Tips for body positivity are important year round but many people need some extra support this time of year!
Being body positive during the holidays is difficult. Diet culture and fat phobia are real. Diets and fat shaming tend to come in casual conversation even though there is no logical reason to be discussing such things over the dinner table.
“Did you gain weight?”
“Should you be eating that?”
“You look too skinny”
“You eat too healthy”
Have you ever heard comments like this before during a holiday?? No one should be commenting on anyone’s body size or what’s on their plate. I repeat, NO ONE SHOULD BE COMMENTING ON YOUR BODY SIZE OR WHATS ON YOUR PLATE. It’s unnecessary to make observations out loud to someone- you don’t know about their circumstance, why they are eating a certain way or why their body is a specific size. So many times it can be due to a medical situation or sometimes disordered eating.
Fast stigma and body shaming runs rampant in our country and the truth is that many people have very little control of their body size. And we already know that body size does not depict our health status. Speak out against people fat shaming, let them know they are in the wrong and to stop their snap judgements.
I put together a list of tips to have a body positive Thanksgiving (obviously great for any holiday or occasion)- whether you are someone or is struggling with a serious eating disorder or someone that struggles with body image this list is for you. Some of the tips may require you voicing your thoughts and feelings, which not all of us may be ready to do, but other tips involve more self reliance and reflection such as self care and practicing gratitude.
Change your focus or the topic
-Avoid politics and relationship status but traveling, weather, work, and hobbies are all good topics
-Focus on a funny text or meme, walk out of the room and direct your attention to another family member
Speak out against diet culture or fat shaming
-I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make comments on my body size or what’s on my plate
-Can we talk about something more interesting than diet xyz?
-I’m trying not to focus on my eating habits, and instead to think about what is actually important.
Set some time aside for self care earlier in the day
– Paint your nails, go for a walk, call a friend, read a book, etc.
-Self care can also exist during the event- go to another room and practice deep breathing, get something you “forgot” from the car, and set boundaries for how long you are comfortable staying at any holiday or event that might be triggering
Remind yourself this is just one meal on one day
-It can be difficult to face a meal like this when you are struggling with your body image or eating disorder but it’s really just one meal. Let the meal be about enjoyment and trusting your body. Give yourself permission to fully enjoy everything on your plate.
Practice gratitude
-Practicing gratitude has been found to have many positive impacts on our mood, stress levels, sleep, and more- it’s important to do this every day, not just on holidays. Try to have body positive affirmations to use and help yourself through the stress of the holidays. Journaling at night or before an event can also be impactful. In general just learning to be happy in your own body can go a long way to support yourself in difficult situations.
Do you have any tips you would like to share for a body positive Thanksgiving?? Or any holiday!?
If you are struggling with body positivity or disordered eating and need more support or education please reach out about nutrition counseling services.
