We've all had those bad days when we feel like nothing fits, when we despair, if only I was skinnier here, if only I was flatter there. We try to brush them aside and forget about them to get thorough the day. But what if our negative body thoughts are not to be ignored but listened to and translated? When seen through The BodySelf lens, our body image thoughts can lead to more, not less, connection with ourselves. With curiosity and compassion, this book will help you decode your negative thoughts about your body and provide actionable and empowering steps towards a more constructive and connected relationship with your body. Centered around vignettes of real clients, Body Image Inside Out shows you how to completely flip your mindset on your body. Our bodies and our feelings about them are completely unique to every person, so every chapter features journaling prompts and exercises to personalize your journey in finding comfort in and strength within your body.
"Body Image Inside Out" by Deb Schachter and Whitney Otto offers a refreshing and transformative take on body image by advocating an "inside out" approach. Instead of avoiding or ignoring body image struggles, the book encourages readers to engage in self-exploration, using their own perceptions as a pathway to healing. Schachter and Otto focus on empowering readers to decode negative thoughts and replace them with more compassionate and constructive narratives about their bodies.
The book is structured to guide readers through the complexities of body image, starting with an understanding of what it means and how it affects mental health. It then moves into identifying harmful thoughts and offers practical exercises aimed at promoting a healthier self-image. The final sections emphasize the importance of self-compassion as a key to lasting change, providing readers with actionable steps to improve their relationship with their bodies.
"Body Image Inside Out" is a valuable resource for anyone grappling with body image issues, from individuals seeking personal growth to mental health professionals and educators. The inclusive, body-positive perspective makes the book accessible to a wide audience, offering insights that promote healing, empowerment, and self-acceptance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely love the dedication as someone who has struggled with body image from a young age and this book provided me with useful exercises I’ll still work on even though I’ve finished reading the book. I also found the BodySelf glossary helpful and the index will help me to flip back to what I need as I need it while I work on my self image more. I appreciated that the authors put a note at the beginning around the term ‘fat’ and how it will be used in this book as the term is often used by different people to think of different things and the potential privileges we may have around our bodies before we start. The blessings at the end of each chapter is a sweet touch, especially with how difficult and mentally taxing the work can be.
digital ARC was provided by Netgalley and Sheldon Press
I have to say, it’s a game-changer! The book tackles those familiar bad days when we feel off about our bodies, but instead of brushing it aside, it encourages us to really listen to those thoughts. I loved how it’s filled with relatable vignettes from real clients, making it super easy to connect with.
The journaling prompts and exercises are fantastic! They helped me shift my perspective and find ways to combat my own low body image issues. It's all about curiosity and compassion, and it genuinely offers a roadmap for building a stronger relationship with yourself. If you’re looking to flip the script on how you see your body, this book is definitely worth checking out!
This is a thoughtful and innovative resource for mental health professionals, folks struggling with body image, and really anyone who is curious about the relationship between how we feel about our bodies and our deeper internal/emotional landscape. This book is full of accessible, digestible, inclusive, and skillful content. The prompts, exercises, and client spotlights are fantastic.