How to Feel Good about Your Body: A Journey Within — Be Your Own Brand of Sexy

Jessica had always struggled with her weight, and her father’s hurtful comments about her body stung. He would call her “chubby” and make jokes that made her feel bad about herself. She began to criticize herself like he did, and she started to believe that she wasn’t good enough because of her size. As a single woman trying to find a partner, Jessica often worried about what men would think of her body.

One day, Jessica went on a dinner date with a man she met online. She was excited to meet him, but her hopes shattered when he said, “You know, you’d be even prettier if you lost a few pounds.” Jessica felt crushed. She ended the date early, went home, and cried herself to sleep. For a while, Jessica felt down about herself. She ate comfort food and avoided going out. But as time passed, she started to think more about her experiences. She realized that she had been facing discrimination about her body her whole life, from her father’s comments to the hurtful words from her date.

Challenging the negative ways you see yourself can be difficult, especially when it comes to weight and body image. Weight discrimination is pervasive in our society, and it can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health and self-esteem. From an early age, we are bombarded with messages about how the “ideal” body should look, and those who don’t fit that mold often face ridicule, shame, and discrimination. It’s not surprising that so many women think, “I don’t like my body.” As women age, we see idealized images of thin, young women and promises of eternal youth if we buy their products. The resulting negative body image can lead to depression, social withdrawal, lower self-esteem and eating issues.

Negative views about weight are the biggest factor in causing distress and body dissatisfaction, even more than discrimination. How can we change them?

The body positivity movement and body neutrality are two approaches that aim to combat these harmful societal messages. Body positivity encourages people to love and appreciate their bodies. It challenges the idea that there is one “perfect” body type and celebrates self-acceptance.

Body neutrality, on the other hand, focuses on appreciating the body for what…