Body positivity, body acceptance, Health at Every Size. These are all movements/ideologies that have been gaining traction in recent years. Each of these labels signifies a group of people that want to make a statement. This statement is that everyone in any body deserves to have a positive body image. Beauty is a social construct and the BMI chart was invented by a white man, a mathematician not a physician, in the 1830’s to measure white men’s bodies and proportions. It was never intended for medical use and is not applicable to other populations.

Furthermore, the premise of body positivity or acceptance is that you don’t have to love your body. There is no moral failing if you don’t love your physical body. Sometimes coming to a place of neutrality or acceptance is more attainable. Additionally, health over size is important, and there is a way to be healthy at any size, however your health is still not a measure of your worth. You are inherently worthy and you deserve the space that you take up in this world.

What are some things you are grateful to your body for? What does it let you do? Also, can you thank the parts of you that don’t hurt? Or the parts of you that let you connect with other people? If you have the ability, thank your eyes for letting you see beautiful things, or your ears for letting you hear your favorite song. It is okay to start small. Just start.