Why Positive Body Compliments Aren’t Always a Positive Thing by Briea Frestel, LCSW, CADC

It’s fair to say it’s almost second nature to have body judgments, either good or bad, in a culture that teaches women our main value and worthiness comes from the composition of our body.  Given this, it makes sense we give compliments to others about their bodies and feel validated when we receive them as well.  It seems innocent to celebrate one’s weight loss because we have been taught for so long that weight loss is a good thing.  However, we never really know what’s going on underneath the body changes.  Although the compliments may be in good nature, it can cause damage on the receiving end.