Invitation to Participate in the Body Project

The Body Project is a peer-led interactive workshop that challenges unrealistic image expectations and promotes body acceptance activism at IU. During the workshop, participants talk about popular culture and media influences on society’s appearance ideals, body image and combating “fat-talk”. Research shows that participating in the Body Project workshops reduces body dissatisfaction, unhealthy dieting and eating disorder symptoms.

This program was first implemented with IU Greek women, but we’re now offering these trainings to all IU women. This great article can tell you more about our focus on body acceptance activism and our program’s efforts to challenge unrealistic appearance ideals while pursuing a healthy lifestyle. (You may have also seen our work during “Fat Talk Free Week” and “Celebrate EveryBODY Week”.)

Here’s what a few students said after attending the training:

“The Body Project was something I never thought would impact me so much. This program not only taught me how to educate women in my chapter here at IU, but it also taught me how to educate any woman that struggles with body image issues while also teaching me how to love myself more…This program can lift the confidence in any woman drastically. I think this program should be Campus Program of the year because this issue of body image is a lot bigger than what is perceived. The Body Project taught me many things about empowering women while also helping me learn how to empower myself.”               

“Attending the sessions last year as a new member transformed my perspective of my body.  Body image concerns constantly flooded my thoughts, just like most women, because of the expectations set.  The Body Project instills confidence and wipes body image insecurities by informing us on how the "Thin Ideal" is not attainable.  We are guided to take a step back and realize we need to forget these superficial standards and love our body for all of the amazing things it does for us.  The two-sessions of TBP inspired me to train to become a leader of the program...”

YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS:

1)     Attend our 10 hour training to become a peer leader for the Body Project so you can co-lead this workshop for other IU women – Nov. 12 & 13, 12-5pm both days.

2)     Attend our 4 hour workshop as a participant in order to change the way you feel about your own body! - November 12 and 13, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. both days.

Apply here by November 4, and we will contact all applicants by email by Nov. 7 to let you know if your application has been accepted.

We hope you will share this opportunity with members of FSA. Please contact me, Chris Meno, with any questions (cmeno@indiana.edu) or reach out at @BodyProjectIU (Twitter), @thebodyprojectIU (Instagram), and Indiana University Body Project (Facebook).