Using Positive Affirmations to Improve Body Image

Body image is an important aspect of self-image and our confidence, but unfortunately, many of us struggle with negative body image issues due to societal pressures, internalized beliefs and various other factors.

While there are many ways to work on improving one’s body image, using affirmations can be an effective tool in developing a healthier relationship with ourselves. 

In this article we will discuss how affirmations can help us improve our body image and provide examples of some short affirmations you can use, no matter where you’re starting from.

How Can Positive Affirmations Help Body Image?

Body image refers to the way we perceive, think, and feel about our own bodies. It includes our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about our physical appearance, as well as our overall sense of self-worth and confidence.

Affirmations can be an effective tool in improving body image because they help to shift the focus away from negative thoughts and towards more positive and empowering ones.

By repeating these positive statements, we can slowly begin to believe them and see changes in our own feelings and behaviors towards our self image.

List of Positive Body Affirmations

We need to start with affirmations that we find believable, and then gradually build up to more challenging affirmations as our confidence and self-belief improves.

Starting with more believable affirmations can help to establish a foundation of positive self-talk and build momentum towards more challenging affirmations. It can also help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or discouraged by affirmations that feel too far out of reach.

For example, if you struggle with negative thoughts about your body, starting with affirmations like “I am open to accepting my body” or “I am learning to appreciate my body” may feel more believable and achievable than affirmations like “I love my body unconditionally” or “My body is perfect just as it is.”

As you repeat these more believable affirmations, you may start to notice shifts in your mindset and increased confidence in your ability to believe more challenging affirmations.

Here are some examples of body positive affirmations, with many options:

• I am beautiful inside and out.
• I am worthy of love and respect.
• I accept my body as it is. Always.
• I keep getting better and better.
• I am capable of making choices for myself.
• My body is strong and capable.
• I will be kind to myself today.
• I focus on health.
• I love and accept my body exactly as it is.
• My body is strong, healthy, and beautiful.
• I deserve to treat my body with kindness and respect.
• I am worthy of love and admiration, regardless of my size or shape.
• I am grateful for all the amazing things my body can do for me.
• I am healthy.
• My body is unique and beautiful, and I celebrate it every day.
• I choose to focus on the positive qualities of my body instead of its flaws.
• I am comfortable and confident in my body, and I radiate positivity wherever I go.
• I am grateful for my body and treat it with care and kindness.
• My self-worth is not defined by my physical appearance, but by my inner qualities and strengths.
• I honor my body’s needs and nourish it with healthy foods and movement.
• I release all negative thoughts about my body and embrace self-love and acceptance.
• My body is a temple, and I treat it with the respect and care it deserves.
• I am proud of who I am, and I carry myself with confidence and grace.
• I am worthy of love and respect, and I choose to love and respect myself first and foremost.
• I am grateful for my unique body.
• I am proud of my achievements.
• I appreciate all that my body does for me.
• I will honor and respect my body.
• My beauty comes from within.
• I am beautiful, exactly as I am.
• My body is strong and capable of amazing things.
• When I am kind to my body, it is kind to me.
• I accept and honor my body with love and respect.
• I will never compare myself to anyone because I am unique and perfect in my own way.
• I will focus on the positive aspects of my body and appreciate all that it can do.
• I will not let society’s standards define who I am.
• My body is a reflection of my inner beauty and strength.
• I will practice gratitude for everything my body does for me every day.
• I’m on my own path.
• I choose to honor myself.
• I am beautiful, exactly as I am.
• I’m a work in progress.
• My body is my temple.
• I am worthy of my own unconditional love and acceptance.
• I accept myself just as I am.
• My self-worth is not determined by my physical appearance.
• Every day, I become more confident and empowered in who I am.
• I acknowledge and appreciate my body for all it does for me.
• I am proud of the person I am.
• My beauty is not defined by a number on a scale or size on a tag.
• I accept and celebrate my unique body shape.
• I will not let societal standards define who I am.
• I choose to fill my life with positive self-talk and affirmations.
• I am worthy of joy, purpose, and inner peace.
• My body is a reflection of my courage and strength.
• I embrace all that I am.
• I take care of myself and honor my health.
• I choose progress, not perfection.
• I am enjoying this journey.
• I have so much respect for my body.
• I am always evolving.
• I care about me.
• I take the time and care to honor myself.
• I am proud.
• I love myself at any size.
• I refuse to let others opinions define me.
• My body is my safe haven and I am thankful for it.
• I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
• I appreciate all of the many gifts that my body provides me with.
• This is my moment to shine.
• I will always be kind to myself and practice self-love.
• My body is my ally, not my enemy.
• I am worthy of feeling comfortable in my own skin.
• My thoughts create my reality.
• I can do anything I set my mind to.
• Comparison is the thief of joy. Instead I choose to be grateful for me.

 

How Do We Start Believing These New Affirmations?

Believing positive affirmations about our bodies can be challenging, especially if we’ve spent years holding negative beliefs about ourselves.

However, with time and practice, it’s possible to shift our mindset and internalize these new positive thoughts.

Here are a few strategies that can help you believe your positive affirmations:

1. Visualize the affirmation. As you repeat your affirmation to yourself, imagine yourself living it out. For example, if you’re repeating “My body is beautiful,” imagine yourself looking in the mirror and feeling proud of what you see.
2. Use positive self-talk. Throughout the day, consciously replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. For example, if you catch yourself thinking, “I hate my thighs,” replace that thought with “My legs are strong and powerful.“
3. Practice gratitude. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like about your body, shift your focus to what you appreciate. Make a list of all the things your body does for you, and read it daily.
4. Celebrate progress. When you notice positive changes in your body or mindset, celebrate them. Acknowledge the progress you’ve made and how far you’ve come.
5. Surround yourself with positivity. Seek out positive role models and surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. Avoid people or situations that trigger negative self-talk or self-doubt.

Remember, thinking new thoughts takes time and practice.

Keep repeating your affirmations, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t notice changes immediately. With consistency and patience, you will begin to believe and internalize these positive messages about yourself.

Body positive affirmations can be a powerful tool for improving your relationship with your body and cultivating greater self-love, acceptance, and confidence. By incorporating affirmations into your daily routine, you can develop a more positive and empowering mindset that supports your overall health and well-being.

For further reading on the power of affirmations, check out:

• The Benefits of Affirmations: A Tool For Change & Growth
• Affirmations For Motivation: For Getting & Staying Motivated
• Law Of Assumption Affirmations: For Your Desired State
• Powerful Affirmations for Self Esteem, Confidence & Self Love
• 60+ Positive Affirmations for Weight Loss (Using Your Thoughts For Success)
• 34 Abundance Affirmations To Encourage Possibility