Why It’s Important To Promote Body Positivity In Your Life
Let’s promote body positivity!
It’s Monday! Here’s to another glorious work week. My kids have off for Spring Break all week and I am preparing for chaos. #momlife. Today on CCG, I am writing an article on a subject that can be quite touchy. However, it’s an important conversation to be had. Sure, you may be thinking, what does this skinny chick know about body positivity? How dare she tell me how to be body positive. What advice can she even give on this topic? Read on to learn why it’s important to promote body positivity in your life.
Why It’s Important To Promote Body Positivity In Your Life
The insecurities and embarrassment over my body developed as early as 3rd grade. I remember “Johnny” didn’t like me because I was way too skinny and he liked “Jessica’s” body better. I was called stick figure, anorexic, bulimic, Olive Oil (that’s an old one) and various other names to describe my body by others. This went on daily for me all the way through high school. In middle school, I would wear bulky wool ballet legwarmers under my jeans to make my legs thicker. Changing in gym class always posed a problem and I had to get creative on how I would undress wearing them in front of those girls that called me names. I used to drink Ensure and chow down on Snickers bars in addition to my regular healthy eating in hopes it would add an inch or two to my boney body. At this same time, my scoliosis became very prominent and so my insecurities were taken to a completely new level with this added deformity. It’s something that I struggled with every single day.
Fast forward to adulthood, my scoliosis and the deformities associated with it grew worse and worse (especially after each pregnancy). I found myself using clothing as a way to camouflage the body that I had grown to hate. I became so insecure about my body that I wasn’t even comfortable undressing in front of my own husband. Isn’t that terrible? You can read more about this subject in my post, here. In that post, you will also see pictures of what I am talking about.
Once I had multiple surgeries, and lost 25 pounds in the process during my hospital stay, the only thing on my mind was staying alive and getting healthy again. A feat that has proven difficult on my journey but nevertheless, I continue to move forward from. Once the dust settled, I stared at myself in the mirror, looked over my various scars (the stomach scar is most unpleasant. I look as though I was gutted like a fish), and had a “come to Jesus” moment. I just made it through hell and back, relearned how to walk, and got past a plethora of obstacles. Finally, after all those years and all those times I hated my body, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt love and a sense of pride; scars, skinny body and all.
I won’t pretend to not have bad days. With the intestinal issues I am still currently going through, and will for life, I look 5 months pregnant by the time 5 o’clock hits. It can get depressing. Sometimes, I catch myself dwelling on that and I have to refocus on everything good in my life. I touched on this subject in this post, here.
Several months ago, I posted on Instagram a quote about body positivity. Without knowing my story or anything about me, a “biggish” blogger (over 100k followers) commented with, ” How would you know anything about body positivity? You can eat whatever you want. Give me a break.” She ended up deleting her comment a few minutes later, however, the damage was done. I saw it. So as I write this post, I immediately think of that and why it’s so important to not judge a book by it’s cover. Everyone is going through something. You are not superior to me and know more than me because of your weight. In essence, this blogger was promoting body positivity when she essentially was a hypocrite.
The message I am hoping to convey with this post is that learning how to love your body is imperative to your overall mental and physical health. It’s also equally important to lift those up around you and stick together when it comes to this body positive movement. Everyone is unique in their own way and has their own story to tell. Everyone looks different, talks different and that’s a beautiful thing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re skinny, overweight, have scars, have crooked teeth, a crooked spine! etc. We should be empowering women and not bringing them down. Now that I have children of my own, it’s important for Neil and I to raise them not only to be kind human beings, but to embrace their own beautiful selves even when others may tell you otherwise. Just do you and be proud of that. Celebrate yourself, your body and the peers around you who support that goal as well!
Have a fab week!
[outfit-details]
Dress | Kate Spade and ON SALE
Bag | Mansur Gavriel
Shoes | Chanel
[/outfit-details]
promote body positivity
About The Author
April
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•1 pack of store bought puff pastry
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•puff pastry cut into squares
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SAVE THIS RECIPE POST! It’s another #puffpastry #recipe for the win 🙌🏻 Check out this SUPER EASY appetizer that’s perfect for Holiday party or football game coming up! You really only need TWO INGREDIENTS!
