Body Positivity: How to Love Yourself at any Size

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who put on undesired pounds since the start of the pandemic, you may be all too familiar with how hard it can be to accept your new look. Loss of confidence, changes in health status, and decreased self-esteem are just a few of the side effects that can accompany increased body mass. And weight loss barriers like lack of support, exercise, and information are amplified by certain COVID restraints. So, while many of us face the heightened difficulty of losing weight, it may also benefit us to show ourselves love right where we are.

Body positivity can help. Rooted in the fat acceptance movement of the 1960s, the concept of body positivity has re-emerged many times since. At its core is the practice of appreciating your body despite flaws. This radical acceptance can increase confidence and self-love. Some experts even believe embracing body positivity can lead to improved health.

So, how do we start loving our bodies even if we feel disgusted by them? First, we give ourselves grace for the journey. Body positivity is about un-learning all the negative beliefs we’ve accepted as true about our bodies and replacing those thoughts with positive ones. It’s an ongoing commitment to prioritizing self-love and self-acceptance even when our “self” has drastically changed. Real body positivity does not stop us from achieving our health and fitness goals. Rather, it teaches us to love ourselves every step of the way.

Step 1: Thank your body for getting you this far.

Right now, while you’re able. Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. And tell your body, “Thank you.”

Step 2: Identify the why.

Experts agree that understanding the behaviors that contributed to weight gain can help prevent repeating those patterns in the future.

Step 3: Focus on the present.

Whether it’s positively affirming your gratitude for your body or reminding yourself that your goals won’t be achieved overnight, we must focus on what is true for us in the present – we are enough.

Step 4: Trust the process.

The key word here is – process. Replacing negative thoughts takes time. Learning to love yourself takes time. Getting healthier takes time. Trust that the time you spend will be well worth it.

Step 5: Aim to get healthy – not skinny.

It’s important to understand that being lean isn’t an accurate indicator of true health. Following society’s beauty standards can encourage unhealthy eating patterns and exercise routines. When we aim to get in shape, our focus should be building habits for better health; shifting our attention to creating better health can help us maintain weight loss goals.

Step 6: Run your own race.

With the seemingly unending presence of “perfect bodies” on our internet and TV screens, we must remind ourselves not to compete. Judging our bodies in comparison to others can decrease our sense of self worth and doesn’t help us achieve our goals.

Step 7: Show your body some love.

Treat your body to a nice long bath or a full massage. Focus on yourself as a whole being, not just what can be seen on the outside. You are more than a weight on a scale. You’re more than an index classification. You’re a divine creation who has persevered through some of the toughest times the world has seen. Treat yourself accordingly.

Read more about body positivity here and share your tips for increased body positivity below!