23. Ending The War On Our Bodies

I hesitate to use the word “war,” but when I think of my own journey with my body, that’s what it felt like. It felt like a war I couldn’t win. Diet culture sells us a vision, but the game is rigged. There is no end to the road.

Some things folks have shared with me about grieving their bodies:

• Believing their bodies need to look a certain way
• Fitting into the world
• Ability to get medical advice that isn’t fatphobic

Part of ending the war on our body is to deprogram from diet culture. Society tells us that having fat is bad and immoral, while having a small body is preferable. In reality, malnutrition can literally kill you. Weight loss and gain should be amoral, without judgment.

The way to get all the way on the body positive boat is unconditional positive regard.

What does body love mean to you? For example, the ability to accept and love your body how it is. This goes totally against diet culture’s emphasis on loving how your body looks.

I can promise you that if you can let go of what you’ve always done, if you’re willing to let go of the praise for your “effort,” that makes space for grief. In order to heal, you need to sit in the suck. Grieve what you’re going to be losing in order to allow your life to change for the better.

Check out my resources, course, and membership community “The Body Grievers Club” at https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

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