Moving away from the idea that weight loss is the primary indicator of health or self-worth.
“I do,” the woman said gently. “I go to the gentle yoga class on Thursdays. And I walk my dog every morning. That’s my wellness.”
You do not have to wait until you reach a goal weight to buy the gym clothes, go to the pool, or see a doctor. You do not have to apologize for taking up space.
Speaking to yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
The wellness industry had her in a chokehold. She followed the influencers with their flat abs and green powders. She tried keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, and a brief, regrettable stint with cayenne-pepper lemon cleanses. Each time she “failed,” she blamed her body instead of the unrealistic expectations. Her journal was filled with entries like: “Today I was weak again. Ate the office donut. Why can’t I just control myself?”
But one day, something shifted. Emily had been following a popular body positivity activist on social media, and she stumbled upon a post that made her stop scrolling. The activist wrote about the importance of self-care and self-love, and how it was time to break free from the unrealistic beauty standards that had been imposed upon them. Emily felt a spark of inspiration, and she began to explore the world of body positivity and wellness.
