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How Having My Entire Body Painted in San Francisco Helped Me Make Peace with Myself

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In kindergarten, my mother helped me put together an elaborate project about butterflies. When my turn arrived to present to the class, I cowered behind my teacher, absolutely terrified of the dozens of pairs of eyes on me. This pattern continued…
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How Being Queer, Autistic, and Physically Disabled Shapes My Body Image

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As a teenager, I’d often be in a group with other girls when the subject of our bodies would come up. My friends traded anecdotes on which aspects of their body they loved least, and what was wrong with them. Because I didn’t chime in, most…
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Professional Ballerina Colleen Werner Wants to Create a Body-Positive Dance World

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Colleen Werner, a professional ballerina in New York City, first got involved with dance when she was only three years old. Today, after overcoming body hatred and an eating disorder, Werner hopes to inspire others to stand up to an industry…
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An Autistic Person’s Perspective on Building a Healthy Body Image After Trauma

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In the beginning of April, I participated in a NEDA chat about eating disorders, body image issues, and how they affect me as an autistic woman. After the chat, I had so many thoughts swirling around in my brain. The questions and answers brought…
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What Does the Research Tell Us About Social Media and Body Image?

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There’s been no lack of speculation about the effects of social media on body image and eating disorder recovery. On one hand, social media has fostered a diverse and vibrant body-positive and recovery community. On the other, social media…
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Fostering Body Positivity in Children

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I have been practicing psychotherapy for close to 18 years now. In this time, I’ve focused most of my work on the treatment of eating disorders. Having suffered with an eating disorder in high school, prevention, education, and treatment have…
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Dear KJ: Is it Possible to Love My Body at My Current Size?

"Dear KJ" is a monthly advice column by Dr. Kjerstin "KJ" Gruys, sociologist, author and body image activist. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology with a focus on the politics of appearance and is the author of Mirror Mirror Off the Wall: How I Learned…
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I’m Fat on the Inside

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Once a year, the grocery store checkout magazines come out with their “Half my Size!” issue, featuring people who have dropped a significant amount of weight. They stand in one leg of their old jeans or flex in trendy athletic wear, smiling…
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Dear Melody: How Do I Cope with Body Dysmorphia?

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“Monthly Matters with Melody” is a monthly advice column by Dr. Melody Moore, a clinical psychologist, yoga instructor and the founder of the Embody Love Movement Foundation. Her foundation is a non-profit whose mission is to empower girls…
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5 Inspirational Challenges That Will Actually Make You Feel Good About Yourself

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Fitness and fad diet challenges be damned! Here are five challenges that will actually make you feel good about who you are. 1. Every time you bash yourself, say something nice to yourself in return. Everyone has heard the saying,…