40 Body Image Affirmations for Eating Disorder Recovery

We live in a world that promotes unrealistic beauty expectations and fails to recognize that the way we perceive our bodies impacts our overall well-being.

It has become easy to engage in negative self-talk, compare parts of our bodies to others and criticize the way we look. However, it is time we all pause, reflect and learn the power of self-acceptance.

In this blog, we explore the complexities of body image and provide you with empowering positive affirmations that you can use to transform your relationship with your body. 

It can be helpful to understand a few definitions before we dive into how to start cultivating a positive body image so let’s begin!

What is Body Image?

Body image is how you view yourself and the feelings you have toward characteristics such as height, weight and appearance. It encompasses both the positive and negative thoughts and emotions you have about your body. 

Body Image Distress

Body image distress is dissatisfaction with the body that is accompanied with consistent negative thoughts and feelings. It is a condition that can include behaviors such as extreme dieting, body checking, constant comparison to others or fixation on “fixing” a certain body part like the waist, thighs or face. 

Body Dysmorphia

Taking it a step further, body dysmorphia disorder or BDD is an extreme form of body image distress. It is diagnosed due to consistent thinking about perceived flaws in appearance that warrants intervention from a mental health professional.

What is Body Positivity? 

On the flip side, body positivity is a movement that challenges societal ideals and promotes accepting your body through compassion, appreciation and gratitude. 

It is a mindset that advocates for celebration of all bodies, regardless of their size, shape or appearance. Body positivity rejects that beauty standards define our worth and encourages respect for our body’s abilities. 

By embracing body positivity, we can promote a more compassionate society where everyone is celebrated for their unique self. 

What are Affirmations About Body Image?

One way to start fostering a body positivity mindset is with affirmations. They are an tool that allow you to start shifting your focus away from tying self-worth to physical attributes. 

Positive body image affirmations encourage focus on inner strength, appreciating your body’s abilities and celebrating all your features. They are empowering statements to serve as a reminder that you are more than your physical appearance.

How To Use Body Image Affirmations

There is no right or wrong way to use affirmations. Ultimately, you get to decide when and where to use this tool that best serves you. We do want to share a few tips that you may find helpful when first learning how to incorporate these into your daily routine.

• Choose affirmations that resonate with you and align with your personal values. 
• Practice repetitively by saying your affirmations out loud, to yourself or by writing in a journal or on a sticky note. It can be helpful to practice affirmations at the same time each day or after specific activities when first getting started. 
• Keep the affirmations personal by changing the statements as you continue on your journey to build confidence and practice self compassion. 
• Understand that it is normal to feel uncomfortable or uneasy when first using this tool. It takes time to adjust to affirmations but internalizing the messages and trusting the power of affirmations will help boost positive thoughts and feelings over time. 

Here are 40 positive body image affirmations to consider:  

40 Positive Body Image Affirmations 

1. My body is healthy 
2. My body is strong 
3. I bring value to this world no matter my appearance 
4. I accept my body as it is 
5. I am worthy no matter my size 
6. My size does not define me 
7. I look forward to learning ____ (fill in the blank) about myself this week 
8. I love my body as it is
9. I am thankful my body allows me to do ____(fill in the blank)
10. I do not need to change my body 
11. My body is unique to me
12. I accept myself 
13. I will not listen to negative thoughts or feelings
14. I appreciate my body for taking care of me
15. I am grateful to be able to take care of myself today
16. My body deserves respect 
17. My body deserves kindness 
18. I am beautiful 
19. I treasure the process that I have made
20. I deserve to feel energized 
21. It’s okay to be different than what my social media feed portrays
22. I will not punish myself for the things I cannot control 
23. My ___ (insert body part) support my entire body throughout the day
24. I will pick progress over perfection 
25. I am thankful that I have learned ____ (fill in the blank) about myself 
26. I choose not to compare myself to others
27. My ____ (insert body part) allow me to participate in ___ (fill in the blank) activities
28. My needs matter
29. Everyone has parts of their body they struggle with/don’t like
30. “Ideal bodies” often require disordered eating to attain, meaning “ideal bodies” aren’t sustainable or healthy much of the time 
31. My body is so much more than the view of the outer capsule
32. How I feel is more important than the number on the scale
33. My worth is not defined by my size or weight
34. I trust that my body knows what to do
35. With each day, I will get stronger
36. I am enough
37. I will handle tough situations as they come my way 
38. I have made progress
39. My feelings matter
40. My body deserves to be appreciated 

Final Thoughts 

If you have struggled with disordered eating, an eating disorder or body image distress, the thought of shifting your negative thoughts and embracing body positivity may seem unattainable. However, with practice and the right set of tools, you can boost your self-esteem, promote self-acceptance, and cultivate a positive body image. 

Write down your favorite body image affirmations from above and place them in a desired location. This can be in a workspace, on a mirror, the refrigerator or in a personal journal. Let the affirmations serve as a positive reminder of your inherent beauty and worth as you continue to embark on your path of body acceptance. 

Here at Anyone’s Journey, we specialize in eating disorders and disordered eating with the approach that short strides result in long term possibilities. Our clinicians value working at a pace that is comfortable for you. It is also never too early, nor too late, to seek guidance. Contact us by calling 612-638-2778, emailing contact@anyonesjourney.com or completing our Referral Form