Cultivating a Positive Body Image for Summer and Beyond with Jess Fry

Episode 039 – The Intuitively You Podcast

Have you ever heard the term “body image” and wondered what it actually means and why a positive body image matters? Well on this podcast episode we are joined by Body Image Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Intuitive Eating Counselor Jess Fry to talk all about how you can cultivate a positive body image for summer and beyond. This episode is a must listen if you struggle to love what you see in the mirror and often let your body dictate your food choices and how you show up in life. 

What does a negative body image look like

Negative body beliefs are so normalized in our society, which can make them a little harder to spot. A few examples or ways that negative or poor body image may be showing up in your life:

• Constant comparison to bodies around you — asking yourself “what’re people going to think of me?“
• Instead of being present at the beach or an event, you sit in towel and nit pick your own body and wonder what others are thinking
• You look in the mirror too frequently (“body checking”) OR you avoid the mirror all together
• You frequently daydream or fantasize about being in a different body — you may have an image of yourself in the future in a different body
• You feel obligated to get all dolled up to leave the house and are not comfortable walking out into world just as you are

Body image struggles can and do manifest differently for everyone! I encourage you to take a moment to ask yourself how body image may be impacting your current day-to-day. Remember, body image struggles aren’t always going to be big and flashy, sometimes it’s the smaller comments or thoughts we have about ourselves throughout the day.

What does a positive body image look like?

On the flip side, a positive body image can look like:

• Taking appearance out of the equation when it comes to your worth, value, and beauty. Your appearance doesn’t dictate how you treat yourself.
• You have realistic expectations. Do you absolutely love your body every day? No, but you are able to appreciate your body for more than how it looks
• You have the ability to look in the mirror and not have an opinion about your appearance — what you look like is no longer the priority simply because you exist being present
• You no longer project your own insecurities onto other people
• You have brain space back to devote to other things (hobbies, school, friendships, etc.)
• You focus on what truly matters in life instead of obsessing over your body’s appearance

How would it feel for your day to look more like this? No longer nitpicking your body, comparing yourself to others, trying to hate your body into change? If this is something you desire I want you to know that it can be yours! It’s all about putting in the work and taking some time to learn how to get there.

Summer & body image 

The summertime can be especially hard for those struggling with their body image. Jess mentions a few reasons this may be the case:

• Our bodies are more exposed — coming off of winter you’re seeing yourself covered up then BOOM your body is more exposed wearing less
• Companies feed off of insecurities and make us feel we need to change our bodies to be able to feel confidently live life in the summer 
• Society obsesses over summer body and trying to look “perfect”
• You are attending more events — weddings reunions, graduations, etc. which means more photos. You may feel shocked by your appearance.

Although working to cultivate a positive body image is always important, this may be especially hard in the summertime. Remember to be gentle with yourself and lean on support systems and tools as you need them. You do NOT have to change your body to meet the pressure put on you by society or yourself.

Three actionable steps to improve body image for summer

1. Wear clothes that fit your current body

• In summertime it’s more hot, sweaty, humidity, discomfort, and chafing. And on top of that wearing clothes that are uncomfortable your mind gets FORCED to have all-consuming thoughts about your body

2. Practice wearing clothes that show more skin in the house, in a space that feels safe

• This is a form of exposure therapy and can help reduce the shock that may come from a mirror or having to leave the house in these clothes
• Remember that the more you expose yourself to uncomfortable things the more comfortable they become 
• As you feel able, leave the house in the clothes and bring a safety cardigan with you in case you need it

3. If you have a lot of events to go to, shift your perspective of what the event is FOR vs. what your appearance will be like

• When you are getting ready for an event with lots of photos, trying things on may cause distress
• Shift perspective of what the event is FOR vs. What your appearance will be like
• What’s the reason you’re going? Focus on that 

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Listen to the Episode

Body image is a crucial piece in the food freedom and intuitive eating puzzle. I hope you will take some time to sit back, listen to this episode, and soak up this valuable information today.

We talk about:

• Jess’s experience working with neurodivergent folks
• What a negative body image looks like & how to spot it in your own life
• Jess’s background and personal history of chronic dieting and poor body image
• Why it’s so summon to struggle with your body image in the summer
• What it looks like to embody a positive body image
• Three actionable steps you can take to help cultivate a positive body image for summer & beyond

And if you’re looking for more direction:

• Take the Free Quiz: I have a completely free why do you binge eat quiz that will help you figure out what’s keeping you stuck in the binge eating cycle and holding you back from food freedom the most at this time.
• Food Freedom Reflection: Get your journal out and answer these questions. How do I feel about my relationship with food right now? What do I want my relationship with food to be like? What’s one small step that I can take to get closer to my goals? 
• Get Support: I have a highly supportive binge eating coaching program that is designed to help you take all the steps you need to so you can embody your version of food freedom. Some other great places to look for support: Intuitive Eating Counselor directory, National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), National Eating Disorders Association, and my other intuitive eating coaching services.

This episode is a collaborative conversation with Jess Fry, Body Image Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Intuitive Eating Counselor (@embodyconfidencecoaching) and Owner of Embody Confidence Coaching, and Jenn Baswick, host of the Intuitively You Podcast.