What Does Body Positivity Mean To You?
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with images of glossy perfection on well-curated Instagram pages, it’s hard to be satisfied with how we look. If we’re not comparing our lives with those of celebrities, influencers, or even our friends, we’re trying to make ourselves appear more interesting and vibrant to remove those occasional feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. Everything we post becomes part of the image we’re trying to portray online. And while it can sometimes be fun to create a different life and persona for yourself on the internet, it can also lead to an increase in anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia and isolation, among other things.
Society has always pressured women to feel like they have to look, feel and be perfect at all times. The rise of social media has intensified those expectations as we’re constantly on our phones, being exposed to unrealistic beauty standards. This can be especially toxic for young girls who internalise these messages, and carry them through adulthood.
But with the bad does come some good. The last couple of years has seen the rise of the body positivity movement which advocates for the acceptance and normalisation of all body sizes, shapes and abilities. Women like Ashley Graham, Barbie Ferreira, Precious Lee, ThickLeeyonce and Harnaam Kaur have shown the world that beauty, power and femininity can come in bright and diverse forms. They’ve also been honest about the struggles to remain confident and empowered in a world which tells them they’re not worthy and valuable.
Being body positive doesn’t mean loving yourself every second of every day. Instead it encourages a kinder and gentler approach to yourself, and your so-called imperfections. It encourages women to reimagine standards of beauty to include those who have long been relegated to the margins of society. Looking like we “have it all” isn’t something we should strive for. We should rather make sure that we are good to ourselves, our bodies and our sisters around the world. Flaws and all.
Not quite.
Countering a bad diet with exercise is a common but wrong approach to overall fitness and wellness. Processed foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutrients, making them easier to consume but harder to burn off. As Jessica Spendlove, a sports dietician, said to the Huffington Post Australia, “[w]eight gain is caused by an increase in energy intake compared to output”. The article goes on to point out that to work off 260 calories from a chocolate bar, you’d have to swim laps for 30 minutes. So if you eat a bunch of fast food food for a week, you’d need to do loads of exercise to “compensate” − something unfeasible if you already have a busy lifestyle.
The best way to build muscle, tone up or lose weight is to combine a sensible exercise plan with good nutrition. This means avoiding a high intake of alcohol, sugar and fat, while including more vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds in your diet. Not only do these foods provide you with more energy, but your body processes them much better and faster.
Oh and be sure to take it easy on the stress! It has horrible effects on your body, and it can lead to other bad things like a lack of sleep or overeating.
According to The British Dietetic Association (BDA), a plant-based diet refers to “foods derived from plants, including vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds and fruits, with few or no animal products”. People who consume the occasional bit of fish are called pescatarians, while people who have a bit of poultry or meat are referred to as flexitarians or semi-vegetarians.
For this post, we’ll be focusing on vegans and vegetarians. Some studies suggest vegans and vegetarians are less likely to get certain forms of cancer than meat eaters, which has seen people champion these diets for being life-changing. But it’s important to keep in mind these studies are highly observational, meaning that either a small slice of the population was selected for them, there was no way of telling which part of their diet brought on the results, they might not have been smokers, or their risk for certain cancers might have been lower hereditarily.
If you do choose to go vegan or vegetarian, either permanently or temporarily, you should consult your GP, know what diseases to which you’re suspecible and keep tabs on your nutritional intake. As the website Heathline Network reports, vegans and vegetarians generally consume less omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamins D and B12. It’s important to take supplements so you can make up for any possible deficiencies and boost your immune system.