Just Like Shoes, One Size Doesn't Fit All

It would be entirely unfair, not to mention unrealistic, to expect every foot to fit into a size 6 shoe.  So why do we imagine that we can or should make every body fit into a size 2 pair of skinny jeans?

Bodies come in all shapes and sizes.  Period.  It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I will never be a 6-foot-tall, 120-pound fashion model.  At an optimistic 5’7″, it just isn’t in the cards for me.  And trying to make my body into something it’s not is not only impossible, it’s damaging, depressing and demoralizing.  On the other hand, accepting our body as it is doesn’t have to be a resignation, in fact I like to think of it more as the begininng of a very rewarding exploration.

When we start exploring what our own personal ideal body might feel like, instead of worrying about what society’s ideal body looks like we create space for ourselves that may never have been there before.  Space to listen to the internal messages that say things like, “my body feels really good after a fun workout” or “my stomach doesn’t appreciate when I put too much food in it”.  Tuning in to these kinds of messages can lead to lasting life changes which are actually enjoyable because they are coming from a place of deep self-connection.  Listening to media messages that say you’re too fat or not good enough rarely lead to either thoughts or behavior that make you feel good.

Today’s Asipration:  Appreciate the here and now body.  Make food and movement choices based on how they make your body feel, and how they make you feel in your body.  If eating a light lunch or running a mile makes your body feel good, then great!  But if you’re making choices that deprive or punish your body in an effort to shape it into that “perfect” media mold, stop, take a breath, and consider making a different, more connected choice.

Written by Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Laina Copley.

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