50 Positive Affirmations for Body Image
Written by Isabel Vasquez RD, LDN
Everyone wants to have a good relationship with their body, yet most people struggle with this. With the constant bombardment of messaging about the “ideal” body–a body unachievable for the vast majority of us– from the media, it makes sense that many of us would struggle to have a positive body image. This is especially true for those living in marginalized bodies.
That being said, there are ways to start cultivating a better body image, developing body neutrality and maybe one day, embracing body positivity.
The Power of Positive Body Affirmations
Look. I know that for some people, affirmations just don’t do it. The idea of standing in front of a mirror and repeating uplifting phrases to yourself may just seem cringey. If you don’t love affirmations, that’s okay. But for many other people, affirmations can help!
And you don’t have to stand in front of a mirror giving yourself a pep talk. While this is one way to do it, affirmations may just be phrases you repeat to yourself internally throughout the day.
You may choose to put sticky notes on your desk or mirror or virtual notes on your phone to repeatedly come back to these positive, grounding messages. It can help interrupt negative thoughts that trip us up as the day progresses and we get more inundated with diet culture messaging.
Body Neutrality vs. Body Positivity
Before we get into the affirmations, let’s talk about the difference between body positivity and body neutrality.
Body Positivity
Body positivity gets a lot of attention now that the body positivity movement is picking up steam. However, many people don’t know the roots of this movement.
The body positivity movement began in the 1960’s by fat individuals advocating for their rights. Unfortunately, BIPOC fat individuals who tried to bring attention to the intersectionality of their oppressed identities were largely hushed and pushed to the side, further marginalizing them.
Now, a lot of the body positivity space has been co-opted by thin, white women showcasing minimal “flaws” despite largely fitting in with society’s body ideals.
That is not to say that everyone can’t struggle with body image, but it highlights the ways in which the movement has so drastically changed and fat individuals have been marginalized within the movement they started.
When you think of body positivity now, you probably think of feeling confident in your body, loving your body, and fully embracing your body. While cultivating a positive body image may sound lovely, it may also sound unachievable especially if you live in a marginalized body.
For that reason, body neutrality is gaining popularity.
Body Neutrality
Body neutrality is pretty much what it sounds like. Rather than striving to feel super positively about your body, it’s a way of working towards feeling more neutral about your body.
Many of us feel so negatively about our bodies. We nitpick every perceived flaw and lack any confidence. For those living in marginalized bodies, it can be extremely challenging not to internalize negative body comments from the media, friends, family, and others.
Body neutrality takes the pressure off of having to reach body love or body positivity, and invites you to work towards a middle ground.
Some other terms that resonate with people are body acceptance, body appreciation, body caretaking, and body respect. Play around with these and see which one(s) resonate with you.
Here are some positive affirmations for body image:
Body Positive Affirmations
My body is amazing no matter what diet culture says.
I love my *insert a part of your body you love* (e.g. hair, smile, legs, etc.).
My *insert body feature* looks/feels great today.
My body feels amazing today.
My body has value regardless of my weight.
I deserve to feel body confidence.
My body is beautiful no matter its size or shape.
I deserve to feel sexy in my body.
I deserve to feel desired.
I am divine.
Body Neutrality Affirmations
My body keeps me alive and that is invaluable.
My body has carried me through today.
Weight loss does not make me more worthy.
My appearance does not determine my worth.
I have so many positive qualities, regardless of my body size.
I am more than my appearance.
I may not love my body all the time and that’s okay.
Body image is fluid. It’s okay if I don’t feel great about my body today.
Society’s views on bodies like mine are false and don’t determine my worth.
Diet culture doesn’t get to tell me what a healthy body looks like.
Body Acceptance Affirmations
My body is unique and that is normal.
Diet culture doesn’t get to determine my body’s worth.
My body deserves respect.
I don’t have to love myself 100% of the time to treat my body with kindness.
This is my body. I will accept it as it is.
The body I’ve been given is enough.
My body is not a problem to be fixed.
I may not love my body, but I accept the parts I don’t love.
I may never fit society’s beauty ideal and that’s okay.
I will meet myself where I am each day in my relationship to my body.
Affirmations for Self Care
I am capable of honoring my body’s needs.
I have a mutual trust with my body (or am committed to developing it).
My body deserves to be cared for.
My body deserves to be pampered.
My body deserves to be fed no matter what.
No matter how my body looks, I will treat it with respect.
I deserve to feel good in my body.
My body is worthy of care and attention.
Taking care of my body deserves to be a priority in my life.
More Body Image Affirmations
My body does not need to look like anyone else’s to be beautiful and worthy.
My body is an instrument not an ornament. (credit: More Than A Body)
I am worthy of having a healthy body image.
I deserve to feel comfortable in my own skin.
I have a greater purpose in life than achieving society’s body ideal.
My life has value regardless of my body size.
I am capable of setting boundaries with people who criticize my body.
I am capable of getting through this tough body image day.
I deserve to feel confident and comfortable in my clothes, no matter my body size.
My relationship to my body is sacred, and I am committed to making it a good one.
Final Thoughts
Affirmations can be one of many things you use to cultivate a better relationship with your body. We hope you have found something that works for you in these sample body positivity, body neutrality, body acceptance, and self-care affirmations.
Feel free to try saying them out loud, to yourself, or putting them on sticky notes. Come back to them repeatedly and see if they help.
Remember that your body is worthy regardless of its shape or size.
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