Body Positvity - Thoughts and Reflections
So I’m writing this post a few days after I interviewed Becky Young, founder of the Anti Diet Riot Club, because I like to give myself three days to fully formulate my thoughts, and I’ve decided to add my own reflections onto this interview. (For the full interview click here).
Becky was amazing to interview. She’s extremely smart, as an Oxford graduate and I believe the message she is trying to send out is one that needs to be broadcast. But this is Munia’s Wellness Show and I like to talk about health. Therefore, I take a different approach than other people and I do advocate eating a certain way, I do advocate moving around every single day (if you are physically capable – emphasis on the physically) because I am trying to help people, and I believe you have to give guidance in order to help.
I think that there isn’t any place whatsoever in junk food, and I think we should aim for a balanced diet because of the word ‘balance’. Yes this implies some foods are less nutritious (or not nutritious at all) because there is a clear division between organic, freshly and locally grown produce, and a fried chicken nugget, containing antibiotics, disease as well as the immorality processed food takes to make. I’m way too passionate about organic and ethically produced food to not say my part, and this is what inspired me to write my reflections on this interview.
I am still hesitant about the language I use around body positivity because I don’t want to offend other people, especially in the take-down culture we are cultivating and choosing to focus our attention on at the moment.
The most important reflection I want to add to this discussion is the fact that we, as fellow human beings living in a collaborative society, HAVE TO use our intuition and compassion and reach out to other people if we feel they are an unhealthy weight, be it over or under. Now, I’m by no means advocating body-shaming, and I’m not telling people to do this via social media. My point is, if we have a friend, family member or someone else we know well, and think their weight is negatively impacting their health, we have to use our courage and tell them. They might not want to hear it, and you might be berated or falsely accused of harbouring malicious intent, but the purpose is to make people more aware of choosing healthier options. We are ALL in a place to encourage others to lead healthier lifestyles, not only so this ripples across the rest of our society, but also so this wave trickles down to the generations to come, and has a wider impact upon our planet.
I want to encourage people to trust their gut instinct, as it is so powerful, and you could end up helping, or even saving someone’s life. As long as your intention is correct, and you mean to help, not harm, and you reach out with love, then I encourage each and everyone of you to help guide those around you into cultivating a healthier lifestyle.
After all, if not now, when, if not you, then whom?