In honor of BEDA's Weight Stigma Awareness Week, I thought it would be a good idea to promote as much body positivity as I can this week.
Recently, however, I've been struggling with the whole "love your body" movement. The truth is, some days I just don't love the way my body looks. So, on the days when I don't "love my body" I feel guilty; like I'm doing something wrong when I'm obviously not.
I found this list of "better" body affirmations that I thought was perfect. The idea of becoming comfortable in my body and learning to accept the inevitable changes it will make throughout my life seems more realistic than developing a constant love affair with it. I'm not trying to bash the "love your body" campaign at all because I think it's wonderful. I really do. But for me, at this time in my recovery, I am in a place where acceptance needs to come before love.
10 BETTER BODY AFFIRMATIONS FOR YOUNG WOMEN1. Your body is in flux for the rest of your life. Think of your body as fluid instead of static — it’s always going to change. So get comfortable with those changes.
2. No one will love you or not love you because of your body. You are lovable because you’re you, not because your body looks a certain way.
3. The most intensely personal relationship you’ll ever have is with your body. It’s a lifelong relationship that’s well worth investing in and nurturing the same way you would with loved ones.
4. You don’t owe your body to anyone. Not sexually, not aesthetically. Your body is yours. Period.
5. What someone else says about your body says more about them than it does about you. Look past the actual snark to the person who’s saying it, because it’s only a reflection of what they think of themselves. That’s when you’ll see how little power their words have.
6. Your body is not a reflection of your character. It’s a physical home for the complex and wondrous and unique being that is you.
7. Take up as much space as you want. You don’t have to be small, or quiet, or docile, regardless of your physical size.
8. Everything you need to accept your body is already inside you. There’s no book, or diet, or workout routine or external affirmation that you need to feel good about your body right now.
9. Your body is a priority. It’s always trying to tell you things. Taking the time to listen to is of the utmost importance.
10. Wear whatever you want. Your body shape does not dictate your personal style, and fashion rules that say otherwise are wrong. Dress yourself in a way that makes you feel happy and confident and beautiful, because guess what? You are."
- Ami Angelowicz and Winona Dimeo-Ediger
I think these 10 "better" affirmations are a perfect way to start my week.
Happy Weight Stigma Awareness Week!
Progress.
I struggle so much on this. It does not mean that when I had less weight, I loved my body. But the smaller number made me feel better. Now, the number is not that small (it is still not that big yet), and I now struggle for both my look and the number. I understand that I look better, but then do I love my body in the way it is? I am not a young woman, and my body does not look the same it used to be, no matter what. It is true that the older we get, the more we need to look into something else besides our bodies. I am working on myself to believe that it is not an external thing to define me, it is inside.
ReplyDeleteIt's not an easy thing to do, is it? You made a really good point about how when we were at a lower weight, we didn't necessarily like our bodies anymore than we do now, we just felt "better." It is all about how we feel about ourselves on the inside. I'm working on this too. We can work on it together! :)
Deletep.s. a response to your email is coming today!
omg i LOVE this the affirmations are truly perfect. you should never feel guitly for feeling a certain way. i read i quote about that once. the rain doesn´t excuse for falling, and you shouldnt excuse for feeling. feelings just are. something like that.
ReplyDeleteI have struggeled a lot with body image last weekend so i kind of started emotional eating and gained even more weight. and then SUDDENLY out of nothing my body image was back to normal again and i felt ok. as you said acceptance before love.
i dont feel guilty for not liking my body, but i feel really hypocritical for wanting to lose weight again while trying to convince a friend struggeling with her own eating disorder that shes beautiful even if shes at a higher weight than usual.
xx
Yes, logically I know I shouldn't feel guilty for feeling a certain way, but I still do sometimes. Body image will always be a work in progress for me. I think it is for "normal" people though, too. Maybe I just think too much haha.
Deletemaybe we all do :/
DeleteI needed this today more than I might have ever needed it in my entire life. Thank you, Kelsi. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Chels. :)
Delete:) Love it Kelsi!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emily!
DeleteAmen!! Great list! There are many days that are harder to put them into practice, but remembering these things and keeping them close to our hearts will help. I also love thinking about all the things my body can do--carry my daughter, lug groceries, run, jump, leap, stretch, bend, dance, prepare meals, take care of my home, drive a car, hold a hand, make music, write...and none of those things are dependent on my body being one pound or another. It's easy for me to get caught up in the measurable things like size and numbers, but when I remember the less tangible but more important things...it's an ongoing attitude adjustment. Keep going! Mid-week blessings to you! --Alison
ReplyDeleteI definitely think remembering all of the amazing things our body can do is a huge affirmation! Thanks for the reminder! <3
Deletelove this <3
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
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