What does it Look like to Explore Body Image in Eating Disorder Treatment?
Emily Ervin, MA, LMHC
“Okay. I have stopped behaviors now. When am I going to stop hating my body?”
We so wish it was as easy as, “just stop.” Eating disorders exist for a variety of reasons that we
hope you have explored with your treatment team. One of those reasons often include
something to do with the relationship with the body. Eating disorders, at the core, have
everything to do with the attempt to and need for control. The eating disorder convinces the
individual this can be accomplished by a relentless sprint of manipulating the body.
As a result, the body becomes the enemy. You say things to yourself and the body that you
would likely never say to anyone else. The body is never enough for the eating disorder. The
spiral continues.
Deep breath.
The hopeful news here is that the relationship with the body, just as with food, can be
reconciled and rebuilt. It takes times though. You did not wake up one day and decide to have
an eating disorder. You are not going to wake up one day and decide that you love your body.
That is normal.
Let’s take the pressure off to, “just love yourself,” and explore what healing the relationship
with the body can look like. This comes in stages. The process is likely going to feel
uncomfortable and scary, but you are not alone in this. The categories below explore the stages
of the body image healing and share a few action points for your to consider.
A few disclaimers:
1. This process is not linear. It’s more like a zigzag roller coaster. That is normal.
2. This process is one small action at a time. Even if it feels like things are not changing,
keep showing up and doing the next right thing for your recovery.
3. This process is not exhaustive, but rather an exploratory guide for you to put some
language to the body image healing. Take what is helpful and leave what is not.
Body Hate:
Significant and general dislike for the body. The body feels like the enemy, and you
have an intense desire to change it however you can. You think the body is wrong and it is the
“problem” for not being, “how it is supposed to be”. It is hard for you to be present in your
body without distress.
Action Point:
1. Reflect on your experience with the body in a non-judgmental way. What is your
body narrative?
2. Consider what your current challenges are for moving away from body hate.
Body Respect:
The state of being kinder to the body, providing the nourishment and self-care
the body needs. You do not have to like your body, or love how it looks in order to
respect it.
Action Point:
1. How are you currently respecting your body? (e.g. eating regular meals, taking
medications as prescribed, resting from movement when needed?)
2. Is there someone you could discuss body respect with to gain support?
Body Neutrality:
A mindful practice in which you examine what is without judgement. Often
this includes gratitude for what the function of the body is such as gratitude for the heart
beating and your arms for being able to hug others. The appearance is not considered; it is
about what the body does for you to keep you alive.
Action Point:
1. Make a list of all the things your body allowed you to do today. Every. Single. Thing.
(e.g. waking up, making coffee, driving in your car, walking up the stairs, sit in your
chair, laugh with a friend, play with your daughter, sing in the car…)
2. Consider how the body has continued to engage in its responsibilities even while you
have been attempting to manipulate it. This is not to bring shame, but to bring awe
and understanding of how much your body shows up for you daily...whether you
want it to or not.
Body Acceptance:
Getting to a place where you understand the attempt to change your body
may result in using disordered eating or exercise behaviors. This does not mean you like your
body or even are accepting of how it looks, but it is feeling more ready to move on from
wanting to change it. This is not, “giving up,” or “failing.” In fact, it’s quite the opposite. You are
beginning to see you have a life and worth outside of your body’s looks. It is not worth the work
that it takes to change your body.
Action Point:
1. Reflect how the striving to change the body has changed your life experiences.
2. Consider an action you can engage in today regardless of the feelings you may have
about your body today.
Body Appreciation:
You begin to appreciate what your body can do for you, noticing what the
body allows you to do. A part of this is to appreciate the physical things your body does (e.g.
heart beating, feet for walking, arms for hugging), but also gratitude that your body allows you
to be present in daily life.
Action Point:
1. What does your body do to help you live each day?
2. Reflect on a time your body allowed you to have a fun time with family or friends.
Body Peace:
You start to feel okay with your body. You know at this point your body does not
define your worth. You might not feel totally confident in the body, but you have accepted you
cannot change the body.
Action Point:
1. Consider how to show your body that it is okay just as it is; you do not want to
change it.
2. Reflect on your body image story and give yourself permission to accept and move
forward from your past.
Body Liberation:
You are fully aware that your body does not define your worth and you accept
that. You may not totally love the way you look all the time, but it does not cause disruption in
your daily life. What your body looks like will not prevent you from engaging in your life. You
can appreciate all the little things your body does for you. Judgements about your body or
other people’s body’s may pop into your mind, but they are often ignored or easily reframed.
Once again, please know this is a process. You are doing some of the hardest work you will ever
do by working towards recovery and we are so proud of you.
Keep doing the next smallest step.
You can do this.
Your body thanks you.
Source:
Cash, T. F. (2008). The body image workbook: An Eight-step program for learning to like your
looks. New Harbinger Publications.
