What Body Positivity Gets Wrong

Body positivity is a massive trend in our culture and the fitness industry. Brands in every industry are taking steps to include diverse types of bodies in their ads and campaigns rather than showing only one type of body. Despite its popularity, many people are unsure of what body positivity is and how it can coexist with fitness and health.

What is Body Positivity?

Body positivity refers to the idea that all people deserve to have a positive body image, regardless of what ideas society might have about the ideal shape, size, and appearance.

It started as a movement to empower people of all sizes, specifically fat individuals, to value themselves in a culture that only values thin bodies. It was created as a celebration of body shapes and types that have historically been shunned by mainstream media, and with the intention of fat liberation and acceptance. It had the goal of pushing society to be more accepting of different body types, particularly in tangible ways like making spaces accessible to all body types and pushing for fair treatment from the medical community. 

Critics say body positivity has gone too far and glorifies obesity. Proponents criticize it for the opposite reason, saying that it has drifted from the original intention of centering the most marginalized and fat bodies, and has just become a way for conventionally pretty women who happen to have stretch marks to center themselves. Regardless of its pros and cons, it has done a lot to push back against the common narrative that only thin people are beautiful or deserving of love, or that health and beauty has to look a certain way.

That being said, body positivity isn't perfect. So, what does it get right? And what does it get wrong? Is it possible to be body positive and still work out, follow a diet, or want to change your body in some way?

 What It Gets Right... And Wrong

With the rise and prominence of body positivity, there has also been a rise in people who are ashamed to say they want to lose weight or are on a diet, and an overall negative attitude towards those trying to change their bodies in some way. Many celebrities and public figures have gotten backlash for fat-shaming, or suggesting that it is unhealthy to be overweight. This has caused a general confusion among people want to be body positive while also working towards a healthier life. So let's go through a few common sentiments expressed by the body positive movement and break down what's true, and what's not.

1. "Size doesn't matter."

 What's true: Size doesn't matter in terms of your value. Even if you are "unhealthy" because of your weight-- or because of any other reason!-- that has that has no bearing on your worth as a person. You don't need to be healthy in order to be treated with respect and dignity. Health is not a requirement for fair and equal treatment in society. 

Also true: Size isn't meaningless. There is information you can gather about your body based on your size. It's data. It isn't the most important indicator of health or the most important thing about you. But being overweight for your specific body does have a proven connection to a wide variety of health issues, and it's relevant information in terms of your overall health.

2. "You can be healthy at any weight."

What's true: You do not have to be skinny in order to be healthy. Health is complicated, looks different on different people, and doesn't just come down to weight. Metrics like the BMI have been debunked for failing to consider different types of bodies and body composition. Flexibility, balance, strength, speed, power, and agility are all components of health that aren't necessarily connected to weight. Olympic power-lifters tend to be significantly "over-weight," but are exceptionally strong. You can absolutely have some components of health at any weight. 

Also true: It's hard to be healthy overall if you are carrying around too much excess weight. You can be strong but still have joint pain or heart issues. You can be flexible but still be diagnosed with fatty liver disease, or other weight-related diseases. Most people who are over-weight are not Olympic power-lifters or extremely athletic people. Most people in general-- overweight or not-- move too little and eat too much, which leads to a whole range of health problems. Saying that it is possible to be healthy at any weight by using the exception rather than the rule is not an honest comparison to make. There is no firm line in the sand or hard and fast rule, as every body is different. You absolutely do not have to be a size 2 to be considered healthy, and it's important to expand our idea of what health looks like. However there is a point at which too much weight becomes unhealthy for your body.

3. "You should not try to intentionally lose weight."

What's true: Wanting to lose weight leads many people to try drastic diets and extreme measures in order to do so. This type of weight loss is unsustainable and unhealthy, and should not be attempted.

Also true: The idea that wanting to lose weight is inherently bad is ridiculous. Losing weight is the healthy course of action for many people, just like weight maintenance or weight gain is the healthy course of action for others. It is entirely possible to intentionally lose weight in a sustainable way while healing your relationship with food and honoring your body. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want with their body, and no one owes anyone an explanation for why they want to lose weight.

4. "Counting calories or using a scale promotes a negative body image and relationship with food."

What's true: Obsessing over calories and the scale is unhealthy. The best way to have a healthy relationship with food is through flexible dieting that allows for the foods you love and isn't restrictive. The number on a scale fluctuates on a daily basis based on a variety of factors, and calorie counting and the scale should not consume you.

Also true: Calorie counting and the scale is simply data-- nothing more, nothing less. They can be useful tools on your fitness journey and provide you with valuable information. They can make weight loss simpler, give you feedback on your progress, and let you know what's working or not working. It is also useful for weight maintenance and weight gain, and counting calories can be useful for hitting nutrition targets like protein and vitamin intake. Counting calories and using the scale isn't inherently bad.

5. "You should love yourself as you are."

What's true: Self acceptance and self love is absolutely vital for mental health. You are valuable as a person and worthy of love and respect. Loving yourself is the best basis for any positive change in your life, not shame or judgement. 

Also true: You can love yourself and push yourself to be the best you can be. These aren't mutually exclusive things. Just like you can love your partner or your job and still want to work on certain things, you can love yourself and your body and still want to lose weight, get stronger, or get faster. The best change is the kind that is rooted in a love for yourself and your body and wanting the best for it.

6. "The fitness industry and diet culture is harmful."

What's true: Many people have been hurt, shamed, and judged by the fitness industry. Restrictive diets have led to an unhealthy relationship with food, and women and men of all ages struggle with eating disorders and obsessive exercise habits. 

Also true: Fitness and nutrition is important for health, well-being, and quality of life. While gym and diet culture have caused some people harm, that doesn't negate the importance of health. It is possible and necessary to workout and fuel your body well while avoiding the negative parts of diet culture.

7. "You should always love how you look."

What's true: You only have one body, and you should love and value it regardless of its health or size. Beauty comes in different shapes and sizes, and you can love how you look at any size.

Also true: Social media and the body positivity movement can put pressure on you to feel that you should always feel good about your bodies regardless of its state of health. The truth is that the days of struggle are valid and you will not always feel comfortable and satisfied with yourself. And that's okay! That's simply being human. You don't have to love how you look every day in order to be doing things right. It's okay to feel neutral about your body, or have days you want to change it. 

Conclusion

Body positivity is an important movement that has done a lot to expand society's idea of health and beauty. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be body positive and want to change something about your body. Exercise and nutrition are important indicators of health and should be taken seriously, even in the context of body positivity. The best foundation for sustainable change is self love, and following a flexible nutrition plan and moving your body daily is a great expression of that.

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Fire + Voice helps people overcome fitness fads and restrictions in order to move well, feel good, and create a sustainable movement routine for life. Through personal training, yoga, and global retreats, you can live fit AND free.