By Lisa Carlson, MS, RDN, LDN, Campus Dietitian Nutritionist
Every day is a time to accept and respect your body. After all, it is the only one we have.
At Glamour, I learned a lot about body image and body acceptance.
Several years ago, I lived in New York City and worked as associate food editor at Glamour magazine (beauty or fashion magazines were what social media is today). The models photographed on the pages were what you aspired to be in order to have a happy, fulfilling life. Little did we know, that many of the photos were airbrushed to remove any imperfections, extra curves or body blemishes.
When I would arrive at work in the morning, there was always a fear of being "a Glamour Don't" -- not quite put together, whether it was body shape, size or outfit.
Glamour Dos and Don'ts refers to Glamour's very popular and famous column that displayed women sometimes with their eyes masked (to hide their identity) showing up in either the "Glamour Do" or a "Glamour Don't" section. The "Glamour Dos" always looked perfectly coiffed, hair in place, body perfect like fashion models: thin, often too skinny, wearing expensive designer outfits. The "Glamour Don'ts" were a variety of different sizes, never model thin, and their clothes were a touch less than perfect (sometimes too tight or too loose). The women in the Glamour Don'ts looked pretty normal.
I lasted at Glamour just over a year, and then moved on to a serious food magazine, COOK's Magazine, the 4-color precursor of COOK's Illustrated. No diet recipes in that publication. Just really good, real food for real people, of all sizes.
At Glamour, I learned a lot about body image, body distortion and finally body acceptance. This lesson I believe is applicable to today's obsession with the perfect people on social media, with movie stars and models with "perfect bodies."
What I learned is that we will never have a "perfect body" and we can't wait until we are perfect to feel good about ourselves or feel that we are worthy of love, being at a great college, having wonderful friends, good jobs and being happy.
Body Acceptance Week's theme is "Every Body: Come as you are." There is room at the table of life for every body. It starts with accepting that you deserve to be at that table.
Body Acceptance is about celebrating your body today, as you are, no matter your size, race, culture, gender or ability.
Here are a few thoughts:
1. Be grateful for the body you have. It gets you through the day, helps you move you from place to place and gives you strength. Your body is uniquely your own. Honor it and respect it. You may not always like every part, so concentrate on what you do like and neutralize others.
2. Be very aware of your body self-talk. Talk to yourself in positive, healing ways, much like you would talk to a friend who is struggling. Be your own best friend when it comes to body acceptance. Give yourself a hug.
3. Be mindful of your eating and try not to be restrictive. Get foods from all the main food groups: lots of veggies, lean and vegetable proteins, fresh fruit, grains especially whole grains, healthy fats. Watch portion size and at the same time treat yourself to foods that you enjoy a few times a week.
4. Surround yourselves with friends that are body positive. Have a buddy who you can talk to when you are feeling less positive about the way you look. Surround yourself with positive people who are on the same journey of self-acceptance that you are on, not people who are always talking about diets or they way their jeans fit. Don't hang with people who body shame (and don't be one yourself).
5. Find an exercise or activity you love and make some time for it. It could be walking around campus; going to the NU fitness center, doing stretches or yoga in your room or through a zoom class. Something that moves your body also moves your mind. Make it fun. It will help remind you that you are strong and resilient.
6. Put inspiring quotes around your room. These can help motivate you and keep you positive when you get down on yourself. One of my favorites is: "I am enough: the three little words that will change your life."
7. Honor your body: whether it is big, small, tall, short, curvy or narrow, black, brown or white. No matter what you have, feel blessed that you have it and can move it.
8. Appreciate that there are some parts of your body that you are going to like more than others. That is OK!
9. Unfollow any social media accounts which trigger you. Stop comparing yourself to others. Remember the quote: “Compare and Despair.” Be yourself...and believe in your power!