(This video is recorded from a Facebook LIVE session)
Body positivity is a movement founded by individuals fighting to prove that there is no superior body type in order to break down the socially ingrained fat-phobia and body shame prevalent in our culture (and diet culture) at large.
Top 10 diet culture/fitness industry MYTHS
1. YOUR BODY IS BROKEN
It needs to be fixed
2. YOU CAN’T TRUST YOUR BODY
Your body and its’ “needs” can’t be trusted and are even dangerous, and are at odds with your health and fitness.
3. YOU ARE NOT THE EXPERT
Everyone else knows more about your body than you do. You are not the expert. Don’t listen to your body.
4. FAT IS BAD
You should be fat – fat phobia. You should always be trying to lose weight.
5. THERE IS A PERFECT SIZE
Being thinner makes you more loveable.
6. ALL YOU NEED IS WILLPOWER
If you just try harder “be stronger than your excuses.” “The only bad workout is the one you didn’t do” “stop being jealous of her body and do something about yours”
7. MORE EXERCISE IS BETTER/LESS FOOD
When your body says no keep going. No pain no gain. Calories in/ burn calories “today I will love myself enough to exercise” “It’s the days when your body aches, the desire is low, you feel tired and you feel weak…those are the days when champions train.”
8. NUMBERS TRUMP ALL
The only results that matter are the number on the scale, or the size of your pants.
9. SELF SHAMING IS FUNNY
Shaming your body is funny “when the bikini pics start flooding my feed, I have to remind myself I have a good personality.”
10. THERE ARE GOOD & BAD FOODS
Making bad food decisions makes you a bad person… “Skip dinner wake up thinner” “Don’t listen to your inner fatty”
This is something we’re all struggling with. The fashion, diet, and fitness industry have created an epidemic of body shame. If we’re constantly hating our bodies it prevents us from truly living in our present bodies no matter the size. The conversation needs to change to one of health, body love + acceptance, and honoring your body’s needs.
Every size is worth loving, nourishing, and tenderness.
