“When you are balanced and when you listen and attend to the needs of your body, mind, and spirit, your natural beauty comes out.”
Christy Turlington
Do you appreciate your own body? I saw this (unretrouched, as requested by Jameela Jamil) editorial of Jameela Jamil and started thinking about how we treat our bodies. She is a vocal advocate of body positivity. While she of course had an enviable figure, she wants us all to appreciate our own bodies and not disparage those with different body types. Body positivity is a growing movement that has really started taken off recently.
We have always been shown what ideal bodies should look like. They were first captured by artists from centuries ago with fuller and robust body shapes signifying one’s wealth and abundance. In more recent years, the more extreme waif silhouette became en vogue. These shapes still walk down the runways and dominate brand campaigns. But people have slowly started to realize that attaining a certain clothing size is simply not realistic for their body type. I have always had a narrow and small frame and have always been on the skinnier side. But I longed to have straighter legs (not possible of course) and bigger boobs of the models I saw in swimsuit spreads. While I could have chosen cosmetic surgery, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
But I did just start to appreciate my body. I could still wear certain clothing well. I was also strong in certain ways (ahem, not as much anymore). In addition, I felt so much more comfortable not only with my body, but with my energy and stress levels when I was exercising regularly. Two kids later, I’ve just become so exhausted and dropped those regular workouts. I’m now vowing to at least get back to Pilates classes. I’m tired of feeling deflated at my stomach (partially due to diastasis recti) and want to really be my healthiest self. Body positivity is different for every person but should definitely focus on someone on their healthiest version of herself. Once I start on the regular fitness path again, I really think my mental and emotional well being will also be in much better positions.
So here’s to healthy and beautiful bodies!
Have a lovely week!
I’ve always loved Jameela, her confidence and positive impact. Health and happiness is far more important than trying to look like others. Wishing you all the best with your health journey.
I love Jameela and follow her on twitter – her attitude and words are sometimes just what you need on a bad day! I have pretty bad diastasis recti (the physio at the hospital said it was the worst she had seen in her 12 years there, haha!) and I’ve been trying to do the exercises to fix it but I’m too tired at the end of most days after looking after the kids. I know I’ll have more time when they are bigger, haha!
don’t be too hard on yourself, find time when you can for your pilattes and remember your body has been through a lot! You will get back into a routine with your exercise soon I’m sure 🙂
Hope your week is going well 🙂 It’s colder again here, back to feeling like winter after our summer-like heatwave last week!
http://awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com.au
I really admire Jameela Jamil for how she has used her position to promote body positvity. and inclusivity. I’m also a fan of how she calls out celebrities for promoting unhealthy products just for a quick buck. I”m quite okay with my body. After being seriously ill, health is more important to me. I’m also blessed to be married to someone who tells me I’m beautiful every day.