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SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This festive #holidayappetizers is soooooo easy to make and so cute too! Take your Holiday party to the next level with this simple and fun brie recipe!
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Leah St. Denis | 26th Mar 19
Beautiful share, April!! 😭😍 I think when we are more accepting of ourselves it helps us to be less judgemental towards others as well. Thanks for sharing this wonderful message!
Kate| 26th Mar 19
We all need to practice a little body positivity. I am trying to stop saying bad things about my body so that when my little girl arrives this June, I won’t be teaching her to speak badly about her body. It is a cycle that we have to break!
Sheila Price| 26th Mar 19
Thank you for opening up about this subject and your struggles with it! This will help so many people.
Monika| 26th Mar 19
This is a great message April! One that most of us know but not everyone applies in their lives.
GlossyCover| 26th Mar 19
Body positivity is so important! We have to love ourselves first and foremost!
Jennifer| 27th Mar 19
Thank you for sharing your story with us!!! You are so brave!! I think you look gorgeous!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
victor| 27th Mar 19
Body positivity is so important! We have to love ourselves first and foremost!
Courtney Byers| 28th Mar 19
First off you look fabulous! I adore this look and that bag. These photos are fabulous. I love your message, April! I am so sorry that people are like this. I cannot believe that blogger said that. It’s soo important to not judge people as you said. People don’t realize how hurtful comments like that can be. You really never know what someone is going through. You’ve been through so much and are a strong and beautiful woman. Body positivity is so important and is something I will be making a point to teach our kids someday.
Brenda | 29th Mar 19
What a gorgeous dress!!! Im obsessed!
Lexie| 29th Mar 19
That dress is SUPER adorable! I am in love! And yes, it’s SO important. Cheers!!
Ritu Roy| 29th Mar 19
Yes, body positivity is very important! Thanks for sharing your story and encouraging us! Love your dress beautiful <3
Ashh| 31st Mar 19
Thanks for sharing your story April. You are a brave lady and beautiful inside out. Love your dress in this post.
Rachel Mertz | 1st Apr 19
This is THE CUTEST dress – and purse to boot! I want to live in your neighborhood – just look at that house! I agree – body positivity is something I struggle with daily. But, I find that when I am living a life of purpose and helping others I feel more fulfilled than if I were to ever have the perfect body.
Lu Abuzaid| 1st Apr 19
Thanks for sharing! I think it’s so important that we teach kids young to love themselves all shapes and sizes. It would’ve really helped with my self esteem growing up, i know that much. Beautiful dress btw!
Dana Rodriguez | 1st Apr 19
This is a great post and I just love this dress! Happy April! I love your posts!
Any Tong| 1st Apr 19
You are so gorgeous! Love this dress on you. Thank you for sharing the important message!
Melissa G| 1st Apr 19
Thank you for sharing your story! It is truely inspiring. And LOVE the outfit! 😍
Alina | 1st Apr 19
You are very encouraging especially for someone like me who’s always managed to have body issues! Love your dress and tote. IG: alinapicazo and already following on liketoknowit.
Angela Yang | 1st Apr 19
I love this post! Sometimes it’s so hard to see what others are struggling with when you’re not happy about your own body. Body positivity can combat that mindset.
Manda| 1st Apr 19
Thank you! Such an important message! I’ve struggled with “body image” for as long as I can remember & now that I have a impressionable daughter, it is 1000% more important for me to express love for my body!
Following on IG & LiketoKnowit already! @manda_bucc
athena graeme | 1st Apr 19
So true! 2 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS, which among the more attractive symptoms includes weight gain, adult acne, extra facial hair and infertility. Horray! It’s the tri-fecta with an extra kick in the ovaries to add insult! Pretty much everything NO woman ever wants all in one little package. It’s been super hard to deal with accepting that these are symptoms I cannot change and to look to the positives I still have. The adoption of our daughter taught me the skills I needed, how someone so young could be so wise is beyond me. But she just looks at me and says “Mommy, your hair is so pretty, I hope mine looks like that when I grow up.” And I just want to cry, because she only sees the beauty in people. It’s then I realize that maybe having Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome is a blessing because it gave me her.
