I give you Exhibit A:
This content can also be viewed on the site itoriginatesfrom.
My Instagram post simply says: Remember, YOU get to define what strong means to you.
#HarderToKill
Where do I even start unpacking this?
Courtesy of Steph Gaudreau
I battled withbody dysmorphiaas recently as 2010, believing that my 130-pound body was deformed…and wrong.
Momentary elation was replaced by the feeling of absolute emptiness.
I still wasnt happy.
WTF, thats not how it was supposed to work.
It took a long time, and a lot of work, to be OK with myself.
I had to sit in the soup and make forward progress only to cha-cha backwards and then forwards again.
Courtesy of Steph Gaudreau
But Im lucky to be on the other side.
When I started my website,Stupid Easy Paleo, it was purely for funsies.
I can only expect to see change in the world when I start with myself.
I have to wonder: How much is body obsession a way to avoid dealing with your stuff?
What else could you do with that time and energy?
Furthermore, this ol chestnut just wont die: Bodyweight and health status are not always linked.
(Curiously, Im also “manly” because I have muscle?
Oh, most unholy of trinities!
Body fat, “manly” muscle, and appearing overweight!)
I could give numerous examples of howbodyweight isnt synonymous with healthor vice versa.
Are we really that shallow and jaded?
Its not a be all, end all.
For someone like me with a well-muscled frame, its an even more misleading metric.
Now, I know from conversations with men in my life that body image/body shaming is real for them.
It happens, it worries them, and it hurts them, too.
Yes, I just went there.
Weve got to develop awareness when it comes to internalized misogyny, even within ourselves.
We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Most of my commenter’s thoughts were purely opinion.
Again, shes entitled to it, though it didnt add anything productive to the conversationjust another drive-by shaming.
Ilift weightsbecause I love it.
I love feeling the resistance against my body.
It keeps my mind sharp and makes me pay attention, focusing on the present.
I love the feeling of accomplishing something I maybe didnt think I could.
I love the mental, physical, and emotional challenge.
I love how it makes me feel alive.
And I realize, its not for everyone.
Not everybody loves those things, and thats fine.
You do you, dude(tte) and Ill keep doing me.
Things tend turn out better that way, anyway.
This is it: your time, and mine, to do better.
To hold ourselves and each other to a higher standard.
To see the good in ourselves so we can see the good in our sisters and brothers.
To continue this conversation with friends and family.
But its progress nonetheless.
xo Steph
This post originally appeared onStupid Easy Paleoand has been edited and condensed.
Related:
Watch: How Practicing Yoga Helped Jessamyn Stanley Love Her Body
