More than a Body

Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament

By: Lexie Kite, Lindsay Kite

Narrated by: Lexie Kite PhD, Lindsay Kite PhD

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

"An indispensable resource for women of all ages, this is a guide to help us better connect to ourselves, to value ourselves, to love ourselves, and ultimately, to be ourselves." (Chelsea Clinton)

Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good; it is knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks.

• How do you feel about your body?
• Have you ever stayed home from a social activity or other opportunity because of concern about how you looked?
• Have you ever passed judgment on someone because of how they looked or dressed?
• Have you ever had difficulty concentrating on a task because you were self-conscious about your appearance?

Our beauty-obsessed world perpetuates the idea that happiness, health, and ability to be loved are dependent on how we look, but authors Lindsay and Lexie Kite offer an alternative vision. With insights drawn from their extensive body image research, Lindsay and Lexie—PhDs and founders of the nonprofit Beauty Redefined (and also twin sisters!)—lay out an action plan that arms you with the skills you need to reconnect with your whole self and free yourself from the constraints of self-objectification.

From media consumption to health and fitness to self-reflection and self-compassion, Lindsay and Lexie share powerful and practical advice that goes beyond “body positivity” to help listeners develop body image resilience—all while cutting through the empty promises sold by media, advertisers, and the beauty and weight-loss industries. In the process, they show how facing your feelings of body shame or embarrassment can become a catalyst for personal growth.

©2021 More Than a Body, LLC (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Good Intentions; Questionable Message.

There were good points within this book, but overall I was more frustrated with the way that the authors essentially told us how to be “good feminists” and what we could or could not do to be deemed so. Their view on “objectification” is very narrow in that it assumes that many things that women do for self expression, artistic freedom, or part of their self care and anxiety relievers are simply things done for the male gaze and objectification. I do not wear make up for men or others. I wear makeup to express myself at whatever event I am going to or simply to take time to just be with myself. There are so many women who do the same. To assume that all women only do makeup to “feel pretty” is ignorant. I do my nails because I like having rainbows on my nails because they make me smile, not because men are attracted to colorful, long nails. This view is very one size fits all and while there were several points that I agreed with, I found myself frustrated over and over again with the judgement of how other women choose to present themselves. Especially when from what I can tell, the authors participate in some of the activities that the critique. It’s one thing to have a conversation about why we do the things we do and another to completely shut down what others choose to do because you personally deem them as “objectifying” without going any further than that.

Great message for all men

As a 49 year old male raising a son and a daughter, the education from this book is critical. For my son, and I, how do we feel about our own bodies and how do we respect all the girls and women in our life regarding their bodies. My son has mild cerebral palsy on right arm and leg from in utero stroke. He will need to appreciate his body for what it does and how he feels, as appearance will forever be different from societal “norm”

For my daughter, May she appreciate her body and the health and opportunities it provides without focusing on others or self objectification. May I be a role model for how a male respects women.

Important book. Thank you

Worth Buying!

I am careful to only buy books (rather than borrow them from the library) that are really worth it. This is one of them! Such a valuable and crucial message, and I can’t wait to listen again and again to glean more in my own journey towards body neutrality and self love.

I want everyone in my life to read this book

WOW! As someone with body dysmorphic disorder this book is LIFE CHANGING. I continue to relisten when I’m having bad body image days. I also can’t believe how often I find myself talking about the ideas talked about here with the people around me, even those with a more “standard” self image than I have. I’ve sent copies to my friends and family. Definitely recommend. There are parts of this book that are clearly VERY liberal. Some may find that annoying. I think it’s doable to overlook parts you don’t agree with and soak up the truths clearly laid out here.

A beautiful book EVERYONE needs to listen to or read

What a wonderful book. For those who have body issues and for those who don’t (which I’m very certain is very very few,) everyone needs to listen or read this book. The culture we live in today is obsessed with the body rather than our character. This mentality needs to change and this books helps know how to make this change. All bodies are amazing and can accomplish so much and I’m grateful for this reminder.

Powerful must read

This book is a must read. Over and over. It is powerful and important. Cried laughed and deeply thought over how I have objectified.

Life Changing

I recommend this book to everyone. There are so many paradigm shifting truths found here that after reading it, you will never be the same. This book could literally change the world for the better if society and culture could shift to a more holistic and healthy place. Listen to it, read it, gift it to the woman, and young women, (and men) you love!

So good

Great , well written & interesting book. Helped me see my body as an inspiring gift of industry and pleasure, not an object to fix.

Perfect blend of straightforward and thoughtful

Excellent, important book. Really wish the chapter on religion could have been skipped over, but otherwise I think a must read for everyone who lives in a body, or loves someone who does!

Masterpiece!

Should be mandatory reading for every girl/woman! This book is able to beautifully weave together how and why we need to push back hard against the false narrative that our value as women lies in the size and shape of our bodies. We can and should opt out of the social conditioning that raised us to believe we are ornaments for other’s viewing pleasure. Fu*k that!

mind-blowing

love this so much it just a must read for so many reasons 💖

Every person should read/listen to this book

This book is life changing. I'd already started my journey away from self-objectification towards body neutrality but this was just the nail in the coffin of my old views and beliefs. So much of the media wants us to feel bad about ourselves and our bodies so they can sell us stuff. Instead of spending money on the next big weight loss solution, do yourself a favour and get this book instead.

A Great Listen for EVERYONE

Really loved this audiobook. I wish everyone could open their minds to listen or read this book and get on with living their best life. I'm sure it will take some practice but I cant wait to feel like the child I used to be with nothing holding me back from doing the things I enjoy and being really truly present. Thank you Lexie and Lindsay for writing this book.

Good premise a bit repetitive

Best bit was re BMI limitations but I couldn’t find their references as strongly for it

A good idea but kept repeating the same thing.
Growing up as a female in the USA seems a bit scary