More Than A Body by Lexie Kite & Lindsay Kite (Summary)

People care way too much about looks, and this obsession messes up how we feel about ourselves.

We constantly worry about how others see us, which steals our happiness and freedom.

The authors want us to understand that our bodies are not just things for others to look at; they are powerful tools that allow us to experience life, love, and adventure.

This book is about changing our mindset and freeing ourselves from the endless worry about appearance.

Chapter 1: Rising with Body Image Resilience

Bad things like bullying or seeing “perfect” people on TV and social media can make us feel ashamed of our own bodies.

It makes us think we are not good enough.

But instead of just feeling bad or trying to change our looks to fit unrealistic standards, we need to become strong and learn how to bounce back.

The authors share real-life stories of people who turned tough situations into moments of personal growth.

They explain that the world is like a giant sea that tries to drown us in ideas of what we should look like—but we can learn to rise above these waves and be free.

One powerful idea the authors present is that difficult experiences can make us stronger, not just by surviving them, but by turning them into fuel for change.

When we take control of our own stories, we don’t just recover—we thrive.

This means using every setback as a chance to grow.

The authors ask us to imagine all the bad comments, hurtful media, and shameful feelings like waves in the sea, and remind us that we have the power to swim against those waves, to build our own sense of worth.

Resilience isn’t about pretending everything is fine, but about facing our challenges, learning from them, and refusing to let them define us.

It’s about finding out what makes us powerful even when the world tells us we’re not good enough.

Chapter 2: Critiquing and Creating Your Media Environment

Media surrounds us from a young age, filling our heads with images of how we “should” look.

We see celebrities, models, and influencers who look flawless, and we start to believe we need to look like that too to be worthy.

The problem is, these images aren’t real—they’re airbrushed, edited, and posed to look perfect.

The authors explain that we have the power to choose what we let into our minds.

We don’t have to keep watching or following things that make us feel bad about ourselves.

Instead, we can control our media environment by choosing what to see and hear.

The authors also talk about the importance of not just avoiding harmful content but actively picking media that inspires us.

Imagine your social media feed as a garden—you can fill it with weeds that make you feel ugly and not good enough, or you can fill it with flowers that lift you up and make you happy.

Following people who show real bodies, real lives, and who focus on what they do rather than just how they look can help us create a healthy, positive media space.

This makes us realize that we can admire people for their kindness, skills, or creativity, not just for their appearance.

They also emphasize how powerful it is to speak up.

When we see an ad or a post that makes us feel bad, we can call it out.

We can start conversations about what real beauty looks like, and we can support brands and creators who show real, diverse bodies.

By doing this, we are not just changing our own lives but helping others break free from unrealistic standards too.

Chapter 3: From Self-Objectification to Self-Actualization

When we constantly worry about how we look, it’s like we are living two lives—one where we do things and one where we watch ourselves from the outside, always judging.

This stops us from truly living in the moment and takes away our joy.

We become like actors in our own lives, always thinking about how others see us, rather than just experiencing life as it comes.

The key to happiness is to stop watching ourselves and start living fully.

The authors encourage us to focus on what our bodies can do—like running, playing, dancing, or hugging a loved one—rather than how they look.

By focusing on actions rather than appearances, we start to see our bodies as amazing instruments that let us do incredible things.

This helps us move from self-objectification, where we see ourselves only as bodies, to self-actualization, where we see ourselves as full human beings with talents, dreams, and passions.

The authors also introduce the idea of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is about being fully present in each moment without worrying about what others think.

It’s about enjoying a sunset, laughing with friends, or feeling the wind on your face without the voice in your head telling you how you look while doing it.

Mindfulness helps us reconnect with our bodies as a part of who we are, not just something we need to fix or perfect.

Being mindful allows us to truly enjoy our experiences rather than constantly worry about how others see us.

Chapter 4: From Divided to United 

Society often makes us compete against each other.

We’re told that only a few of us can be beautiful or successful, and this creates jealousy and divides us.

Instead of working together, we end up feeling like we have to outdo each other to be noticed.

The authors explain that this competition is just a trick that keeps us busy worrying about our looks, rather than supporting each other and building real strength.

True strength comes when women lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.

Imagine how powerful it would be if women celebrated each other’s successes instead of feeling jealous.

If someone else achieves something or looks amazing, it doesn’t take away from your own value.

There is enough beauty, success, and happiness for everyone.

The authors want us to understand that celebrating others actually makes us feel better about ourselves too.

When we realize that another person’s beauty or success doesn’t diminish our own, we can break the cycle of jealousy and start building true connections.

The chapter also highlights how important it is to build friendships based on things other than looks.

True friendship is about caring for each other’s happiness, sharing dreams, supporting one another through hard times, and celebrating successes.

These kinds of friendships help us grow and feel loved, not judged.

By working together and supporting each other, women can become a powerful force that changes the world—one that refuses to be limited by appearance-based standards.

Chapter 5: Reclaiming Health and Fitness for Yourself

Health isn’t about having the “perfect” body.

It’s not about being skinny or having a six-pack.

True health is about feeling good, being able to do the things you love, and taking care of your body in a way that makes you feel happy and strong.

The authors argue that the “fitspo” culture—where people show off their toned bodies and push extreme workouts—is not real health.

It makes people feel like they have to look a certain way to be worthy.

Real health should never feel like punishment.

The authors encourage us to reclaim fitness as something that makes us feel alive.

Instead of pushing ourselves to do workouts we hate just to lose weight, we should find ways to move that make us smile.

Maybe it’s dancing in your room, hiking with friends, playing a sport, or even just walking your dog.

Movement should be fun.

It should make you feel free, not tired or defeated.

The authors also talk about listening to your body—if you’re tired, rest.

If you’re hungry, eat.

Health is about balance, and it’s about knowing when to push yourself and when to be gentle with yourself.

They also touch on diet culture and how it has tricked so many people into thinking they need to eat less to be worthy.

Real nourishment is about giving your body what it needs—foods that make you feel good, that give you energy, and that you enjoy.

Eating should never be about guilt.

When we stop seeing food as the enemy and start seeing it as fuel, we start to build a healthier relationship with our bodies and our minds.

Chapter 6: A Resilient Reunion

The final chapter ties everything together.

The authors remind us that we don’t need to love how our bodies look every single day, but we should always appreciate what they do for us.

Your body lets you experience the world—it helps you hug the people you love, dance to your favorite song, run when you’re excited, and rest when you’re tired.

Your body is your partner in life, and it deserves kindness and respect.

Resilience is not something you achieve once and keep forever—it’s a lifelong process.

Some days, you might feel great about your body, and other days you might struggle.

That’s okay.

The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress.

The goal is to keep trying, to keep showing up for yourself, and to keep pushing away the pressure to be perfect.

The authors want us to build a lasting friendship with ourselves, one that helps us grow, forgives our mistakes, and celebrates our wins.

This chapter is about making peace with who we are.

It’s about seeing ourselves as more than bodies and treating ourselves with the compassion we would show a friend.

When we do this, we become unstoppable.

We become people who aren’t limited by their looks but who are defined by their actions, their kindness, and their strength.

The journey to positive body image is ongoing, but it is one worth taking because it leads us to a life where we feel truly free to be ourselves.