Lets start with what is the body positivity movement? It is a movement that works to promote healthy body image among all body types and sizes and works to discredit the belief that a person’s body size and health status are inherently correlated. The body positivity movement is incredibly important at this time in society while we have consistently shamed both men and women with larger bodies by saying they are lazy, not prioritizing their health, or don’t value fitness.  

The truth is, many people who would be considered obese and sometimes overweight often don’t get the healthcare they need because medical professionals blame a patient’s weight for causing every one of their problems. As a result, medical professionals can contribute to the problem when they assume a person’s poor health is a consequence of their weight when in fact it could be the opposite or have nothing to do with their weight. Rather than receiving the treatment they need, a person is often shamed and left without answers. 

It is no doubt that our society values thinness. There is a belief that thin is equal to health and that physical attributes deserve more attention than intelligence, creativity, and personal values. A person of any size can be healthy or unhealthy, and we have to remember that when talking to patients and clients. 

However, things seem to get complicated with the body positivity movement when we talk about weight loss. We cannot ignore the fact that excess body fat can result in poorer health and when combined with other comorbid conditions can have detrimental effects. So while health care providers need to consider every aspect of a person’s health when providing care, they also have to consider weight. The trick is, we cannot consider weight as the only predictor for health. 

So can you want to lose weight while also loving your body? Absolutely. Loving your body means loving it at all times, but also wanting to make sure it is healthy and comfortable. 

So how do we align healthy eating and weight loss with body positivity? 

We do it out of love for our bodies, not hate or shame.

Loving your body doesn’t mean that you are always happy with how you look. It means you care for it, you want it to be comfortable, and you want it to be healthy. Loving your body means wanting to protect it like you protect the people you care about it. Loving your body means giving it what it needs, including the nutrients that it needs. 

We have to stop making changes because we are angry or upset with the way we look. Honestly, if you are changing because you are angry with your body then there is a good chance you may never be happy with how you look, regardless of weight loss. 

We don’t talk about weight.

The most important part of healthy eating and exercise isn’t actually the weight loss. It’s the healthy eating and exercise. It’s the providing your body with the nutrition it needs to thrive and giving your body a chance to move, stretch, and provide relief not only physically but mentally. 

Let’s not make it all about weight loss, let’s make it about feeling good with how you eat and everything your body can do. 

We do things we enjoy.

If you hate eating broccoli and running stairs, then don’t eat broccoli or run stairs. Try a new vegetable every time you go to the store and look up fun recipes for cooking (what you end up liking might actually surprise you). Find an activity that you like whether its walking, dancing, cycling, or something else. Better yet, find people to do them with and make it a social activity. Having people around you with the same goals can make it easier to accomplish these goals and give you motivation when you need it. 

We add instead of take away.

Healthy eating isn’t about taking away everything that you like. It isn’t about taking away dessert or meals that you love. It is about adding something more nutrient dense once a day or once a meal. Nutrient dense foods are foods that provide more nutrition per a smaller amount of calories or a smaller amount of food. These are foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

One way of doing this is every time you plan a meal or sit down to eat, think what can I add to this meal that would give me the nutrition I need to fuel my body and feel good until my next meal? 

Body positivity is powerful and having a healthy relationship with your body and with food is important. Food is meant for nourishment, not deprivation. Love your body, take care of it, and enjoy everything you are able to do.