I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely love the dedication as someone who has struggled with body image from a young age and this book provided me with useful exercises I’ll still work on even though I’ve finished reading the book. I also found the BodySelf glossary helpful and the index will help me to flip back to what I need as I need it while I work in my self image more. I appreciated that the authors put a note at the beginning around the term ‘fat’ and how it will be used in this book as the term is often used by different people to think of different things and the potential privileges we may have around our bodies before we start. The blessings at the end of each chapter is a sweet touch, especially with how difficult and mentally taxing the work can be.

This was a good read, I liked the way it was written and the way it challenged my thinking.
Definitely a worthwhile read for those who need to read / hear it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Image Inside Out (publication day 10/31) by Deb Schachter MSW & Whitney Otto MA, PCC is a worthwhile addition to the self-help books that already exist on body image and healing in the current world we live in.

I was first impressed when the book began with a note on language--the use of the word "fat"--and the limitations of working on our internal body image when anti-fat bias is so pervasive as to be unnoticeable and weight stigma against people of a higher weight is the real problem.

"While we focus on the internal experience of “feeling fat,” we want to acknowledge that there are external realities facing people in larger bodies: biased medical care, seating that doesn’t accommodate all bodies, and cruel body commentary to name a few. We realize that no degree of internal body image work will alter the external world’s anti-fat bias. What we are hoping to do in this book is to create language and strategies for people in all bodies to feel that our bodies are a safe place to inhabit."

The authors have filled the book with their own stories of their own body image, and that of clients they've worked with, along with journaling exercises and inspiring quotes. They focus on curiosity as a means of uncovering the feelings that make us dissatisfied with our bodies, along with where those feelings may have come from in our pasts.

One aspect of this book I've not seen before, and I've been reading body image books for a very long time. . . since the early 1990s . . . is the relationship between clothing and body image, and the origins of dissatisfaction with what's in our closets, despite objectively having plenty of things to wear.

"Sometimes not knowing what to wear is really about not knowing how to show up to a difficult conversation, circumstance or event."

I highly recommend Body Image Inside Out for anyone who is tired of going down the spiral of feeling bad about the way they look. The authors have done a nice job of developing concrete strategies for improving the most important relationship that any of us have--the relationship with ourselves! While not explicitly fat-positive, they've done a good job at acknowledging the range of privilege people of different sizes have and the journaling exercises and strategies they describe can be used by people of any size.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free e-Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc! As someone who as always struggled with body image it’s nice to have a resource with exercises to combat it

"Body Image Inside Out" by Deb Schachter and Whitney Otto offers a refreshing and transformative take on body image by advocating an "inside out" approach. Instead of avoiding or ignoring body image struggles, the book encourages readers to engage in self-exploration, using their own perceptions as a pathway to healing. Schachter and Otto focus on empowering readers to decode negative thoughts and replace them with more compassionate and constructive narratives about their bodies.

The book is structured to guide readers through the complexities of body image, starting with an understanding of what it means and how it affects mental health. It then moves into identifying harmful thoughts and offers practical exercises aimed at promoting a healthier self-image. The final sections emphasize the importance of self-compassion as a key to lasting change, providing readers with actionable steps to improve their relationship with their bodies.

"Body Image Inside Out" is a valuable resource for anyone grappling with body image issues, from individuals seeking personal growth to mental health professionals and educators. The inclusive, body-positive perspective makes the book accessible to a wide audience, offering insights that promote healing, empowerment, and self-acceptance.

digital ARC was provided by Netgalley and Sheldon Press

I have to say, it’s a game-changer! The book tackles those familiar bad days when we feel off about our bodies, but instead of brushing it aside, it encourages us to really listen to those thoughts. I loved how it’s filled with relatable vignettes from real clients, making it super easy to connect with.

The journaling prompts and exercises are fantastic! They helped me shift my perspective and find ways to combat my own low body image issues. It's all about curiosity and compassion, and it genuinely offers a roadmap for building a stronger relationship with yourself. If you’re looking to flip the script on how you see your body, this book is definitely worth checking out!

Body Image Inside Out by Deb Schachter & Whitney Otto.

Based on their popular BodySelf Workshop series and highlighting a diverse spectrum of client stories and bodies, each chapter features teaching, journaling prompts and innovative exercises to personalize your journey in finding a kinder, more collaborative relationship with your body image.

Obviously not everyone can go to / participate in the classes of these two women , but reading their book helps you to understand the way they help others .

"Body Image Inside Out" is an insightful and inclusive book that tackles body image with a refreshing body-positive approach. It’s well-written, offering a thoughtful blend of tips, exercises, and reflective questions designed to help readers deeply explore their own body image. The book’s greatest strength is that it encourages readers to think critically and compassionately about their bodies. Whether you’re seeking to improve your self-esteem or simply want to better understand your body image, this book provides valuable tools and a supportive framework for personal growth.

Well-intentioned, but not quite as unique as advertised. Wordy and tiring to read. I wish there was more sensitivity to the reasons behind poor body image and less exercises to combat it.

Body Image Inside Out teaches you to become more skillful at listening, interpreting and responding to your body image thoughts, so that you can develop a more constructive and connected relationship with your body. Think of it like couples therapy for you and your body image.

Weaving together Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Attachment Theory together, this process teaches you how to:
- Understand and shift your habitual body image thoughts and behaviors.
- Decode what you really want from that "fix my body" plan.
- Use your jealousy as a teacher rather than a tormenter.
- Identify which relationships trigger your negative body image and how to respond differently.
- Prepare for bad body image days so that when they show up, you can resource and connect rather than hate and ignore.

Great book for anyone looking into deepen their body awareness and the connection between trauma, early childhood and their body image. It is chock full of journal prompts and exercises to help with this. I really enjoyed this book. It was a great reminder for me to turn to curiosity not condemnation when it comes to my own relationship with my body and my body image as well as the things that have happened to me in the past. Thank you Deb and Whitney!

A well-written, body positive, inclusive and reflective book about body image with tips, exercises and most importantly, a great goal in mind.

A fantastic account of body image from the inside of a person to the outside. The subject is often discussed as self-love and self-care, but the book explains its more than that. I enjoyed how the authors presented their research and examples. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

There is a lot of work behind the writing of this book. The science, the reflections, the exercises, everything is professional and has the capacity to help heal or at least improve body image issues. Five deserved stars.

At first, the title of this book caught my attention, and I wondered how the author came up with it. Reading the description, I was immediately swayed. This book reminds me that we all have different views and perspectives regarding our body image. It is a helpful book that makes you realize the importance of having a healthy view of yourself. It is normal to see ourselves in the mirror looking flawed and imperfect, but it is on us to think that way. It is we who should make ourselves feel perfect in our eyes. This book has great transitions, making the reader view and reflect on themselves. The exercise it gives will make the reader think deeply and rationally, which will eventually help them feel better about their body image. It helps a person like me, who feels bad looking in the mirror, to feel more worthy and appreciated for their looks.