with negative body images 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.

When you look in the mirror what do you see? When you walk past a shop window and catch a glimpse of your body, what do you notice first? Are you proud of what you see, or do you think, "I’m too short, I’m too fat, if only I were thinner or more muscular?" Most people answer negatively. Take the following quiz and see how your Body Image I.Q. measures up. Check the most appropriate answer:

As women, we all want to look and feel our best. This is not always easy, considering the busy life today's woman leads and the many responsibilities she may have. It can be tough to find time for exercising and eating right, not to mention controlling stress! Sometimes women can feel pressured to look and feel a certain way. We live in a culture in America that puts much emphasis on physical appearance. Youth is admired as well - not just in terms of age but also in terms of young attitudes and outlooks on life and physical fitness. Developing and nurturing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is crucial to our happiness and wellness, as we move through the different stages of our lives.
Body image involves our perception, imagination, emotions, and physical sensations of and about our bodies. It s not static- but ever changing; sensitive to changes in mood, environment, and physical experience. It is not based on fact.

1. Have you avoided sports or working out because you didn’t want to be seen in gym clothes? Yes__ No __
2. Does eating even a small amount of food make you feel fat? Yes__ No__
3. Do you worry or obsess about your body not being small, thin or good enough? Yes__ No __
4. Are you concerned your body is not muscular or strong enough? Yes__No__
5. Do you avoid wearing certain clothes because they make you feel fat? Yes __ No__
6. Do you feel badly about yourself because you don’t like your body? Yes __ No__
7. Have you ever disliked your body? Yes __ No __
8. Do you want to change something about your body? Yes __ No __
9. Do you compare yourself to others and "come up short?" Yes__ No__

It is psychological in nature, and much more influenced by self-esteem than by actual physical attractiveness as judged by others. It is not inborn, but learned.

ANSWERS TO THE TEST QUESTIONS