In her best selling book, The Magic Art of Tidying Up, author Marie Kondo writes…
The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one’s hand and ask: “Does this spark joy?” If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it.
Consider the amount of time you spend on social media (or watching TV).
Are you “consuming” images + posts + shows + articles that spark joy and make you feel good about yourself and the world?
A few months ago, I set out on an adventure – to create a Facebook feed that made me feel great about myself. And I succeeded.
When we’re bombarded with size 4 bodies and photo-shopped images all day, every day – our brains recognize these images as “normal” and anything else as – not normal.
That said – less than 5% of the population fits in this “ideal body” category. So these bodies are not the norm – in fact, they’re quite rare. But seeing them over and over and over – messes with our heads.
- I don’t look like that.
- I’m not pretty.
- I’m not acceptable.
- I should skip lunch today.
In her brilliant book, Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls, Jes Baker references a 2012 study on body image…
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“The 2012 study noted that there seemed to be a discrepancy on what type of body Western culture prefers as compared to other parts of the word, a discrepancy that wasn’t necessarily attributed to, ”biological attraction.”
Could it POSSIBLY be because we’re force-fed one example of the perfect woman? Well, YEAH. So what happens when we change the body that is shown repeatedly? NPR reported on the study:
Changing negative attitudes about body size might be as simple as changing what you see. When women in England were shown photos of plus-sized women in neutral gray leotards, they became more tolerant…
“Showing them thin bodies makes them like thin bodies more, and showing them fat bodies makes them like fat bodies more,” says Lynda Boothroyd, a psychology researcher at Durham University in England, who led the study.
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Bottom line – we can diversify our media + retrain our minds + feel better about our bodies as a result.
The more “real” bodies we see, the more accepting we become. Total no brainer!
As you scroll through your Facebook (or Tumblr or Instagram) feed, ask – does this spark joy? If not, get rid of it – and replace with something that makes you feel good.
Because it’s SO MUCH easier to embrace a healthier lifestyle when you feel good about yourself.
Don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered…
- https://www.facebook.com/thehonestbodyproject/
- https://www.facebook.com/KelseyMillerWriter/
- https://www.facebook.com/ravish.ly/
- https://www.facebook.com/nobodyshamecampaign/
- https://www.facebook.com/themilitantbaker/
- https://www.facebook.com/ragenchastain
- https://www.facebook.com/bodyimagelibrarian/
- https://www.facebook.com/bodypositiveaustralia/
- https://www.facebook.com/TessHollidayOfficial/
- https://www.facebook.com/bodyimageproject/
- https://www.facebook.com/BeautyRedefined/
- https://www.facebook.com/curvyyoga/
- https://www.facebook.com/losehatenotweight/
- https://www.facebook.com/CurvyGirlInc/
- https://www.facebook.com/bodyimagemovement/
- https://www.facebook.com/JadeBeallPhotography/
- https://www.facebook.com/adipositivity/
- https://www.facebook.com/EndangeredBodiesNYC/
- https://www.facebook.com/positivebodyimageproject/
- https://www.facebook.com/plussizemommymemoirs/
- https://www.facebook.com/ChrystalBougon
And of course…
Also – there’s an easy “trick” to make sure the pages you really want to see show up first on your Facebook feed.
- Hover over the “liked” button…
- Click on, “posts in news feed,” and select, “see first.”
Voila!
XO ~Robyn
PS: Yes, I’m a Health Coach, but first and foremost my mission is to help women of ALL shapes and sizes learn to love and accept their bodies. As an eating disorder survivor and someone who used to hate her body (even when it was very thin), I cannot emphasize the importance of spreading messages of body acceptance and body positivity enough.
You can help create change by liking + sharing + posting body positive images and articles. So much more to come on this topic. Stay tuned!
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I’m currently accepting new clients! Weight Loss Coaching is not another fad diet or get thin quick scheme. It’s a pathway to sanity around food, a healthier you – and a more delicious life. No calorie counting required.
I work with determined + smart + courageous women who are ready to get off the diet rollercoaster – for good.
To learn more about private Weight Loss Coaching, click here to schedule a free Discovery Session or email me directly at robyn@chickadeeweightloss.com.