I’m taking a good hard look at how and when I use the words “body positive” to describe myself and what I do. I think it’s important that we all do. I have no problem admitting when I’ve been wrong. I thrive on growth and change. So here goes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, I’ve removed the words “body positive” from my Instagram bio. I’ve been carefully considering how I describe my work. I haven’t been using hashtags like #bodypositivity and #bopo. Have my values changed? Not in the slightest. I still fully support the body positive movement. I believe in Health At Every Size <\/a>and promote Intuitive Eating. <\/a>(Not to be mistaken for “healthy at every size” or “eat donuts for every meal”. If you haven’t already read the books by those names, please do so before you form an opinion.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n I am still proudly affiliated with Body Positive Fitness Alliance .<\/a>Their 7 Pillars <\/a>(accessibility, approachability, enjoyment, community, scope of practice, full health, and yes, body positivity) are the cornerstones of my coaching philosophy. I’m even (thrilled to be) listed on Superfit Hero’s Body Positive Fitness Finder<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a lot of reasons. But to start, body positivity is trendy now. The mainstream media is starting to realize that the movement is picking up and that if they put the words “love your body” on a product or a service, it sells more things. The problem with this? The original meaning behind the message is getting muddled by people and companies who don’t understand it. I’m not claiming to be the expert on body positivity, but I do know I don’t want to contribute to that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The intention behind body positivity is more than just “love your body”. It is not “Change your body to fit this societal ideal and then you can love it.” It’s not “Watch me scrunch over and take a picture of the little fat roll I made and then talk about how I still love myself.” It’s especially not “I loved myself in this “before” picture and now I love myself in this “after” picture too.” I see a lot of this under the hashtag #bodypositive on social media and I now realize how not cool it is. I feel the need to (lovingly) spread the word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Know better. Do better. That’s my motto. Because I admittedly screw things up a lot. I don’t doubt that I’ll probably look back at this post in a year and cringe at some things I said. I’m sure that one of you reading this right now will probably leave me a comment or a message and call me on something I did wrong. So I’m gonna do the same now. Not for anyone in particular, but for our culture as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I don’t know. If you know me well, you know that I’ve been grappling with what to call myself and what I do for a few years now. In terms of my beliefs, I very much resonate with Body Positive Fitness Alliance’s use of the word body positive: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When I work with clients, I’m here for them<\/em>. To help them access health, happiness, and fitness, if that’s what they’re looking for. It’s not about me. (That’s what my therapist is for.) True body positivity was has it’s roots in fat acceptance. The body positive movement was originally intended as a space for people in marginalized bodies to find sanctuary from stigma and oppression. And while I believe that all <\/em>bodies are good bodies, and that you can struggle with body image at any size, women who look like me (maybe you too?) don’t need to be the center of attention in body positivity. As my mom used to tell me as a kid. “The world does not revolve around Jenna.” And to share an idea I heard from Laura Thomas PHD, <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wait. Before you get offended by the “p” word or the “d” word, read a bit further. You’ve seen my picture. Maybe you even know me. I hate that there’s a stereotypical look for a fitness professional but I look kinda like that. Maybe the more “jacked” variation, but still. I can fit comfortably into this teeny corner seat at the coffee shop where I’m typing this. I can find clothes that fit me at pretty much any store and the girls in their ads have bodies that look similar to mine. When I hurt my ankle and go to get treatment, I’m not given a prescription for weight loss. I have the means to buy the overpriced cupcake sitting on the counter next to me, and know that I won’t get dirty looks for eating it in public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Privilege doesn’t mean my life’s been easy or that I love my body all the time. Same goes for you. It just means that these types of things don’t make it any harder. Privilege is complicated and nuanced. It’s possible to have privilege in some areas and feel marginalized in others. I personally have a lot of things in my favor like being white, able-bodied, straight, cisgender, relatively healthy, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s the unfortunate truth. Are you uncomfortable yet? It’s ok if you are. And if you identify with any of the things I just mentioned above, you’re still a good person. I’m sure you worked hard for many of the things you have, and have lived through some really hard times. Me too. But because of what I know about the roots of body positivity, I’m going to be using the words “body positive” sparingly around here and on my social media too. Or at least try not to mix it with pictures of me wearing a sports bra, doing squats, and drinking a green smoothie. (All things that I do fairly regularly.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo why am I reconsidering my use of the words “body positive” to describe myself<\/em>? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We can do better. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I want to take a moment to shine a light on a few of the things that have no business being in the same sentence as the words “body positive”. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Maybe not me either?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
“All people are worthy of health, happiness, and access to fitness NOW.”<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
“I have every <\/em>privilege<\/em><\/a> except a dick.”<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I also realize that because of this, people are more likely to listen to these types messages from me.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n