When we dislike how we look, we may either “check” aspects of our appearance obsessively in the mirror, avoid looking at ourselves in the mirror, or both. When I (Tracy) was seven years old and on the swim team, I would stand in front of the mirror and check how much my upper thighs would “puff” out from under my bathing suit. Then, in my early twenties, I would avoid looking at all reflective surfaces, such as store windows and display cases. When I successfully avoided seeing my reflection, I was relieved momentarily, but then I felt even more distress when I realized how much I feared seeing my body – avoiding my reflection actually increased my initial distress. In fact, research shows that frequently checking or avoiding our appearance are both maladaptive in that they increase appearance dissatisfaction, shame, and guilt.