Top Ways to Become More Body-Positive

Body positivity is a beautiful thing and something we all need to embrace. We are our own worse critics, looking in the mirror each day and tearing ourselves apart, making critical comments about our appearances and body parts that we can’t change and would never dream of saying to other people.

Many people blame the media and women’s magazines for affecting society’s perceptions of beauty and having an influence on how we think of ourselves.

This could be true; they say that the celebrities on the front cover don’t even recognise themselves sometimes after their skin and bodies have been manipulated so much they look like completely different people. Even Agent Carter actress, Hayley Atwell, has recently called out a magazine for a heavily photoshopped image of herself on the front cover.

So here’s how you can start becoming more body positive in a few easy steps:

First start to appreciate everything your body does

Your body is an incredible machine, working to keep you alive even while you rip it to pieces in front of the looking glass. Think about how you can run, dance, taste and smell – without your body you wouldn’t be able to experience these things.

Your body is breathing for you, digesting your food, repairing itself, growing new cells and pumping blood through your veins every single minute of the day. Appreciate everything your body is capable of and feel positive each day about the incredible things it does for you.

Forget about your appearance…for a moment

Okay, we don’t know how other people see us but the things we hate about our appearance are probably not even noticed by others. So, make a list instead about what you like about yourself not based on how you look. Are you kind? Do you regularly donate to charity?Do you make people laugh? Do people trust you? It will be hard at first but when you think back to interactions with others you should start coming up with lots of points.

Throw out the scales

Stop weighing yourself every morning. Your weight does not define you as a person and doesn’t always determine how fit or healthy you actually are.

Don’t take advice from magazines

Just because you don’t have a small waist doesn’t mean you can’t wear skater dresses and short legs won’t stop you from pulling on some denim shorts at the beach. All this ‘dressing for the body you have’ nonsense is what holds people back from embracing fashion, step out of your comfort zone and work whatever outfit takes your fancy.

Take some inspiration from these body positive people who don’t let their weight or looks stop them from wearing on-trend fashion (although there really needs to be a version of this which involves people of all shapes and sizes, not just plus size).

Do something nice for yourself,regularly

It could be as simple as making a fresh fruit smoothie every morning or taking up a gym class to improve your health. You should also always take aselfie if you like your make up that day and then share it with the world or your friends on Snapchat. Also, make time to go on a date, to your favourite place with a good book and enjoy some alone time with your favourite person – who should be you, by the way!

Be proud of yourself

It could be because you upped your weights in the gym or you received an award at work, if you praise yourself and feel confident in what you do, this will carry through into your perception of your body.

Surround yourself with positivity

If you have friends or family members who have been critical about you in the past, either about how you look or your life in general, it’s time to stop spending as much time around them. Instead, surround yourself with friends and family who love you for who you are – because no matter what you think you are an amazing, intelligent and beautiful person!

Finally, enjoy this great cover of Meghan Trainor’s All About that Bass, which is actually much more body positive than the original.