Body Positivity: How To Love Yourself Without Losing Weight

What is body positivity, really?

I’ve never quite understood how someone could think positively about their body when there are so many others to compare it to. If you’ve felt the same way, you’re not alone. I’ve always been the one comparing myself to others—wishing I had what they had and resenting the body I was born with.

Did you know that 28.7% of women feel “dissatisfied” and 32.6% feel “self-conscious” about their bodies? These numbers are staggering, but the real question is: how do we start changing them for the better? How can we embrace our bodies and shift from comparison to acceptance?

What is Body Positivity?

Body positivity refers to the belief that everyone deserves to have a positive body image, regardless of societal standards of what the “ideal” body should look like. It involves thinking positively about and accepting your body as it is, regardless of its shape, size, or appearance.

Body positivity encourages embracing and appreciating your body for what it can do, rather than how it looks. It’s about self-love, nurturing your body, and caring for it with kindness, even with unrealistic beauty ideals.

The ideas of body positivity can resonate differently with each individual. Here are a few meanings that body positivity might embody:

~ loving your body
~ accepting your body
~ feeling confident within your body
~ appreciating your body despite flaws

Weight Loss and Body Positivity

Many people believe that losing weight is necessary to achieve body acceptance or self-love. While I understand that everyone has different beliefs, I don’t think weight loss is necessary for self-acceptance. However, if you are struggling with health issues related to your weight, it’s important to find a professional who can guide you towards healthy living.

That said, I also know individuals who are already slim or at a healthy weight but still feel the need to lose more to accept themselves and feel validated by others. This highlights that body acceptance is often more of a mindset issue than a physical one. It’s crucial to realize that true self-love and acceptance aren’t tied to a specific number on the scale.

How to Practice Body Positivity in Daily Life

The Power of Affirmations

Affirmations are very powerful and one of the simplest practices you can start doing today. Affirmations are a powerful way to essentially “retrain” your mind by forcing yourself (at first) to say positive things about yourself, even if you don’t fully believe them yet. Over time, the more you repeat them, the more you’ll begin to internalize and believe them.

For example, I used to spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, constantly criticizing my body. My therapist suggested I try using affirmations instead, so I gave it a shot. At first, it felt unnatural, and I would follow a compliment with, “Hmm, actually, no.” But over time, I noticed a shift—I started to believe the positive things I was saying about myself. Affirmations helped me change the narrative I had about my body.

Compliment others

So many people struggle with their body image. Studies show that only 21% of adults (23% of men and 19% of women) felt satisfied with their body image over the past year. On the other hand, 20% (15% of men and 25% of women) reported feeling shame, 34% (25% of men and 43% of women) felt down or low, and 19% (12% of men and 26% of women) felt disgusted with their body image during that same period.

Often, we admire traits in others that they might not appreciate in themselves. For example, you might love your friend’s long, wavy hair, but she may find it frustrating because it’s difficult to manage. When we compliment others, we’re not only lifting their spirits but also practicing kindness and empathy. This can help us shift our own perspective on beauty and body image.

Social Media Positivity or Avoidance

I have a love-hate relationship with social media. Can anyone relate?

It’s a great way to stay connected and see what your friends, family, or favorite celebrities are up to, but it’s important to be mindful of who you’re following. If you find that certain accounts trigger negative feelings or lead you to compare yourself to others constantly, it might be time to consider unfollowing them.

The same goes for accounts focused on specific topics like weight loss—if their content isn’t supporting your well-being or body positivity journey, unfollowing is a healthy choice. Curating your feed with positive, uplifting content can make a world of difference in how you feel about yourself.

Celebrating Your Body’s Unique Qualities

Instead of focusing on the negatives, try shifting your attention to the things you like about yourself. For example, you might say, “I slept so well last night, and I love how that’s why my eyes aren’t baggy today.”

However, if you find it difficult to compliment your appearance, start by appreciating what your body can do for you. Your body gives you amazing abilities every day, including the ability to dance, sing, walk, read, talk, and taste. Focusing on these aspects can help shift your mindset towards gratitude and self-acceptance.

Practice self-care

By practicing self-care, you are giving back to your body. It cares for you every day and is constantly under stress, so when you take time to do something nice for yourself—like taking a bath, moisturizing, nourishing yourself, or simply relaxing—you’re essentially saying “thank you” to your body.

These small acts of kindness help you connect with your body and allow it to rest and regain strength, making self-care an essential part of nurturing both your physical and mental well-being.

Don’t just focus on the beauty from the outside

Beauty isn’t defined by outward appearance; it comes from within. If you’re a kind, compassionate person, that inner beauty will shine through. On the other hand, if you’re mean or unkind, it can dull even the most attractive features. True beauty radiates from a positive and loving heart.

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Final Reminder

Your worth is not defined by a number on a scale or by societal standards of beauty. True self-love comes from embracing and accepting yourself as you are—flaws and all. By shifting your focus from comparison to gratitude, you can build a healthier, more positive relationship with your body.

Be kind to yourself, celebrate your unique qualities, and always remember that you deserve love and acceptance just as you are.