Promoting body positivity



'Don't judge a book by its cover,' the popular saying goes. 'All that glitters is not gold,' is another. 'Fine feathers do not make fine birds,' is a third. What do they have in common? They remind us that something's appearance should not be the most important thing when determining its value. This is what the body positivity movement is all about. Its message is that we should value ourselves for who we are, warts and all – accept our flaws and stop judging ourselves against our imperfections.



But it's easier said than done. Despite this rise in positivity, many people still feel insecure about themselves and their appearance because it may not measure up to the objectified stereotype. So what can a person do to improve their own body positivity?



Not comparing your body to others', particularly celebrities', is a good first step. "We're surrounded by these idealised images of what it is to be beautiful," says Becky Young, founder of the Anti Diet Riot Club – a club helping people rethink their relationship with their bodies and food. She points out that comparing only creates a standard we think we need to aspire to and leads to feelings of disappointment if we aren't up to scratch.



'Learn to take a compliment,' recommends Thriveworks, a counselling and coaching website which promotes positive mental health. When someone says something nice, embrace it – don't push it away or play it down. And compliment others too. If you think someone looks nice, or someone has a good idea, tell them. It can lift them up.



Appreciate your body for what it can do – walking, yoga, playing sport or otherwise. "You can be an incredible human regardless of your shape or size," says Esther Field, a body-positive social media campaigner interviewed by the BBC. After knee surgery, "I attended the gym and realised how strong and capable my body was, even though it was fat."



And finally, don't forget that low self-esteem and body confidence issues affect everyone. "There aren't a lot of guys that are pushing this idea of body positivity," David Fadd, a plus-size male model of two years told the BBC. The social media influencer wants to remind us that body image and confidence affect men too.



Ultimately, the only person who can truly affect your body positivity is you. Becoming comfortable with yourself is unlikely to be accomplished overnight – but don't give up. Remember that everyone is insecure sometimes. And as David Fadd says "be unapologetic about who you are and what you want as a person. Love what you look like."



词汇表

Don't judge a book by its cover 不要以貌取人

All that glitters is not gold [ˈɡlɪtəz] 闪光的并非都是金子

Fine feathers do not make fine birds [ ˈfeðəz] 人不可貌相

body positivity [ˈbɒdi ˌpɒzəˈtɪvəti] 身体自爱，身体自信，身体积极性（指接纳并珍视自己的身体，不因外貌缺陷而评判自我的理念或运动）

warts and all [wɔːts ənd ɔːl] 毫无保留地，包括所有缺点地

flaw [flɔː] 缺点，缺陷

judge against （按照某种标准）对……做出评判

imperfection [ˌɪmpəˈfekʃn] 不完美，缺点

insecure [ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊə(r)] 缺乏自信的，没有安全感的

measure up [ˈmeʒə(r) ʌp] 符合，达到，满足（标准，要求等）

objectified stereotype [əbˈdʒektɪfaɪd ˈsteriətaɪp] 被物化的刻板印象

idealised image [aɪˈdiəlaɪzd] 理想化形象

Anti Diet Riot Club [ˈraɪət] 反节食反抗俱乐部

aspire to [əˈspaɪə(r)] 渴望，追求

up to scratch [skrætʃ] 达到标准，合格

compliment [ˈkɒmplɪmənt] 赞美，称赞

counselling and coaching [ˈkaʊnsəlɪŋ ənd ˈkəʊtʃɪŋ] 心理咨询与辅导

push away 推开，拒绝接受

play down 淡化，不予重视，对……作低调处理

lift up [lɪft ʌp] 使振奋，鼓舞

incredible [ɪnˈkredəbl] 了不起的，极好的

low self-esteem [ˌself ɪˈstiːm] 自卑，低自尊

plus-size [plʌs saɪz] 加大码的，大尺寸的

influencer [ˈɪnfluənsə(r)] 影响者，网络红人

be unapologetic about [ˌʌnəˌpɒləˈdʒetɪk] 坦然接受，对…毫不掩饰



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