Discussing Body Positivity. Again.

Discussing Body Positivity. Again.

Yesterday, I saw three billboards on the Western Express Highway in Mumbai at close intervals, with antithetical themes. The first was a fashion brand displaying the availability of extra large clothing options and bragging about being one of the few brands to stock them. This was followed by a gym advertising its fitness packages. And the last was a famous weight loss centre advertisement with their ‘before/after’ transformation pictures in all their glory.

While discussions on body positivity are on the rise and there has been a breakthrough in challenging and dismissing the stereotypical attractive female body, how much is all of this of real help to those who struggle with body image issues?

Yes, I will generalize when I say what I say next. I’ve heard that if you work out more than enough, your arms get ‘beefy’ or your body ‘disproportionate.’ If you don’t work out enough, you’re lethargic and sloppy. What is this ‘enough’ and who decides it? You’re either too skinny, or too plump or too tall or too short or have too much belly fat or too. You either apply too much makeup or too little, wear too fashionable clothes or too comfortable ones. Yadda yadda yadda. I think you get my point.

I think I’m about too tired right now of hearing so many varied unwanted opinions on how I should be because meeting these standards is about as impossible as the round rotis I’m supposed to be a pro at.

“But hey, why are you so bitter?” or “can you give me a solution instead of cribbing?” No. I can’t propose a novel suggestion to magically cure all problems. However, I think that talking about this more might just alleviate our complexes. I suggest you don’t dismiss complexes possessed felt by those who probably already possess your dream bodies because everyone with issues needs some help. I wish we would all support each other and ensure positivity.

In this regard, I am indeed blessed to have family and friends who boost my morale and help me out in reducing my body insecurities. So, folks, keep calm and help out a buddy!

Opinions expressed are of the writer.

This article was first published on Safecity, as a part of the writer's movement by Rudhdi Walawalkar is a first year law student at ILS Law college, Pune. She reads, writes and paints as much as she eats and sleeps! I think it’s nice to have an opinion in a world where everyone wants to be politically correct. Passionate about women’s right, cats, dogs and pretty much everything under the sun. Oh! I always strive to be a better Gryffindor- where dwell the brave at heart.