Embrace You

Have you watched the film 'Embrace' yet? 

Its a film that reinforces the idea that we should embrace our bodies just the way they are. No shame, no judgement, no disgust, just pure acceptance and love. How revolutionary is that! 
The film spoke to me on many levels since I could relate to so many of these women that the documentary had interviewed. Women who had never had a ‘thigh-gap’, who had had acne and didn’t look in the mirror for 3 years, women who generally felt total disgust for their appearances and for their bodies. I have been that person.

Even tonight as sit here, I can honestly admit that I have contemplated the thought of whether I should be losing a couple of pounds. I know my friends and family members will probably think I’m nuts for thinking those thoughts but unless we look like the cover of sports illustrated then are we actually desirable? good enough? pretty enough? Especially since I’m single and I know the pressure is intense to look the best I can to get the guy that I’m going to be with.

What utter bullshit.

It breaks my heart to hear from these women - especially the models who we look up to. These women who eat cotton wool balls soaked in gatorade just to be full and stay thin. These women who get photoshopped on the cover of these magazines and spend most of their time obsessing about how they look. I feel so much compassion for these women and for those of us who are not totally comfortable with our bodies. 

Before I started the transition to eating a plant-based, I used to either calorie count or binge eat. There wasn’t really anything in between those two extremes. If I was thin I felt good, if I was overweight I felt disgusting. Around 5 years ago I ditched dieting altogether - it's my belief that dieting and those who promote diets should be ignored and called out for the poison that they create. Like Taryn from Embrace says: any 4 letter word that starts with D-I-E should be avoided at all costs. 

These loops that keep is self-hating, self-loathing and self-harming need to be called out for what they are: wrong. 

A few years ago I posted this picture of myself showing a before and after, and now I regret that. What I was really trying to convey was how much happier I was , but not because I’d lost weight but because in my head and my body I felt better. The idea that we are emotionally much happier is what should be celebrated, supported and spread. We should be encouraging each other to be ourselves, accept ourselves and each other. Empower each other to be the most unique, true and authentic version of ourselves… and this does not mean that we should look like someone on the cover of a magazine. 
I don't work with ladies and gents who are simply looking for a quick fix to lose weight - though I do understand the feeling behind their desires. However I do work with those of us who are wanting to create a more positive mental and emotional relationship with ourselves. 

So, please take a moment to reach out to your friends and family members who you love just the way you are - especially on valentines day. Also, make sure if you haven’t got round to watching ‘Embrace’ yet then definitely do it!
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Lets embrace each other for our uniqueness, authenticity and light in each of us… perfect just the way we are.