Talking trash about our bodies has gotten so bad and so common that a few months ago Glamour reader and jeans saleswoman Gyasi Atkins had to write us to vent. "I finally started telling my customers that they are not allowed to use the word fat in my presence," wrote the 22-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, who has helped thousands of women find the right jeans. She got us thinking: What else do people with a front-row seat to women's body issues see? Atkins and seven experts who look at women all day, every day agree that we're way too hard on ourselves. They believe you can correct your body-image distortions without lying to yourself—and even look hotter in the process. Listen to their words of body wisdom.

"Your body doesn't deserve to be bashed!"

—Gyasi Atkins, Saks Fifth Avenue sales associate*

"Of the 100-plus women who walk into my department every day, almost all will ask me to help them find jeans to fit their fat' butt or big' thighs. Instead of letting them feel flawed, I try to convince them that hiding under oversize Mom jeans and baggy T-shirts is distorting what they look like and how they see themselves. I insist that they put on at least one pair that shows their butt so they can see how much more flattering a fitted silhouette is.

"I also don't feed into negative language. Terms like chunky, huge and gross don't belong in my store. It's partly selfish: I don't want to be influenced by their negativity. Besides, if someone came in and started beating up my customer, I would intervene. The same goes for verbal self-bashing. I like to think I'm breaking a cycle. Even a half hour of seeing your body in a positive light can help."

"When you focus on the body parts you love, your flaws' fade away."

*—Madame Athena Chang, portrait photographer *

"I shoot nudes, and looking at a roll of film frame by frame, I can literally see the moment when a subject has forgotten about what she considers her problem areas. She's stopped slouching, rounding her shoulders or even posing. To help her get to that point, I ask what she's most proud of—her arms, legs, breasts, whatever—and I shoot it. Then we look at those shots together and, more often than not, when she sees them, she comes up with other things she likes. Of course, you don't need to take nude photos to start feeling better. Look in the mirror and focus your eyes and thoughts on what you like. Do this once a day and you'll be amazed at how your flaws' become a tiny portion of your beautiful whole."

"Sometimes the people who love you the most can be the most judgmental about your appearance."

—Harriet Sedgwick, bridal gown consultant