What Is Body Neutrality? How to Practice Body Neutrality?

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Anyone who has used Instagram in recent times has likely heard of body positivity. You’ve probably seen the posts and the hashtags. You may have also seen the before and after photos. You know the ones where the before photo shows a thin woman wearing a swimsuit or workout clothes and the after picture shows a thinner woman hunched over with a more visible belly. Perhaps you were struck by images like these with a #BodyPos tag and wondered if this is what body positivity looks like. It’s meant for me. It could be for them. Lauren Leavell, certified personal coach, and inclusive fitness expert, says that body positivity does not necessarily mean positive body image.

“Body positivity” is a social movement that focuses on marginalized bodies and stresses that all bodies deserve respect. Leavell states that it is often confused with positive body images. A positive body image is a positive view of your body. Positive body image doesn’t necessarily mean that you are positive about your body. “Body neutrality allows you to focus on the positive aspects of your body, instead of dwelling on what needs doing.

What is Body Neutrality?

You’re probably asking yourself, “Uh? What’s body neutrality?” Then you’re in the right spot. Body neutrality, at its core, is the belief that you can live your life without worrying about your body in any way, negative or positive. It is possible to exist and still be worthy of respect, without having to think about your body. You might feel good about your body one day, but not the next. Are you unsure if this is for you? Leavell and eight other wellness experts share their thoughts on why body neutrality is so powerful.

Body neutrality VS body positivity

If we are talking about bodies, there is another movement you may have heard of: the body positivity movement. It is important to not confuse it for body neutrality. What is body positivity, then? The idea behind body positivity is that no matter how your body looks, you should always treat it with love. It still puts the body at the center of the stage. Your appearance is irrelevant to neutrality. It asserts that your existence is all that matters. Your body doesn’t define you as an individual. Your personality is more than what you see in your body.

What is the Psychology Behind Body Neutrality and How Does It Work?

It makes sense to also mention the basis of neutrality once you have defined it. This concept challenges the idea of self-love through the lens of your body and appearance. This concept encourages you to love, respect, and value your body regardless of its size. Your happiness should not depend on how content you are with your body. Although you should take care of your body, it shouldn’t affect how you feel about yourself. Your body should be viewed as a vehicle that takes you to your destination.

How is Fat Acceptance Related to Body Neutrality?

There are many examples of body movements and some, like fat acceptance, are causing a lot of controversies. Although it is closely linked to body neutrality, fat acceptance is quite different. The movement’s goal is to promote acceptance of all fat bodies and to treat them with respect, regardless of their size or shape. It insists that “fat” be used in a positive way so it doesn’t have negative connotations. It doesn’t allow for fat, body hatred, or shame.

How to Practice Body Neutrality

It can have many positive effects on your life. Therefore, it is a good idea for you to try it out yourself. Here are some guidelines to help you get started.

Talk to yourself

Accept the fact that your body will never be completely neutral overnight. It may feel strange and unnatural at first. Talking to yourself is the best way to start at this stage. Talking to yourself about your body’s functionality is a good idea. You should also acknowledge your weak and strong sides. You should not be upset about your weaknesses. Accept them.

Exercise And Sport

Although physical activity is essential for your body’s health and well-being, it shouldn’t be forced. You should choose something you enjoy, whether it’s swimming, dancing, or just walking. It is not a good idea to do it in order to lose weight, burn fat or alter your body’s shape. It makes you happy, healthy, and energetic.

Appropriate Diet

Are you wondering how to eat neutral with your body? It’s easier than you think. You should not be concerned about how your food choices will affect your weight or size. Consider your preferences in gastronomy and how specific foods make you feel. You should eat what you enjoy and what your body will be able to benefit from. This is where intuition and intuitive eating can be used to your advantage.

Outfits Ideas

The body neutrality principle does not discriminate based on a person’s body shape or size. You can wear what you want and what gives you confidence and comfort. If you are uncomfortable with wearing trendy or daring clothes, don’t. When putting together an outfit, aim for the golden middle.

Social Engagement

Being social can be fun. They can also be dangerous if taken too seriously. Remember that people only show what they wish to be seen on social media. Sometimes the reality of what they post is not always the case. If you believe someone is living a happy or sad life, don’t follow them.

Being body neutral gives you more opportunities to have a healthy relationship and be happy with your body. A few small changes to your lifestyle can make all the difference in how you live your life. It will pay off to accept your body as it is.

How do you practice body neutrality?

To practice body neutrality in relation to exercise, you’re best served by not having a goal beyond moving your body because it feels good and healthy to do so.

Exercise Roller skating.

Swimming.
Dance class.
A home dance party.

Live action role playing.
Cleaning.
Playing a musical instrument.

What is the difference between body positivity and body neutrality?

The body positive approach says you are beautiful no matter what your body looks like. The body neutral approach says, it doesn’t matter if you think your body is beautiful or not, because what you look like is irrelevant to your value, happiness, and satisfaction in life.

Why the body positivity movement is toxic?

Thin-shaming slimmer people One of the easiest tell-tale signs that the body positivity movement has become toxic is when people feel comfortable shaming thinner people. “Are you sure you’re eating?” “Men like real women with curves.”

What is body neutrality and what does it have to do with you a man?

At its core, body neutrality is the idea that you can exist without having to think too much about your body one way or another, positive or negative. You can simply exist and be worthy of respect without thinking about your body at all. Or, feeling good about it one day and not as good about it the next.

How can I accept my body?

Here’s how it works.

Challenge unhelpful thoughts.
Focus on what your body is capable of.

Participate in realistic affirmations.
Wear clothes that fit and that you feel great in.
Base your health care on self-care.

Follow a variety of people on social media.
Get out of the habit of talking about bodies.

What are the advantages of body neutrality?

Less judgment, less stress, and better intuition as results of body neutrality make for pretty great mood boosters. The act of practicing body neutrality can lead to all of those, and from there, you may find yourself in a better mood more often than you could have imagined.

Can you be healthy fat?

So the answer to the question is essentially yes, people with obesity can still be healthy. However, what this study, and prior research, shows us is that obesity even on its own carries a certain cardiovascular risk even in metabolically healthy individuals.

What is the difference between body positivity and body acceptance?

Body positivity is rooted in the fat acceptance movement. This movement started in the 60s and later expanded into the body positive movement. Fat acceptance is all about treating fat bodies with respect and eliminating fat-shaming. It’s also about acceptance and reclaiming the word “fat” as a neutral descriptive word.