Here’s the deal about obsessing: it tricks us into thinking we’re doing something productive, but in reality, it often makes things worse. We often find ourselves obsessing over things because it’s a natural response to the uncertainties and anxieties of life. Our minds tend to fixate on details as a way to regain a sense of control or to seek solutions to complex problems. However, while obsession may offer temporary relief, it ultimately doesn’t help.

In fact, it often exacerbates the issue, creating a vicious cycle of stress and anxiety. The excessive mental energy poured into obsession distracts us from focusing on productive and meaningful actions. It’s like spinning our wheels in the mud; we expend a lot of energy but make no progress. In the end, obsession leaves us mentally drained and emotionally exhausted, without bringing us any closer to resolution or inner peace.

3 Mantras To Stop Body Obsession

If you’re ready to break free from the body size obsession, try these three game-changing mindset shifts instead.

1. Obsessing Over My Body Doesn’t Give Me the Life I Want:

Picture the highest-level version of yourself. Do they spend their days obsessing over every imperfection? Do they nitpick and spiral into anxiety over a meal that’s a little larger than usual? Probably not. In fact, obsession hinders your journey to becoming that person. So, remind yourself that dwelling on your body doesn’t bring you the life you desire; it’s holding you back from living it.

2. Obsessing Over My Body Doesn’t Change My Body:

Obsessing might make you feel like you’re taking action, but the truth is, it’s just wasted energy. All that mental and emotional turmoil doesn’t actually change anything about your body. So why not redirect that energy into something truly productive? Focus on self-improvement, building skills, or nurturing your passions instead of fixating on the size of your body.

3. Obsessing Over My Body Has Never Done Anything for Me:

Think back to all the times you’ve obsessed over your body. Did it ever result in significant, lasting change? Chances are, it didn’t. The past won’t be different from this moment; obsession won’t magically transform your body. What will make a difference is a shift in your mindset, understanding that you are more than your physical appearance, and giving yourself permission to stop obsessing.

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It’s time to break the chains of body obsession and embrace a more fulfilling, enriching life. You are more than the sum of your perceived flaws. Embrace self-love, body positivity, and the pursuit of a life that truly makes you happy.

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Must Read Books To Improve Body Image

Just so you know, I do review everything I recommend. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission.

The Body Is Not An Apology By Sonya Renee Taylor 

The Body Is Not an Apology offers radical self-love as the balm to heal the wounds inflicted by these violent systems. World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. As we awaken to our own indoctrinated body shame, we feel inspired to awaken others and to interrupt the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression against all bodies. When we act from this truth on a global scale, we usher in the transformative opportunity of radical self-love, which is the opportunity for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world–for us all.

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon

Advancing fat justice and changing prejudicial structures and attitudes will require work from all people. What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a crucial tool to create a tectonic shift in the way we see, talk about, and treat our bodies, fat and thin alike.

Body Talk by Katie Sturino

With Body Talk, an illustrated guide-meets-workbook, Sturino is here to help you stop obsessing about your body issues, focus on self-love, and free up space in your brain for creative and productive energy. Complete with empowering affirmations, relatable anecdotes, and actionable takeaways, as well as space to answer prompts and jot down feelings and inspirations, Body Talk encourages you to spend less time thinking about how you look and what you eat and more time discovering your inner fierceness.

More Than A Body by Lindsay and Lexie Kite

From media consumption to health and fitness to self-reflection and self-compassion, Lindsay and Lexie share powerful and practical advice that goes beyond “body positivity” to help readers develop body image resilience—all while cutting through the empty promises sold by media, advertisers, and the beauty and weight-loss industries. In the process, they show how facing your feelings of body shame or embarrassment can become a catalyst for personal growth.

The Body Of Truth by Harriet Brown 

The quest for health and wellness has never been more urgent, yet most of us continue to buy into fad diets and unattainable body ideals, unaware of the damage we’re doing to ourselves. Through interviews, research, and her own experience, Brown not only gives us the real story on weight, health, and beauty, but also offers concrete suggestions for how each of us can sort through the lies and misconceptions and make peace with and for ourselves.

Landwhale by Jes Baker

A deeply personal take, Landwhale is a glimpse at life as a fat woman today, but it’s also a reflection of the unforgiving ways our culture still treats fatness, all with Jes’s biting voice as the guide.