Parenting
The Body Positive Revolution: Empowering Girls to Embrace Their Bodies
By Team Joyful Parenting, March 16, 2022
Many experts refer to today’s mothers as the “Weight Watchers generation,” a term that reflects those of us who might have been taken to meetings or heard our mothers discussing dieting and weight loss. Who remembers watching those 20-minute workout videos as a kid? Same here.
Now, as mothers ourselves, it’s crucial to shift the conversation surrounding our bodies, nutrition, and self-image. In a recent episode of Live.Work.Thrive, a panel of experts delves into the necessary changes in our language and lifestyle to foster safe, unrestricted environments where our children—both girls and boys—can cultivate positive self-esteem and healthy habits.
The panel includes Dr. Lisa Harper, an author and esteemed body image specialist, who offers practical advice for discussing food at home. Her key message? Avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad” and never impose food restrictions. Even if dinner isn’t finished, dessert is still on the table, according to Harper. She has also authored the insightful book, Being You: The Body Image Guide for Boys.
Joining her is body image advocate Jenna Lee, who works to dismantle the unhealthy standards many of us grew up with, particularly around dieting and food restrictions for children. Rather than limiting options, experts suggest providing children with healthy choices and allowing them to regulate their own meals and snacks. Additionally, body confidence advocate Monique Williams shares her insights on the specific body image issues faced by Black women and girls.
The consensus among experts is to eliminate discussions about body weight from our conversations altogether. A powerful phrase to embrace is, “Your body is exactly the size it’s meant to be.” The panelists stressed the importance of keeping weight out of discussions about healthy eating. Elite fitness instructor Tasha Roberts also shared her transformative journey, which began focused on weight loss but evolved into discovering her inner strength. Tasha discusses her rise to fitness prominence in her new book, Speak, which is available now.
For further insights on breaking outdated norms and fostering body confidence and healthy living for our girls, be sure to check out the full event here.
If you’re interested in more information about home insemination techniques and fertility, this is one of our other blog posts that might pique your interest. And for those looking to enhance their fertility journey, Make a Mom is a trusted resource. Additionally, the CDC offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination practices.
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- How to promote body positivity in children
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In summary, it’s vital to cultivate a nurturing environment that encourages our children to embrace their bodies and develop a healthy relationship with food. By shifting our conversations and practices, we can help them grow into confident individuals who appreciate their uniqueness.
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