Digging Deeper Into Comfort and Confidence in Body Image Healing with Jess Fry, LPC
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As the host of the Food Freedom Life Podcast, I've had the privilege of engaging in deeply insightful conversations with experts from various fields. In a recent episode, I sat down with Jess Fry, a Licensed Professional Counsellor, certified intuitive eating counsellor, and body image coach, to delve into the multifaceted topic of body image healing. Our discussion dove into the challenges faced by individuals across the body size spectrum, the impact of societal conditioning, and the transformative power of addressing our emotional and psychological needs.
In this episode
Jess' journey into body image therapy (00:04:19) Jess discusses her unexpected transition into body image therapy and coaching and the lack of education on body image and eating disorders in mental health training. She shares her struggles with body image from a young age and her realization of self-worth beyond appearance.
Body image healing for different body sizes (00:12:23) The differences in body image healing for individuals in larger bodies versus smaller bodies are discussed, focusing on societal influences and weight stigma. Brittany and Jess discuss the importance of understanding thin privilege and weight stigma in body image healing.
Navigating clothing sizes in body image healing (00:19:41) The conversation shifts to how to navigate concerns about clothing sizes during the body image healing process. Discussion on the fear of going up a clothing size and the societal pressure associated with clothing sizes.
Comfort and body size (00:22:49) Exploring the relationship between comfort, body size, and addressing physical discomfort through health-promoting behaviors.
Internal validation and confidence (00:27:17) Emphasizing the importance of seeking internal validation for confidence and detaching from external beauty standards. Linking body image distress to unmet needs, such as the need for acceptance, and recognizing the underlying emotions triggering body image concerns.
Embracing Body Confidence (00:46:40) Promoting body acceptance and confidence to live life without fear of body changes and acknowledging safety in one's body.
The Unspoken Challenges in Mental Health and Nutrition Education
Both Jess and I have encountered a glaring omission in our professional training: a lack of education on body image and eating disorders. This systemic issue in mental health and health professions has significant repercussions. For Jess, it was a client's struggle that mirrored her own, which propelled her to specialize in body image healing and intuitive eating. Similarly, my journey as a registered dietitian revealed the need for a more comprehensive approach to nutrition that includes the psychological aspects of eating and body image.
Understanding Fatphobia, Weight Stigma, and Thin Privilege
Our conversation took a turn towards the unique challenges faced by individuals in larger bodies. Jess opened up about her personal experiences, growing up in an environment where plus-size women were taught to view their bodies negatively. This internalization of societal messages equating larger bodies with undesirable traits led to self-hatred and a lack of confidence. We discussed how weight stigma and trauma compound the difficulties of body image healing for those in larger bodies, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and compassionate approach.
To truly navigate the body image healing journey, it's crucial to grasp concepts like fatphobia, weight stigma, and thin privilege. Recognizing one's privilege and using it to uplift others is a step towards dismantling systemic influences that perpetuate negative body image. We also touched on the universal impact of weight stigma, which can instill fear and anxiety about weight gain or changes in body size, regardless of one's current body.
The Emotional Weight of Clothing Sizes
A particularly resonant topic was the emotional significance we place on clothing sizes. Jess shared her struggle with the fear of needing larger sizes and the importance of decoupling self-worth from the numbers on clothing tags. We explored the arbitrary nature of sizing across brands and the necessity of finding comfort and confidence in clothes without attaching meaning to the size.
Peeling Back the Layers of Comfort
When discussing the concept of comfort, Jess emphasized the importance of distinguishing between emotional, physical, and social comfort. She advocated for addressing health-promoting behaviors that don't involve shrinking one's body, such as improving sleep, hydration, and stress management. This holistic approach to comfort can alleviate the pressure to conform to societal standards of body size.
The quest for confidence often leads us to seek external validation, but true confidence comes from within. Jess encouraged listeners to reflect on what brings them joy, what they value, and to prioritize internal validation over the ever-changing beauty standards. By focusing on our own identity and what matters to us, we can cultivate genuine confidence and body acceptance.
We acknowledged that body image distress is a natural part of the healing process and not an indication of regression. These moments are red flags signaling unmet emotional and psychological needs. By responding to these signals and fulfilling our needs, we can build trust and connection with our bodies.
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Until next time,
Britt
Meet the gal behind the post
Hey! I’m Brittany (but you can call me Britt) and I’m a food-loving Intuitive Eating Registered Dietitian here to free you from diet culture once and for all! Because you deserve peace with food, eating, and your body (yes, you, beautiful)!
