Psychologist's New Book Reframes How We Think About Our Bodies

Dr. Rachel Goldman wants you to know that hating your body won't help you change it. The clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University just released a new book that flips the script on body image at a time when GLP-1 medications, AI filters, and endless social media comparisons are reshaping how we see ourselves.

Her central message is simple but powerful: body image has nothing to do with how your body looks. It's about how you think and feel about your body.

Goldman explains that we aren't born with a fixed level of self-esteem or body confidence. These feelings shift throughout our lives based on the messages we absorb from society, often amplified by diet culture starting in childhood. We internalize these messages and create stories about ourselves that shape how we move through the world.

The scale is a perfect example. When you step on it, that number immediately dictates how your day will go. But Goldman asks: what if you took back control?

Her advice starts with a pause. Before weighing yourself, ask how you feel in your body right now. This simple question helps separate the number from the feeling, reminding you that the scale doesn't determine your self-worth.

The same applies to mirrors. Ever notice how you can look the same but feel completely different about what you see? That's because your perception changes based on your mood, stress level, or what happened earlier that day. Your body didn't change. Your lens did.

Why This Inspires

Goldman's approach offers a refreshing alternative to the shame-based motivation that dominates diet culture. Negative self-talk doesn't create change. It just makes us feel worse, creating a cycle where our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors keep us stuck.

Instead, she encourages adopting a growth mindset that allows for small, consistent tweaks. Real confidence comes from noticing how you speak to yourself and challenging the stories you've internalized. You can question those narratives, rewrite them, and start seeing yourself through a clearer lens.

The first step is simply noticing how you view and talk about your body. Because here's the truth: you are listening to every word you say to yourself.

In a world that constantly tells us we're not enough, Goldman's message offers a gentler path forward.