Body Image & Self-Image

Why This Matters

During your teen years, your body is changing rapidly, and it's easy to compare yourself to others or unrealistic standards. Learning to appreciate your body and build a positive self-image is one of the most important skills for lifelong happiness and confidence.

🪞 Real vs. Fake

Understand how media distorts reality and creates impossible standards

💭 Challenge Thoughts

Recognize and reframe negative body-focused self-talk

💪 Health Focus

Shift from appearance obsession to what your body can do

❤️ Self-Acceptance

Build genuine appreciation for your unique body and self

🎭

Activity 1: Media Reality Check

Understand how images are manipulated to create false standards

Instructions: Learn the truth about social media and advertising images.

🚨 The Truth About Social Media:

90% of images are edited - Filters, photoshop, perfect lighting
Average person takes 20+ photos to get "the perfect one"
Professional models have teams: stylists, makeup artists, photographers, editors
Even celebrities don't look like their photos in real life
Comparing your real life to someone's highlight reel isn't fair

List 3 accounts or celebrities you follow who make you feel bad about yourself:

How do these accounts make you feel?

What will you do about it? (Unfollow, limit exposure, etc.)

💬

Activity 2: Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Transform critical thoughts into compassionate ones

Instructions: Practice reframing body-negative thoughts into body-neutral or body-positive ones.

❌ Negative: "I hate my thighs."

✅ Reframe it:

❌ Negative: "I'm too fat/skinny."

✅ Reframe it:

❌ Negative: "My skin/hair/face is ugly."

✅ Reframe it:

Your Personal Reframes:

What negative thought do you have most often about your body?

Reframe that thought in a kind, compassionate way:

💪

Activity 3: What Your Body Can DO

Shift focus from appearance to capability and function

Instructions: List all the amazing things your body does for you every single day.

My Body's Superpowers:

Physical abilities (sports, dance, strength, flexibility):

Senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell):

Healing and resilience (recovering from illness, adapting):

Expression (laugh, smile, hug, create art, play music):

What's one thing your body did today that you're grateful for?

🌟

Activity 4: Self-Image Beyond the Body

Define yourself by who you are, not how you look

Instructions: Identify the qualities and characteristics that truly define you.

I Am More Than My Body:

My personality traits (kind, funny, determined, creative, etc.):

My talents and skills:

My values and beliefs:

How I make others feel:

Complete this: "I want to be remembered for _______, not for how I looked."

❤️

Activity 5: Build Your Body Positivity Practice

Create daily habits that support self-acceptance

Instructions: Choose practices you'll commit to for building lasting body positivity.

My Body Positivity Commitments:

Limit social media time to ___ minutes per day Unfollow accounts that make me feel bad Stop body-checking (mirror, photos, weighing) Compliment myself daily on non-physical traits Move my body for joy, not punishment Eat for nourishment and satisfaction Stop participating in body-shaming conversations Practice self-compassion when I slip up

My #1 body positivity goal for the next 30 days:

When negative body thoughts arise, I will:

Your Reflection

Think deeply about body image and self-worth:

1. When did you first start feeling insecure about your body? What triggered it?

2. How has focusing on appearance affected your life, relationships, or happiness?

3. What would your life look like if you stopped worrying about your appearance?

4. What's one step you'll take today toward body acceptance?

Key Takeaways

🎭

Media Lies

90% of images are edited—don't compare your reality to their fiction.

💭

Reframe Thoughts

Challenge negative self-talk with compassion and logic.

💪

Function Over Form

Focus on what your body can do, not just how it looks.

🌟

Beyond Appearance

Your worth is defined by who you are, not how you look.

📱

Curate Feeds

Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate.

❤️

Self-Compassion

Treat yourself with the same kindness you show others.

Certificate of Completion

🏆

This certifies that

Participant

has successfully completed