Science taught us right from childhood that being overweight is bad for your health. Society however taught us that being overweight isn't only bad for your health but it is ugly, undesirable and indicates laziness and complacency. It is these addenda that society included that has formed the foundation of the background of low self-esteem and depression that pervades the plus sized community. It is an unfortunate turn of events because it strips beautiful human beings of their humanity.
Almost every plus size person you meet has encountered some form of harassment because of their weight either offline or online. A recent example is the gorgeous model, Iskra Lawrence who was subjected to vile comments and even death threats by internet trolls. Being the strong individual she is, she shrugged off the hateful comments and continues to thrive but many are not so strong. Some people have become depressed and even contemplated suicide because they believed hateful trolls who told them they were undesirable and ugly so when the body positive movement started by Connie Sobczak and Elizabeth Scott in 1996, it was a welcomed development.
The body positive movement has been brewing in Nigeria since the early 2000 and gaining more momentum as the years roll by. Deservingly so because most of us know at least one person who is/was depressed because he or she doesn't fit the "normal" body weight.
The Body Positive Movement is a movement that encourages people to adopt more forgiving and affirming attitudes towards their bodies, with the goal of improving overall health and well-being. Body positivity therefore allows people to accept their body for what it is and what is not and love it irrespective of whether it changes or not. To understand body positivity wholely, one must therefore understand the role body improvement plays in body positivity. A balance that allows the individual to love and accept his/her body and also accept the fact that it may not currently be at its healthiest form and aim for improvement.
Attaining this balance is not a walk in the park. Having struggled with weight at most points in my life I know how easy it is to find yourself at either poles of the spectrum, either loathing your body to the point of subjecting it to every form of weight loss method, healthy or not or not making conscious effort to take care of your body to avoid having avoidable health complications.
The bottom line is realizing that first of all, your body belongs to only you and you owe noone any explanation for how you look. Secondly, body positivity isn't being lackadaisical about your body. It is understanding your body's needs, and doing the best for it at all times. Don't take your body for granted. Take care of your body by exercising regularly, eating healthy and loving the sh*t out of it after all it is the only real home you've got. Dress it up with flattering outfits and accessories. Know your body!
If you need inspiration to love, accept your body and dress it to perfection, perhaps you should check out one of my favorite bloggers, Megan Jayne Crabbe who provides endless inspiration for plus sized people who think because of their weight, being stylish isn't a possibility.
Irrespective of your size, shape, colour, sexual orientation etc, you are beautiful, deserving of love, worthy of growth and destined for a full rich life. Happy Valentine!
Photo credit: aboutthatcurvylife.com