Today I signed up for Student Bodies©, an eight week program sponsored by the Towson University Counseling Center to help women challenge negative influences on body image and to develop a healthy mindset about diet and exercise.
According to the TU Counseling Center, the goal of Student Bodies© is “to help women develop healthy eating and exercise skills, challenge the belief that thinness equals happiness, and learn to accept and appreciate their bodies.”
During enrollment in the program, participants are required to complete short reading assignments, maintain a body image journal, and share ideas on a group discussion board. Anonymous participation is optional. Reading material and discussion board topics will focus on themes of body image, the media, nutrition, fitness, and wellness.
Student Bodies© was developed by researchers at Stanford University, and studies have shown that the program is effective in “helping women learn healthier weight management strategies, experience less body image dissatisfaction, and reduce risk for developing eating disorders.”
I’m really looking forward to the program on a personal level because as someone who struggled with eating disorders in my past, I think I’ll gain a lot from the shared knowledge of the Counseling Center staff and from the insight of my group members. Keep checking back for periodic updates of my experience in the Student Bodies© program.
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