By Elizabeth Jarrard, Dietetics Student, Sargent College

College is an important transitional time for students. On one hand, college presents a wonderful opportunity to cultivate food preferences and lifestyle practices to promote a lifetime of health and wellbeing. On the other hand, navigating in a sea of overwhelming food choices and constant social pressures is very challenging.

The siren song of “perfection” calls out to us from magazines, TV shows, billboard ads and websites. It is very easy to start comparing yourself to these images. Societal pressures coupled with the social pressures of college can create a “perfect storm” of increased vulnerability in developing poor body image.

Love is the foundation of healthy weight maintenance, weight loss or achieving new fitness goals. If you hate yourself or your body you will not want to treat it with the respect and love it deserves. This hatred can manifest itself in obsessive exercise, binge eating, disordered eating practices, low self esteem, depression, or restriction, or any combination of the above.

On the other hand, if you love something you will want to nourish it, respect it, help it to fulfill its greatest potential.

I have decided to block all fat, negative talk from my life. I challenge you to join me and bring some more self love and body appreciation into your life!

• Say It– Shout it from the rooftops, or whisper it to yourself in your bathroom mirror. “I am beautiful, I love me, My body is perfect just the way it is.”

• Write It– Write yourself a love letter. Graffiti it on your mirror. Make a list of things you love about yourself, then refer to it regularly, especially when you’re feeling particularly vulnerable.

Image Source

• Live It! Don’t put yourself or others down. Don’t let the negative comments rule your life, and always strive to accentuate the positive.

• Support Yourself! Find a friend and make a compliment challenge.  Commit to creating a positive body image for the both of you.

• Step Away From The Scale: If your weight needs to be monitored, leave that up to the doctors. Don’t let the number on the scale define you. How much you weigh should never affect your self-esteem or your sense of who you are.

• Take Some Time For You: Put yourself first. One a month get a massage, a manicure, or a facial. Pamper yourself to long hot baths by candlelight. Get together with a friend and give each other pedicures. Buy lotions that feel and smell good and treat yourself to some perfume or body mist. Take naps when you need to, just because you can!

• Spread the love! Tell your best friend that she is beautiful, just the way she is. Compliment a stranger. Check out Operation Beautiful for inspiration. Don’t tolerate criticism of your body or your friends. Stop Fat Talk in its tracks, maybe even start a Fat Talk Free Week!

More Great Resources to Build Positive Body Image:
The Me Movement– treat yourself right by taking time for you

Operation Beautiful -Making the world a better place, one post-it note at a time

Nourishing the Soul -give your soul some love

Guiltless- Improving your relationship with you and food.

Medicinal Marzipan Learning to Love Your Body One Day at a Time.

The Body Image Project -When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

The Seventeen Body Peace Blog (we hope other beauty/fashion magazines follow suit)

The Beauty Message Challenge -Have you told yourself you’re beautiful today?

If you are at BU,  join us tonight for a panel on Body Image . Stacey Zawacki, the Director of the Nutrition & Fitness Center will be speaking along with other nutrition and health experts! Also, be sure to check out the Love the Body You’re In article from BU Today.

What is one thing you love about yourself?

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