Sean | 1st Apr 19
In complete agreement that no one should ever judge. I think that blogger was hasty in jumping to conclusions that you can eat whatever you want without consequences and moreover for posting it without knowing anything about you is uncalled for. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic and as always you look amazing and that dress…GORGEOUS!!!!!! Already a follower on both platforms – IG and liketoknow.it.
Meg | 1st Apr 19
Thank you for sharing this! I often compare myself to others and care way too much about what others think of me. I’ve been working on turning those thoughts off. Now that I’m expecting my first child, I want to embrace my body with all the changes it’s about to go through.
Lesly Figueroa | 1st Apr 19
This post makes me realized how bad I think abot myself and my low self esteem but also helps me to love my body the way it is and accept the things I can’t change.
Michelle Damon | 1st Apr 19
Love this! It took me years, but it’s am finally comfortable in my own skin!
Kelsey | 1st Apr 19
Love this. We are definitely our worst critics and I find it’s so easy to fall into the negative and forget that we need to love ourselves. I find this especially challenging in the season with little kids, but definitely something I’m working on!
Ronald Gagnon | 1st Apr 19
Thank you for this beautiful concept…I wish you could reach and teach the whole world
Gabrielle | 1st Apr 19
I agree with you completely. True body positivity is inclusive and supportive of EVERYONE regardless of size or shape. I am so sorry you’ve experienced negativity from people who are preaching the opposite.
Nicole Hanset | 1st Apr 19
This is such a good point. I’ve always been overweight, but had skinny friends and oddly had to defend them to people preaching body positivity. I’ve never understood why they thought it was acceptable to yell “eat a burger!” at skinny people, but that “eat a salad!” was bullying.
Anna Pry | 1st Apr 19
I have had a hard time being ok with my body, especially since I’m pregnant with our 6th child! It has helped me to remember that my body is doing the best it can right now and this time in my life wont last forever. love the pink!!
ae minx | 1st Apr 19
The world has become so negative, so I agree we need to practice some body positivist. Following on IG as well. Love these photos!
Rebecca W | 1st Apr 19
I think we all have flaws and can be our own worst critic. Don’t spend time stressing over things that don’t really matter and enjoy time with friends and family. I love this flowy pink dress!
Cassandra D | 2nd Apr 19
Thank you for sharing your story.
Fonda @ Savvy Southern Chic| 3rd Apr 19
Thanks for sharing! I think we all have insecurities regardless of our size and shape. Some people can be so cruel and thoughtless. Sorry you had to experience that.
Elizabeth W | 3rd Apr 19
What a beautiful dress!
Babette | 3rd Apr 19
Thank you for this!! I’m one of the worst when it comes to not loving my own body. However, I have really started to love myself now and work on what I want to change. Joined Weight Watchers and eating better. Loved this share!!
amybelle2001 | 5th Apr 19
The older I get, the more I realize that negative comments *usually* stem from insecurity. Thank you for sharing your struggles to accept your body.
alicia gordon | 4th Jun 19
I totally agree! I love this post!
Crystal | 4th Jun 19
Amazing read-I’m learning slowly to embrace my curvy body,the fact that I am a size 10 and that’s all ok,and that I can still be sexy and beautiful without being the antiquated,idealistic size of the days past.
I sent this over to my cousin as well,who is struggling quite badly right now.
I really appreciate this post. Thank you.x
Andrea Darst | 4th Jun 19
First, I love this dress! Secondly, I love this post! We need to be kinder, both to each other and ourselves, and to teach our daughters how to do the same! @adarst213 on IG
Megan Wilson | 5th Jun 19
Thank you so much for this! I too am a petite woman and have been through very similar negative experiences over my weight! I applaud all of your excellent, compassionate points!
Megan Wilson | 5th Jun 19
Wanted to add I’m @strongscorpio on Instagram! ☺️