It’s no secret- women are constantly bombarded with pressures to look a certain way. Flat stomach, large breasts, thigh gap, big butt, thin arms, long legs, perfect skin, and the list goes on and on and on. Pressures are so strong that 86% of college-aged women are dissatisfied with their bodies. Pile these pressures on top of classes, exams, jobs, friendships, relationships and a social life—it’s exhausting! Which is why I’m here to tell you that YOU can change this.
We’ve all been there, thinking if we could just change this about our body or lose this many pounds, our lives would be better. As women, we’ve been trained since we were little girls to be modest, and that it’s not acceptable to openly love things about our bodies because we might come off as conceited or full of ourselves. When our friends look in the mirror and point out things they don’t like about their bodies, we tell them they’re beautiful, but then proceed to point out our own flaws. While this might seem like just a normal thing girls do, acting this way can be dangerous. 63% of women identify weight as a key factor in how they feel about themselves, even above things like career or family. This mindset leads to feeling like dieting will lead to a better-looking body. But let’s be real, dieting is awful:
But what if I told you that there was an alternative to the dieting, body-shaming lifestyle that women gravitate to?
You have to learn to love yourself, just the way you are. You are an original, 100% genuine, one of a kind. No one can set a standard of how you should look because every single person on this planet has a different body. Adapting this mindset is not easy and it takes time, but it will completely change the way you see others, and the person looking back at you in the mirror. Stop focusing on a flatter stomach, slender arms, calorie counts and the way others look and focus on what makes you feel good!
Here are some ways to start being more body positive in your everyday life!
As college-aged women, we are in the perfect position to be the change we want to see, on our campuses and in our relationships with others. We are role models for younger siblings, cousins, friends, and strangers. We are the inspiration of our parents and on the cusp of our budding careers. We are perched, ready to go out into the world and leave our mark on it. Let’s make sure it’s a positive one. So, cut the fat talk and stay body positive!
This article was written to bring attention to National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
If you or someone you know could be at risk for an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders website at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support
To find more information about the wellness and nutrition programs offered at Purdue University, please visit our website at
http://www.purdue.edu/recwell/programs/wellnessPrograms/index.php .