The toxic side of body positivity
We need to stop gaslighting women into body positivity.
There is a body positivity movement that is trendy right now. While it’s amazing some women have learned to fully embrace their body and self, there’s also those who are struggling to do so, or simply do not want to due to their current weight or health status. I’ve been seeing this more recently with my female patients.
What’s happening is women don’t feel allowed to have authentic, raw feelings about their bodies, health, & confidence, without fear of being cancelled.
Some of my female patients have shared how they are—
Avoiding taking pictures because of how they look
Avoiding social events because they can’t find the right fit
Feeling embarrassed at the pool, beach, or the gym
Reluctant to be intimate with their partner
They are missing on special moments of life, yet feel they can’t talk about their body due to toxic body positivity culture telling us we can’t be real with our feelings.
The hard truth is feeling trapped in your body, being out of breath easily, or being diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health conditions is not healthy nor fun to live with. These are genuine and serious concerns that should not be made light of.
I remind my acupuncture clients this:
The reality is every single one of us has something to work on.
The difference is accepting and loving yourself enough to take positive action.
It’s ok to not be fully happy where you are currently at. This is a sign that you can propel yourself forward to make healthy choices that align with your highest good.
Remember that I am here to help. If you are feeling stuck in your relationship with food and your body, acupuncture and herbal medicine can assist in regulating digestion & metabolism, balancing hormones, and supporting weight management.
In gratitude,
Dr. Jessica Woronick
