Body neutral : a revolutionary guide to overcoming body image issues /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

"An incredible resource for those who are looking to find greater peace with their bodies in order to live a more empowered, joyful, and meaningful life." --Matt McGorry

A life-changing guide to reclaiming your relationship with your body--and yourself

Have you ever thought that if only you could change the way you looked, your life would be better? It's so easy to imagine that by changing the outside of our bodies, we'd feel better on the inside. But we all know that even if we could magically attain a so-called "perfect" body, our problems wouldn't actually be solved. That's because body image issues are never just about the body: they're always about something deeper inside.

As a longtime personal trainer and coach, Jessi Kneeland has seen hundreds of clients achieve their fitness goals but still feel trapped in a web of body hatred, anxiety, obsession, and dysmorphia. Searching for a solution, Kneeland set out on a quest to discover what it truly takes to help people understand, process, and heal their body image issues for good. They share their discoveries in Body Neutral, where you'll learn:

The power of "body neutrality"--the ability to accept and respect your body, even if it isn't the way you'd prefer it to be. Which of the four "body image avatars"--each of which represents a different root cause for body image issues--aligns with you and your relationship with your body: the self-objectifier, the high achiever, the outsider, or the runner. Actionable and unique methods to help you strip away the layers of false meaning, excess power, moral significance, and shame that have been preventing you from both connecting to and appreciating your body, and feeling truly worthy as a person.
There is a reason you're unhappy with your body, and Body Neutral will help you discover what that reason is and how to defuse its power, freeing you to enjoy a life of true confidence, security, and satisfaction.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Part 1 Body Neutrality
• Chapter 1 How I Got Here (3)
• Chapter 2 Body Positivity (14)
• Chapter 3 What Is Body Neutrality? (35)
• Chapter 4 The One Big, Crucial Lie (57)
• Chapter 5 Why Am I Lying to Myself? (65)
• Part II The Avatars
• Chapter 6 Meet the Body Image Avatars (75)
• Chapter 7 The Self-Assessment (84)
• Chapter 8 The Self-Objectifier (93)
• Chapter 9 The High Achiever (137)
• Chapter 10 The Outsider (169)
• Chapter 11 The Runner (204)
• Part III The Path to Body Neutrality
• Chapter 12 The Body Neutrality Blueprint (241)
• Chapter 13 Identifying Your Hidden Body Image Purpose (244)
• Chapter 14 Creating a Vision for a Body Neutral Future (261)
• Chapter 15 Creating a Body Neutrality Action Plan (267)
• Chapter 16 Putting It All Together (295)
• Chapter 17 Micro-Goals and Action Steps for Each Avatar (315)
• Chapter 18 But What about Marginalized Bodies? (356)
• Chapter 19 Body Neutrality Success (361)
• Acknowledgments (371)
• Appendix: Recommended Reading (373)
• Appendix: Frequently Asked Questions (377)
• Notes (405)
• Bibliography (419)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

Kneeland presents a fresh approach to body acceptance in their thought-provoking debut. Drawing on their experience as a personal trainer and body image coach, the author argues that the body positivity movement and its "all bellies are beautiful" slogans are flawed since they tie self-worth to appearance. Instead, Kneeland advocates for "body neutrality," which involves "stripping our bodies of all false... meaning," and is a more realistic goal for those unable to meet society's thin, white ideal. To achieve body neutrality, readers should identify what drives their body fixations (and associated diet and exercise behaviors)--such as winning external validation, or feeling a sense of psychological control over their life--and then brainstorm healthier coping mechanisms to address the root issue. Readers should also envision a future in which their emotional needs are met. Doing so, the author writes, will free readers from obsessing over appearance and allow them to ask themselves, for example "What would need to be different for to stop placing so much... power on body?" and then formulate micro-steps toward that goal. Kneeland outlines an inclusive attitude toward self-acceptance aimed at readers of all races and gender identities, and the advice is informed without getting preachy. Anyone hoping to repair a troubled relationship with their body should give this a look. (June)

Booklist Review

Many of us have love/hate relationships with our bodies. Former personal trainer and current life coach Kneeland, who identifies as queer and nonbinary, spent years trying to help clients make the changes they felt they needed to like their bodies. But something was still missing. With body neutrality, the emphasis is shifted away from the physical body. Instead, practitioners search for the underlying unmet needs and unresolved psychological issues that underlie their unhappiness with their bodies. Kneeland identifies four avatars or symbolic representations to promote healing. "The Self-Objectifier" focuses on gaining power, "The High Achiever" focuses on proving personal worth, "The Outsider" focuses on fitting in, and "The Runner" focuses on surviving. A self-assessment test helps readers zero in on the appropriate avatar, and the chapters that follow detail characteristics, explore a client's case as a guiding example, develop a blueprint for recovery, and set action steps. There's a lot here for readers who are serious about coming to terms with their body image and willing to do the work to make it happen.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Jessi Kneeland (they/them) is a coach, writer, and speaker dedicated to helping people overcome the suffering associated with body anxiety, insecurity, and negativity, and to improve their relationship with their bodies. After working as a personal trainer for a decade in New York City, Kneeland became an iPEC certified life coach and launched a coaching practice centered around the meaningful work of self-acceptance. Their innovative approach allows them to partner with clients individually and in groups to help them find body acceptance, a strong sense of self-worth, and true confidence. They are committed to the pursuit of body neutrality--a philosophy predicated on the idea that how we look is the least interesting and important thing about us. Their work has been featured in Women's Health, Shape, Pop Sugar, Refinery29, BuzzFeed, Hello Giggles , and more, and their TED talk has been viewed by over 50,000 people. They live in North Carolina with their partner and cat.