Just because someone has a size 6 shoe, it doesn't mean they're healthier than someone with a size 8 shoe. The same goes for the shape and size of our bodies! The truth is, health is possible at EVERY size.
Diet culture teaches us to value thinness over health, and we therefore become more critical of our size. It’s tough to shift perspective, but the more we can focus on how we feel vs. how we look, the more we can reject the diet mentality. We are more than our weight/shape/size!
Cultivating a positive body image takes time and effort. Body love can be an ambitious goal. Perhaps we first focus on body kindness and appreciating the things that your body can do WITHOUT requiring validation from the “outside”.
It’s about making peace with yourself and who you are, regardless of your size.
The next time you catch yourself commenting on your body shape/size, ask yourself if you would say the same thing to a friend.
What is HAES?
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an approach to eating behaviour change that aligns well with intuitive eating. It focuses on healthy behaviors, not weight loss. Some of these healthy behaviours include eating for wellbeing (but not restricting), physical activity, stress management, and more. HAES promotes a positive relationship with your body and emphasizes that we don’t need to change our weight, but we do need to work to not have discomfort with our weight and respect our bodies at the weight they are.
To learn more about HAES, check out the following link: https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/
Check out the resources linked here, and get curious! This is a process and change doesn’t happen overnight.
BEFORE YOU GO: This program is not a replacement for eating disorder treatment. If you suspect you have an eating disorder, don't hesitate to reach out to our Dietitian (see below), or any other trusted health professional for support and guidance.
Connect with us!
UBCO’s Registered Dietitian, is here to help!
And for nutrition tips, recipes, and more, visit the UBCO Food Services Nutrition Blog.
References
- Intuitive Eating Book: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, by Evelyn Tribole
- Let us Eat Cake, episode 29: https://letuseatcakepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-29-the-one-about-body-image
- https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/body-image-0
- https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0116p26.shtml
