How To Stop Thinking About Your Weight

People with eating disorders often have an obsession with fat and weight. They look in a mirror and see only imperfections, often believing they are much bigger than they really are, and they blame themselves for not restricting their diets enough.

Negative self-talk is extremely common among women with eating disorders, but there are strategies that can help reduce it.

Steps to reduce negative self-talk

Compliment yourself on something other than your appearance. If you did something well at work, school, or a sport, praise yourself for it. Think about your talents, your skills, your friends, and everything that sets you above your peers. Emphasize how amazing your body is and how it helps you accomplish great things other than simply looking thin.

Measure how often you think badly about your body. You may not even be aware you’re doing it, so it is important to distinguish situations that make you more vulnerable to “fat talk.” If you feel the worst when looking in mirrors, try using only small face mirrors or even going completely without! Identify when you are most likely to have low self-esteem, and try to shift your focus to other things.

Recognize that beauty is not dependent on your body. Genetics influence our body size, shape, and weight, so it’s natural for everyone to look different. Some women can stay thin without much effort at all, and others find it nearly impossible to lose weight. Skinny does not always equate to beauty, and larger women can be just as gorgeous as smaller ones. And more importantly, guys hardly notice your weight!

Criticize the media. Instead of becoming jealous of emaciated models in magazines, think about how strange these women would look in public and what negative messages the fashion industry is sending to young girls. Many of these images are digitally altered and impossible to achieve in reality, and the media often portrays Photoshopped women who look entirely different in person.

If you have a strong social group, encourage compliments and positive body talk with your friends. The more you hear good things from others, the higher your own self-esteem will be. Try complimenting your friends and see how much it improves their mood!