Hello, what kind of feelings do the following phrases release in you?
You are fat?
Are you pregnant?
Look at your chubby cheek?
What size of cloth do you wear now?
Look at your tummy, when are you going to do something about it?
Have you started going to the gym now?
Are you adding weight?
That dress looks very tight on you? What is happening?
At your age, you should not be wearing this size?
Have you seen her lately- her body looks takeaway?
All of the above are subtle ways people are attacked for their body shape and size. These comments have thrown some into pits of emotional struggle because they have allowed it to eat into the depths of their identity. It is time to come out.
A lot of people struggle with body acceptance due to societal expectations of body shape and size. Some cannot undress in unfamiliar places for fear of body judgment. We have been so programmed that people’s health status is judged by their body size. It is so easy to overlook a size 8 or 10 with having health issues and give more attention to a size 14 and above.
Body acceptance in a healthy way is one of the keys to living a well-balanced life. Your activity on earth stops the day your body stops functioning. There is no uniformity of body shape and size. Accepting this truth and learning to take care of yourself is a path everyone must travel on. So how do I like myself?
- Accept your body shape and size. If you must lose weight, do it for the right reasons and not for people to like or accept you.
- Dress to fit your body shape
- Identify colours that suit your shape and skin type
- Learn healthy tips that will enhance your beauty
- Look after yourself by exercising regularly and eating well nutritious meals. Avoid yo-yo dieting.
- Speak positively over and about yourself
- Extend the same grace to others – do not joke about anybody’s body shape and size.
