A closer look at Embracing Your Figure

Loving the skin you are in

Embracing Your Figure

Fat. Thick.  Curvy.  Full-Figured. Round. Fluffy.  Sturdy.  Thick. Healthy.  Rotund.  Fatshionista.  Plus Size.

Continuing on the thought about the conversation of plus size being a fad among the mainstream fashion scene, mockery, acceptance, or confusion, I had a thought.  No one can define us if we let them.  A fad they may want to call the coverage of plus size fashion, but one thing is for sure; our Fatshionable existence cannot be defined if we do not take ownership of what and how society defines us!

Ownership?

Yes.

Why?

Society’s perception of being a plus size woman depicts or attempts to paint a picture that all women over the size of 14 are lazy, depressed, unkempt, and are in need of saving.  We KNOW this not to be true!

While there are those who brave the challenge of these stereotypes, in order for any change to be had, change and acceptance must begin with you!

How?

Whatever goals, perceptions of yourself that you have, especially those that you want to change, understanding your beauty is the only way any change or acceptance will become a reality. Sure, we have a ways to go, and no, we cannot eradicate everyone’s ignorance to health, shape, and its misconceived correlation, but we can change the way we feel about ourselves.

Accepting your body, the shape of, and how you feel about it does take a little work, and thanks to Any-Body.org, they have fashioned a list of ten steps to begin to love you and your curves.

1.STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF

Scales are for fish, not people. Stop measuring how good you feel about yourself by what the scales tell you. Scales don’t know you as a person and they cannot tell you how to think or feel. Take the power away from the scales and try to take control of how you feel about your body and about yourself.

2.STOP TALKING CRITICALLY ABOUT YOUR BODY

Be a positive influence to other women/men and especially young people, by not talking about your weight and about how you dislike your body. You may sometimes feel uncomfortable about feeling ok about your body, when everyone else around you wants to change theirs. But every discussion we have about weight and body size leaves an impression on people around us. We are in danger of encouraging an unattainable quest for perfection if we continue to follow the rules laid out by the diet industry and media.

3.QUESTION THE MOTIVES OF THE DIET, COSMETIC AND FASHION INDUSTRIES

These industries make money by trying to determine the look which women (and increasingly men) feel under pressure to conform to. Fashion and cosmetics can be an enjoyable aspect of life, but is it worth trying to buy into the unrealistic ideals? Experiment with what suits you and your body, rather than being told what should do so.

4.VALUE YOUR MONEY

If you didn’t buy into unrealistic and destructive eating regimes and you spent your earnings more on what reflected the person you are, would you still spend your money on the same things and in the same way?

5. APPRECIATE YOUR BODY FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Rather than being preoccupied with body size and shape, learn to enjoy the marvel that is your body through movement, exercise, nourishment, health, comfort and pleasure, for a more sustaining sense of self-acceptance.

6. TRY TO EAT ACCORDING  TO  HUNGER

Instead of eating according to a set plan, respect and listen to the signals of your body which knows how much and what food it needs. When you are eating according to hunger most of the time, your body will adjust to the size you are meant to be.

7. THINK ABOUT THE QUALITIES YOU REALLY ADMIRE IN OTHER WOMEN

Think about the people you really like and admire. With these values you have, does it really matter whether these people conform to a mainstream depiction of size and shape?

8.CONSIDER HOW YOU DEAL WITH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

If you stop translating difficult emotions into a preoccupation with body and size, there’ll be more room and energy to focus on the real issues that make us happy or down at a particular time.

9. FOCUS ON THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF

Rather than obsess on what you don’t think is acceptable and are driven to change, ditch the idea of a perfect body. Aim for the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

10. BE A ROLE MODEL

It’s never easy to go against the grain. But there have always been females/males who took risks to grow and who have set new standards. Blaze a trail to liking and being who you really are, body and beyond.

Are you familiar with these ten steps? Where are you in this process? Are you wanting more information for you to embrace your curves? Make sure you visit Any-Body.org for more information about the societal effects of representation in today’s society.