As a woman who has struggled with body issues most of my life and has tried every whacky weight loss idea in the book, finding the Be Body Positive Model was life-changing for me. Fully accepting and loving myself as I am and being able to quiet my inner critical voice has given me so much happiness and freedom. I knew I wanted to make this an integral part of my practice and empower others to break free from the self-recrimination and cycle of negative self-talk and low self-esteem, so I became Body Positive Psychology certified. I base my Body Positive approach off of the Be Body Positive and Health At Every Size® Models.

 

 

THE BE BODY POSITIVE MODEL

The Be Body Positive Model is comprised of five core Competencies (Reclaim Health, Practice Intuitive Self-Care, Cultivate Self-Love, Declare Your Own Authentic Beauty, Create Community). These are fundamental skills we can practice on a daily basis to live peacefully and healthfully in our bodies. When we become proficient—competent—at using these skills, we are able to care for our whole selves from a place of self-love and appreciation, which allows us to act on our purpose and life goals.

 

Health, as defined in our model, recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, psychological, and emotional needs in human beings. We honor the experience and authority of the individual as the primary path to positive change. Rather than dictating a prescriptive set of rules to follow, we empower people with practical tools, inspiration, and support to find their own way to lasting good health and greater happiness. This approach makes it possible to reach a widely diverse group of people.

 

Negative body image is linked to poor overall life quality. It also leads to poor self-care, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors (e.g., cutting, suicide), substance abuse, weight cycling, and relationship violence. We are especially concerned about these harmful behaviors in teens and young adults, which is why we provide body-oriented social-emotional education. It is imperative to help young people create positive relationships with their physical selves in order to achieve their full potential.

 

Feedback indicates that the resources provided by our Be Body Positive Model significantly boost body image, as well as the ability to regulate eating, overcome depression and anxiety, and increase self-worth.·

 

For more information on the Be Body Positive Model: www.thebodypositive.org

 

 

THE HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE MODEL

Health at Every Size® is based on the simple premise that the best way to improve health is to honor your body. It supports people in adopting health habits for the sake of health and well-being (rather than weight control).

 

The Health At Every Size® Principles are:

​

1. Weight Inclusivity: Accept and respect the inherent diversity of body shapes and sizes and reject the idealizing or pathologizing of specific weights.

 

2. Health Enhancement: Support health policies that improve and equalize access to information and services, and personal practices that improve human well-being, including attention to individual physical, economic, social, spiritual, emotional, and other needs.

 

3. Respectful Care: Acknowledge our biases, and work to end weight discrimination, weight stigma, and weight bias. Provide information and services from an understanding that socio-economic status, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other identities impact weight stigma and support environments that address these inequities.

 

4. Eating for Well-being: Promote flexible, individualized eating based on hunger, satiety, nutritional needs, and pleasure, rather than any externally regulated eating plan focused on weight control.

 

5. Life-Enhancing Movement: Support physical activities that allow people of all sizes, abilities, and interests to engage in enjoyable movement, to the degree that they choose.

​

For more information on the Health At Every Size® Model: www.sizediversityandhealth.org