20 Quotes to Spark Body Confidence

We each have our own complicated relationship with our body. It could be how we were raised to think about our bodies or the types of bodies that we see over and over again on social media and TV, but developing a healthy sense of body positivity is something that takes determination to really feel. 

 

One way to do this is to turn to words of wisdom from people who have struggled with and persevered to finally achieve comfortability in their own skin. 

 

 

 

So we’ve rounded up a collection of quotes from psychiatrists to poets and everyone in between to inspire you to love your body a little more. Check them out below!

 

 

1. “Say goodbye to your inner critic, and take this pledge to be kinder to yourself and others.” — Oprah Winfrey, Host & philanthropist 

 

2. “And I said to my body softly, ‘I want to be your friend.’ It took a long breath and replied, ‘I have been waiting my whole life for this.’” — Nayyirah Waheed, Poet, Salt 

 

3. “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” — Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Psychiatrist 

 

4. “You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise Hay, Author 

 

5. “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” — Thich Nhat Hanh, Monk & Poet 

 

6. “Don’t let your mind bully your body.” — June Tomaso Wood, Therapist 

 

7. “You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin. You can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.” — Jessica Ortner, Author 

 

8. "Since I don't look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that—to be different. But different is good.” — Serena Williams, Professional tennis player 

 

9. "There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.” — Maria Mitchell, Astronomer 

 

10. "Each individual woman's body demands to be accepted on its own terms" — Gloria Steinem, Journalist & Activist 

 

 

 

 

11. “I’ve learned that if you’re too skinny, they’ll say something about it. If you’re not skinny enough, they’ll say something about it. I just try to feel good in my own skin as much as I can.” — Jennifer Love Hewitt, Actress 

 

12. “I am allowed to look sexy, feel sexy, and be in love. I am worthy of all those things. And so are you.” — Mary Lambert, Singer 

 

13. “I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” — Emma Stone, Actress 

 

14. “Life is way too short to be focused on scales, weight and cellulite. If you can look in the mirror and know that you're a beautiful, loving, friendly person who's good to people, that'll ultimately make you shine on the outside.” Teresa Palmer, Actress 

 

15. “As a child, I never heard one woman say to me, ‘I love my body’. Not my mother, my elder sister, my best friend. No one woman has ever said, ‘I am so proud of my body.’ So I make sure to say it to my daughter because a positive physical outlook has to start at an early age.” — Kate Winslett, Actress 

 

16. “Even though it will never be flat again, my stomach’s still my favorite because it reminds me of my greatest achievement: my babies.” — Isla Fisher, Actress 

 

17. “This body is fierce, strong, and unapologetic” — Mirna Valerio, Author & runner 

 

18. “Being a healthy woman isn’t about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters — on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves.” — Michelle Obama, Activist & former First Lady 

 

19. “If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself. — Barbara De Angelis, Author & consultant 

 

20. “Finding balance as a mother means accepting your imperfections.” — Mary Organizes, Influencer 

 

 

We encourage you to print these quotes off, jot them down in a journal or write them down on post-it notes that you stick to a mirror to inspire confidence in yourself and your body. 

 

For more quotes on body positivity, check out Tommy John’s post with 40 quotes for both men and women. And remember, we’re all on this journey together so remember to share your tips and lessons with those you love, as well. 

I've already turned my favorite quote into a printable, which you can download here: 

 

Have a great weekend, 

Disclaimer: this post was written in partnership with Siege Media and Tommy John. Printables and images were supplied by them and as such are not owned by me.