Body check is a behavior that can quickly spiral into an obsession. This post will explain what it is, why we do it, and how I’ve been able to stop. Once and for all!

I’ve spent years of my life constantly analyzing my body in the mirror throughout the day. I’d can’t count how many times I’ve lifted my shirt to look at my stomach, pinched the fat on my thighs, or looked at my caboose in every store window as I walked by in leggings.

I was doing a “body check” to see if my body had changed. Cause heaven forbid that happen! (lol jk, that’s B.S. bodies are meant to shift, adjust and change!)

What Is Body Checking?

Body checking, in essense, is when you “check” to see if your body is different. It can be done in so many different ways such as:

• Touching your body
• Looking at it in the mirror
• Weighing yourself
• Taking measurements
• Comparing yourself to others

And while this might seem like a super innocent thing to do, it’s actually a characteristic common in those with eating disorders and can worsen them. Now, I am totally not saying that in order to body check you have to be suffering from a full blown eating disorder. But it’s important to know that something as innocent as body checking could lead you down that road.

How To Stop The Body Checks

When it comes down to it, in order to stop the compulsion to body check you need to improve body image. You really need to separate your self-worth from your body. And I know this is SO hard to do! I have a post on 3 simple steps to improve body image that is a great place to start with doing that.

Here is what I recommend that you do each time you catch yourself body checking in order to stop for good:

Identify The Body Check

Okay, so this one is simple. You need to identify yourself doing it in the moment. When you find yourself standing in the bathroom looking at your caboose…FREEZE! Recognize the act in the moment.

Disengage In It

Turn around so you can’t stare at your butt, put your shirt down, look away from the shop window reflection, etc. Make the conscious decision to STOP. This can sometimes feel like pulling teeth, I’ll be honest with you. But don’t keep analyzing! This is where you start to retain that brain and say “I am making a choice to not engage in doing this.” It gets easier as time goes on, but it takes those first times to get there! And those can be tough, but you’re tougher.

Take A Breath & Re-Direct

Now, once you stop the act, and using a breathing technique. Take a deeeeeep breath. Visualize yourself inhaling positive blue vibes and exhaling negative red vibes.

Once you’ve done this say a positive mantra or affirmation like “The shape of my body does not define me” or “I am more than a body”. You can use whatever you like! Search for some on Pinterest or you can take a look at my top 20 intuitive eating affirmations here.

Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Now, girlfriend, after doing all of that it’s all about repetition! You’ve got to re-wire your brain away from compulsive body checking. This takes time and that continual effort. It’s going to feel like a lot of work and remembering to do it at first, but then it develops into a habit and your brain will go towards those positive vibes & affirmations automatically.

Body checking is something you CAN stop doing. I have the utmost faith in you! Now, it’s time for you to have the faith in yourself and to start implementing those 3 steps.

Leave a comment below with what mantra or affirmation you’d use. I love hearing all of your ideas and you just might get a new idea or two!

Happy food rule breaking!

XOXO

-Colleen

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