Body Positivity Is More Than Self-Love & Acceptance—Are We Missing the Bigger Picture?
I spent my entire childhood overweight, reaching my heaviest at over 230 pounds.
Growing up, I was teased and labeled "Fat Paige"—just another way to be singled out in a neighborhood with multiple Paiges. It wasn’t until college that I started making changes, not just for how I looked but for how I felt.
My journey has given me a deep, personal empathetic connection to the conversation around weight, body fat, and how society talks about these terms and people experiencing hardships with their weight.
I''m not saying my overcoming overweight story is the same as everyone or that I know everything or that I'm right. But I'm suuuuuuure my story is similar to some and I've maintained my weight loss for over 9 years so I know I'm doing something right.
I used to think that I was born to be overweight foreverrrrr because I was "always that way" and "it was hard" and "nothing worked" but that was sooo not true.
Look at fat as something you have, not something you are.
It wasn't until I changed my mindset around "fat" and "overweight" that long-term changes stuck.
The Body Positivity Movement
The body positivity movement is defined as:
"A social movement focused on the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities, while challenging present-day beauty standards as an undesirable social construct."
I'm referring to the things we can change and what we do have control over. Our weight... We're getting there. Stick with me.
Yes, #FatIsBeautiful. Yes, we should embrace all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities.
Yes, every body is a good body. Absolutely—alladat.
Being beautiful does not mean being skinny.
You can be overweight and still be confident, happy, and love yourself.
But What’s Missing?
I was told to change my attitude instead of my habits. I was encouraged to be confident rather than take steps to improve my health. I was told to love and accept myself as I was—but I was still unhappy.
Body positivity should be more than just self-acceptance. It should also encourage behaviors that support our bodies in the long run. Loving yourself is powerful, and part of that love should include taking care of yourself.
Health is Fluid—It’s Not Guaranteed
No matter our size, we all eventually learn that health isn’t static. It’s something we have to maintain daily. Obesity and excess weight can increase the risk of serious health issues like:
- Metabolic syndrome
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Certain cancers
- Sleep disorders
Right now, we are in the middle of an obesity epidemic. The rates of preventable diseases continue to rise. So while body positivity is about self-love and acceptance, it should also include self-care.
True Body Positivity Means Prioritizing Health
I believe we should shift the conversation from just accepting ourselves to investing in ourselves.
That means making choices today that support our well-being long-term. Let’s move, nourish, and care for our bodies—not because we need to fit a certain mold but because we deserve to feel our best.
Body positivity should be about more than feeling good in your skin—it should be about feeling good in your body, inside and out.
I hope with each new day, we take our health more seriously—because we only get one body, and it’s worth caring for.
Invest in Your Body, Invest in Yourself
Body positivity isn’t just about self-acceptance—it’s about self-care. Loving yourself means taking care of the one body you have so you can thrive, not just today but for years to come. Small steps add up, and every choice you make to move, nourish, and care for yourself is a step toward a healthier, more vibrant you.
If you’re ready to embrace a wellness journey that celebrates both self-love and self-care, I invite you to explore the Posi shop. You'll find affirmational goods and wellness tools to support you along the way—because you deserve to feel your best inside and out.
Peace and posi,
p
