Positive body image—that's the goal, right? Many people today struggle with their relationship to their body. In fact, it's estimated that 69–84% of women report dissatisfaction with their bodies. But let’s not forget men: 20–40% also report body image concerns, and that number may be even higher in reality.

Body image impacts everyone differently:

In the LGBTQ+ community, over 82% of individuals report wishing they could change something about their body.

Among athletes, studies show that 40% of female athletes and 20% of male athletes are dissatisfied with their bodies. Interestingly, these numbers can shift depending on whether athletes are evaluating their bodies within the context of their sport or outside of it.

So, why do so many people struggle with how they look? Because body image is much more than just liking or disliking your appearance. It’s about perception—how you feel about, see, think about, and behave toward your body.

What Is Positive Body Image?

If body image refers to how someone views their body, then positive body image means having a healthy, balanced, nonjudgmental, and compassionate relationship with your body. It includes appreciation, acceptance, and respect for your body—beyond just appearance.

Unlike the body positivity movement, which emphasizes finding gratitude and optimism about your appearance, positive body image also involves tolerating and accepting the days when you don’t feel great about your body. It allows room for discomfort without spiraling into shame or mistreatment.

The body neutrality movement supports those who find positivity out of reach. It encourages neutral language and thoughts like, "My body is neither good nor bad," or "My body helps me in many ways."

With positive body image, some days will be easier than others. But cultivating nonjudgmental acceptance allows those difficult emotions to pass without disrupting your ability to care for your body with respect and consistency.

Why Positive Body Image Matters

You mean we should just accept our bodies as they are?

Yes—but there's more to it than that.

Let’s return to how we behave toward our bodies. The more we accept the natural fluctuations in how we think and feel, the more consistently we’re able to treat our bodies with care.

Consistency is vital. When emotions run high or thoughts become critical, it’s easy to react with extreme behaviors—like starting a restrictive diet, overexercising, or taking weight loss medications. These reactions often create a feedback loop of further distress, leading to even more unhelpful behaviors.

But what if I lose weight and feel happier in my body?

That might be true in the short term—but will that sense of peace last? At Health in Tandem, we aim to help individuals build a body image that withstands change. We want you to feel resilient not only on the "good" days but also during the hard ones—especially when life circumstances affect your weight or appearance.

Life events such as aging, injury, pregnancy, illness, grief, or hormonal changes can all impact your body. Rather than being derailed by appearance-based distress during these times, we want you to be grounded in self-care and compassion.

When body image distress adds to the burden of a life transition, it can lead to harmful coping strategies like disordered eating, overexercising, increased self-criticism, and isolation. But these behaviors often work against your needs during transitions—times when what you actually need is connection, nourishment, gentleness, and rest.

How to Cultivate a Positive Body Image

There are many ways to work on improving body image. For starters, you might explore self-guided resources like podcasts or books. These are accessible, often free, and can be a powerful place to begin.

Recommended Podcasts:

Food Psych with Christy Harrison
Body Kindness with Rebecca Scritchfield
The Embody Podcast with Chloé Elgar

Recommended Books:

More Than a Body by Lindsay & Lexie Kite
Health at Every Size by Lindo Bacon
Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch
The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

If you’re ready to go deeper, individual therapy may be a great next step. Look for therapists who specialize in body image or eating disorders. A therapist who identifies as HAES-informed (Health at Every Size) will have training in working compassionately with people across all body sizes.

Group options like therapy groups, boot camps, or workshops are also widely available in the Chicago area. These can be more affordable than one-on-one therapy and offer the added benefit of peer support and shared experience.

Ultimately, there are many pathways toward body image healing. Some are free, others cost money. Some are self-directed, others are collaborative. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution (pun intended!)—so consider what feels right for you.

In the end, cultivating a positive body image isn’t about loving every inch of yourself all the time. It’s about creating a compassionate, respectful, and sustainable relationship with your body. It means showing up for yourself, even on the hard days, and knowing that your worth is not determined by your appearance.

Start small. Whether it’s listening to a podcast, reading a book that shifts your mindset, or beginning therapy, remember: change is possible.

Body image healing is not linear. With support, curiosity, and consistency, you can learn to relate to your body with more care and respect. At Health in Tandem, we believe your body deserves love—not just when you like how it looks, but always.