Body Positive Movement that Embraces Body Diversity, Wellness, Listening to Your Body, & Joy
Imagine waking up in the morning and feeling confident in your own skin. You look in the mirror and appreciate the body you have, no matter what shape or size it is. You put on athletic wear that makes you feel good, and you get to participate in your favorite way to move your body with strength and self-assurance (swimming, dancing, pilates, sports, etc). This is the goal of incorporating body positivity into movement. We want to promote self-love and acceptance by embracing body diversity, prioritizing wellness rather than weight, listening to your body, and finding joy in movement.
For too long, in order to participate in exercise, hiking, yoga, sports, etc. there has been a premium on thinness and equated it with performance and acceptance. This has led to an increase in body shaming / eating disorders / mental health issues AND decreased people’s desire to exercise - especially those who didn’t fit “the look”. Body positive movement seeks to change that narrative by promoting body diversity, inclusivity, and self-love. In this article, we'll explore four pillars of body positive movement and why they matter.
Body Diversity
Body diversity is the recognition that people come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities, and that there is no one "right" way to look or move. This means allowing bodies of all sizes, shapes, and abilities, without judgment or shame in the “exercise” space. And gives all bodies to take up space when it comes to sports, dance, swimming, pilates, hiking etc.
Even the clothing industry has started to recognize this importance, they are not only creating active wear for ALL body shapes and sizes but including all bodies in their marketing.
One of the most significant benefits of embracing body diversity is that it helps to break down harmful stereotypes and biases. When we see people of all shapes and sizes participating in sports, hiking, workout classes, etc. it becomes easier for all people to join in without judgment. It also helps to promote a more inclusive and accepting culture, where everyone allowed to play, regardless of their appearance or abilities.
Moreover, embracing body diversity in the “active culture” sphere can have a significant impact on our mental and emotional well-being. When we accept our bodies as they are, we can reduce negative self-talk, improve our confidence in our favorite activity, and cultivate a more positive body image overall.
Focusing on Wellness, Rather than Weight
Body positive movement emphasizes the importance of prioritizing physical and mental health without focusing on changing or transforming your body. This means that instead of going to the gym to shrink your body or focusing on body composition, the focus is on overall wellness and well-being.
One of the most significant benefits of focusing on wellness, rather than weight, is that it can lead to long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes. When we prioritize our health, we are more likely to choose activities that support our well-being, such as playing pickle ball with others, going outside to hike in the sun or experience the somatic benefits of swimming.
Focusing on wellness also promotes a more positive relationship exercise. Instead of seeing them as a means to an end (i.e. weight loss) or punishing ourselves at the gym because out body is the “wrong shape”, we can enjoy them for the intrinsic benefits they provide, such as pleasure, energy, and stress relief.
Listening to Your Body
The body positive movement encourages individuals to listen to how their body feels, avoiding overexertion, respecting their limitations, and focusing on progress, rather than perfection. This means tuning into our bodies' cues, such as fatigue, and pain, and responding accordingly.
One of the most significant benefits of listening to your body is that it can help prevent injury and burnout. When we push ourselves too hard, we risk overtraining, which can lead to injury or fatigue. By listening to our bodies and respecting our limits, we can prevent these negative outcomes and achieve our goals in a safe and sustainable way.
Listening to our bodies also promotes a more positive relationship with ourselves. When we learn to trust our bodies and honor their needs, we can cultivate a sense of self-compassion and self-care.
Joyful Movement
Body positivity in movement promotes the idea that exercise can be enjoyable and empowering, rather than a punishment for your body. This means finding ways to move your body that feel good, whether that's through dancing, hiking, yoga, or any other activity that brings you joy.
One of the most significant benefits of joyful movement is that it can help to improve our mental health and well-being. When we engage in activities that we enjoy, we release endorphins, which can boost our mood and reduce stress levels.
Joyful movement can also help to improve our physical health by promoting cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. When we find activities that we enjoy, we're more likely to engage in them regularly, which can lead to long-term health benefits.
Girl playing pickleball
The body positive movement is a powerful force for change, promoting self-love and acceptance by embracing body diversity, prioritizing wellness over weight, listening to your body, and finding joy in movement. By embracing these four pillars, we can cultivate a more positive relationship with our bodies and promote a more inclusive and accepting society. So let's celebrate our bodies, no matter what shape or size they are, and move through our lives with confidence and self-assurance.
Resources
It can be challenging to find body positive movement resources that promote moving your body for overall health and well being rather than weight loss or body transformation. Below are a few that we link at As You Are Nutrition, check them out!
Programs
-Joyn: Youtube channel with body inclusive movement classes
-Fat girls dance movement: Begin to form a connection with your body through dance
-No BS active: Subscription based app with movement for EVERY body
-Trans yoga teacher: Join Heart, activist and yoga instructor, in yoga and meditation classes
-Body Positive Barre: Meet Natalie a IBBFA Certified Barre Instructor providing online classes