Hi it’s Glennis Winnett, CEO of Formulite here! In the second episode of my new podcast, I speak with Glenn Macintosh, a psychologist focusing on weight management, about body image and weight stigma. A large part of the work Glenn does with clients is related to body image, and building a relationship with your body. Like any relationship, what we say, feel and do depends on our perception of ourselves. Do we see ourselves as healthy or unhealthy?
Together, we discuss normative discontent – meaning that it is very normal and very common to have body image issues, regardless of your weight. Particularly with the oversaturation of insecurity-driven advertising campaigns, where we are sold products to make us feel better about perceived flaws orchestrated by the media.
Glenn explains that there’s a strong relationship between body image and eating habits, and that healthy eating will not necessarily improve our self-perception. He also discusses a struggle felt by many of his clients that after losing weight, their body image has still not improved to their desired level. Glenn suggests that there will always be an element of dissatisfaction, but this is why it’s important to set achievable health goals. We also delve into weight stigma and weight bias, and the subtle ways we see this in everyday life, including how we can actively prevent these biases in our own behaviour.
Listen as Glenn shares his three top tips for improving your body image: decluttering social media, not letting body image be a handbrake on having fun, and sharing your body image stories with others!
We hope you enjoy this episode of SHIFT IT, reach out to me via LinkedIn or on [email protected] if you have a successful weight loss story to share or if you would like to be a guest.
Useful links:
Glenn’s Blog: The 7 BEST body positive social media accounts to follow right now https://www.weightmanagementpsychology.com.au/7-best-body-positive-social-media-accounts-to-follow/
Glenn’s Bestselling Book: Thinsanity – 7 Steps to Transform Your Mindset and Say Goodbye to Dieting Forever https://glennmackintosh.com/thinsanity/Glenn’s Online Program: The Transformation Support Community https://programs.glennmackintosh.com/transformation-support-community (use code ‘TRANSFORM’ for 25% OFF – limited time only!)