We cannot talk about a body positivity and wellness lifestyle without addressing mental health. Body image disturbance is a symptom of a deeper wound. Often, we hate our bodies because we feel out of control in our lives—our jobs, our relationships, our past trauma.
Therapy is a wellness tool. Journaling is a wellness tool. Saying "no" to a family dinner that triggers your anxiety is a wellness tool.
You cannot meditate your way out of feeling fat, just as you cannot run your way out of depression. But you can integrate body positivity into your healing: My body is not the problem. My body is the vessel in which I will solve the problem.
When you truly adopt a body positivity and wellness lifestyle, your metrics of success change.
You will know you have arrived when the scale breaks, and you don't rush to buy a new one. You will know you have arrived when a "bad" day of eating does not turn into a week-long binge. You will know you have arrived when you look at a candid photo a friend tagged you in, and your first thought isn't about your arms.
“You can’t be healthy at every size.”
Reply: “Health is not a moral obligation. But also, studies show people in larger bodies can have perfect blood work, and thin people can be metabolically unhealthy. Let’s focus on behaviors, not bodies.”
Stop weighing yourself daily. Instead, track: