Remind others that they are not their bodies, that their body is the home of their souls and their purpose, that health and exercise is a way of showing this home respect. Teach them nutrition and consistency and choice making, and teach them that one bad choice is neither disappointing nor retrogressive to the greater goal. Share stories of those who forever damaged their metabolism by consuming 1,000kcal/day while exercising off 1,600; of those who, nightly, shove their finger down their throat because of some stranger’s opinion; of those who keep bottles of fat burners and diet pills in the medicine cabinet; of those who wear shape-shifting undergarments so their waist is 21-inches wide while their weight is five pounds below a nutritionist’s recommendation (and three pounds more than their fitness coaches’). Tell them they have a choice in their body, in their appearance, that they are not to be defined – not by strangers, nor by themselves – by aesthetics, by their legs or their arms or any piece of their whole. Teach them that to starve is not to never eat; to starve is to eat less than the body needs. Teach them the consequences of not feeding the body what it needs. Teach them disordered eating. Explain the importance of berries, of kale, of sweet potatoes and pomegranates, of brussel sprouts and almonds without referencing appearance and instead emphasizing health. Remind them that confidence looks good clothed and confidence looks good naked, that the motivational quotes suggesting anything otherwise are marketing ploys and shame tactics. And please, if their body so desires, let them eat cake.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 04:06:16 +0000