I got an email from NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) stating that November 1st is Body Acceptance Week. This includes ‘body positivity, body neutrality and body liberation for all.’ I thought it would be a great topic for a blog, as many people have difficulty with body acceptance. If you go to the website you can get all kinds of resources and educational materials.

Do you know of anyone who doesn’t complain about his or her body at some point in time? I’m guessing most of us think of being overweight, having cellulite, or not being muscular enough when we think about negative body image. Some don’t like their hair or facial features. Others may have some disfigurement or deformities.

There are many things about our bodies that we cannot change. When we are referring to weight or shape, genetics plays a large role. It is important to work on accepting the things we cannot change.

Research shows that body image dissatisfaction plays a large role in the development of an eating disorder. As a matter of fact, even after someone is well into their recovery, the negative body image thoughts are the most difficult to get rid of.

Three Types of Body Acceptance

Body positivity

This basically is referring to the thought, “I love my body.” It actually originated in the 1960’s and was designed by people whose body type was marginalized by society. These were the people who didn’t fit the mold for the ideal body type, and were in some way, shape, or form discriminated against.

When we are referring to body positivity we are also referring to having unconditional love for the body you have. It doesn’t matter if you like the way it looks or not.

We can’t change many things about our bodies. However, if you learn to love it for what it does for you, vs. what it looks like, you will begin to appreciate your body even more.

Which brings on to our next area, body neutrality.

Body neutrality and body acceptance

This is focusing on function vs. form. When we practice body neutrality we are talking about what our body does for us, not what it looks like.

It really is an amazing machine. Think of all the things it does for you. Most of us take our bodies for granted. However, it is at times when things aren’t working correctly (i.e. you are hurt or sick), when we forget to appreciate it for when it is working.

It means being neutral about our bodies without judgment. There is a great exercise in Cash’s Body Image Workbook where you look into the mirror and describe your body, as if you are doing so for an artist to draw. There is no room for negative talk, just objectivity. You may have to try it a few times to get the hang of it. Remember, no one is judging your body as critically as you are. Over time, you can learn to be more neutral about your body.

Body neutrality also includes loving yourself, no matter what your body looks like. People who have trouble with body acceptance may assume that people don’t like them because of the way they look. Perhaps they think that bad things happen to them because of the way they look. It means that even if you don’t like the way your body looks, that you can still love yourself. These are 2 separate areas.

It is also important to recognize that you might not love your body and you may never love it. The ideals that you have set into place may not be possible.

Body liberation

Body liberation refers to recognizing that you are so much more than your body. It allows for acceptance and inclusivity no matter what size, shape or color the body is. Also included is freeing yourself from ‘systems of oppression’: which encompasses weight stigma, discrimination based on size and creating an area that is safe for all shapes and sizes.

This allows you to separate your own self worth from the way you look.

I know this body acceptance information is all easier said than done. This is just to bring to your attention some systems that discriminate about people’s bodies and how hard people are on themselves for the way they look. Over time it does get easier to accept the way you look and not worry about what others think. Also remember that you didn’t get here overnight so you won’t change overnight.

If body acceptance is something you struggle with, please give me a call at 713-304-6554 and we can come up with a plan to help you feel better about yourself.

Take care,

Debbie