Monica is an aspiring doctor turned aspiring biomechanical engineer turned personal trainer…LOL. She pursued this career for the same reason most do – to serve others and help them live their best lives, recognize their own potential, work through developing sustainable habits in ways they enjoy, etc. She loves watching the body move and it amazes her how unique everyBODY truly is. There is no one-size-fits-all. As life evolves, our approach evolves – mentally, physically, and emotionally. Check out her work and learn more here.
First – A Call For Courage To Neutralize Body Shaming
Body shaming culture refers to a societal phenomenon where people are judged, criticized, or made to feel inadequate based on their physical appearance.
It is fueled by misrepresentations of unrealistic beauty standards that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, which can occur both in online and offline settings.
In reality, we should celebrate our bodies because they are uniquely ours – they are literally and scientifically wonders of the universe, and they carry us through every moment of our lives.
Our bodies are incredible machines, capable of extraordinary feats and experiences. They are canvases of nature’s art where each curve, freckle, scar, and imperfection tells a story of resilience, strength, and individuality. By celebrating our bodies, we cultivate self-acceptance and foster a positive relationship with ourselves.
Embracing our bodies allows us to reject societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards, freeing us from the constant comparison and self-criticism that can erode our self-esteem. When we celebrate our bodies, we embrace gratitude for their functionality and appreciate the diverse forms they take. It empowers us to prioritize self-care, nourish our bodies with kindness, and focus on overall well-being rather than solely external appearance. Celebrating our bodies is an act of self-love, a recognition of our inherent worth, and a powerful affirmation of our unique beauty.
Listen To Your Body With Body Neutrality
Body neutrality is a concept that emphasizes shifting the focus away from one’s physical appearance and instead directing attention toward the functionality and well-being of the body. Of accepting your body and being grateful for it, even on days where you may not feel “positive” about your body. By now you may have a feeling that body neutrality differs from body positivity. The former is the belief and practice of accepting and loving one’s body as it is, promoting self-acceptance and challenging societal beauty standards, to find safety and appreciation. The latter aims to have positivity all the time, which sounds great and the quotes below can help create more instances of positivity and a practice of positivity, but don’t feel you “must” be positive about your body, all the time.
When you embrace the concept of body neutrality, it is comparable to finding a cozy middle ground where we don’t have to love or hate our bodies, but rather appreciate and accept them for what they can do. Instead of constantly judging ourselves based on appearance, we redirect our attention to the amazing things our bodies allow us to experience—like dancing, hiking, or simply giving someone a warm hug.
It’s about valuing ourselves beyond our physical shell and recognizing that our worth is not determined by our looks. By adopting a body-neutral approach, we can foster more peace in the relationship with our bodies, prioritize self-care, and focus on what truly matters: living our lives to the fullest and celebrating all the incredible things our bodies enable us to do.
Top 10 Body Positive Quotes
Incorporating body positivity quotes into your practice can help offset or neutralize the negative moment, fostering self-compassion, and encouraging resilience. Little things you do each day, that you say to yourself both privately while you’re looking in the mirror, and when you’re in public or around friends, can have a profound influence on your self-talk. They can be powerful tools to challenge negative body image beliefs and create a more positive and supportive mindset.
Take a closer look at some examples of motivating body positive quotes:
1. “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.” – Blake Lively
This quote stresses that true beauty radiates from within and is not solely dependent on external appearances. Confidence is an empowering quality that can enhance one’s attractiveness and presence. When we feel confident in ourselves, it positively impacts how we carry ourselves, interact with others, and navigate the world. It transcends physical attributes and allows our inner light to shine through.
Blake Lively’s quote reminds us that confidence is a powerful accessory that surpasses any clothing or adornment. It encourages us to cultivate a positive mindset, practice self-care, and nurture our self-esteem.
2. “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously.” – Sophia Bush
Sophia Bush’s quote beautifully captures the idea that we are constantly evolving beings. It reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect or have everything figured out to be considered valuable and worthy. We can embrace our unique bodies, qualities, and talents, recognizing the masterpiece that exists within us, while also acknowledging that we are always growing and learning.
It emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and understanding that our journey is a continuous work in progress, filled with opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and personal transformation.
3. “Your body is not wrong. Society’s narrow-minded view of ‘beauty’ is.” – Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham’s quote challenges society’s limited definition of beauty and encourages individuals to reject the notion that their bodies are flawed. It empowers people to embrace their unique bodies and reject external standards.
And the best part? It captures the need for a more inclusive and accepting perspective that celebrates diversity and rejects body shaming.
4. “Your body is not an ornament, it is the vehicle to your dreams.” – Taryn Brumfitt
Taryn Brumfitt’s quote reminds us that our bodies are not mere objects of decoration but rather essential tools that enable us to pursue our aspirations. It emphasizes the importance of appreciating our bodies for their functionality and the incredible things they allow us to accomplish.
5. “Don’t let your mind bully your body.” – June Tomaso Wood
This quote serves as a reminder to be kind and compassionate towards our bodies. It encourages us not to let negative thoughts or self-criticism dominate our minds, but instead cultivate a positive and nurturing relationship with our bodies.
6. “There is no wrong way to have a body”- Glenn Marla
That power statement challenges the notion that there is a singular, ideal body type. It emphasizes that all bodies are valid and deserving of respect, regardless of shape, size, or appearance. It promotes inclusivity, and body diversity, and rejects the judgment or shaming of individuals based on their physical attributes.
7. “You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” – Amy Bloom
This is a good affirmation to remind us that our imperfections and flaws do not diminish our beauty. It emphasizes the idea that true beauty lies in embracing our authentic selves, with all our quirks and imperfections. It celebrates the uniqueness and inherent beauty that exists within each individual, beyond societal standards of perfection.
8. “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel
This thought-provoking piece of advice highlights that true beauty stems from embracing our authentic selves. It emphasizes that when we choose to be genuine about who we are, we radiate a captivating beauty that goes beyond external appearances and resonates from within.
9. “The scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength, or love.” – Steve Maraboli
Steve Maraboli’s quote sheds light on the narrow perspective of relying on the scale for self-worth. It reminds us that our worthiness and radiance transcend a mere number. Beauty, talent, purpose, vitality, potential, resilience, and love cannot be contained within numerical bounds, revealing the extraordinary layers that make us who we are.
10. “Confidence is not ‘they will like me.’ Confidence is ‘I’ll be fine if they don’t.'” – Christina Grimmie
Christina Grimmie’s powerful quote revolutionizes our understanding of confidence, reshaping it into something extraordinary. Instead of desperately seeking validation from others, she encourages us to embrace self-assurance as the ultimate key to true confidence. She unveils the secret that genuine confidence stems from within, unaffected by the ever-changing tides of outside opinions. With an unwavering focus on self-acceptance and resilience, she reminds us that our worth is not determined by external validation, but rather by our unyielding belief in ourselves.
Love Your Body This WAY
We should celebrate our bodies because they are unique and deserving of love and appreciation. Each body carries its own story, experiences, and capabilities. Celebrating our bodies fosters a positive self-image, boosts self-esteem, and enhances overall well-being.
A small step towards body neutrality can start by expressing daily gratitude for a specific body part. On that note, let’s sum up the blog post with an example of showing gratitude for our hands:
“Today, I want to express deep gratitude for my hands. These marvelous tools have been with me every step of my journey, serving me in countless ways. They allow me to create, to express myself through art, writing, and music. With these hands, I can reach out and connect with loved ones, offering comfort and support. These hands help me explore the world, touch, and experience textures. From the simplest tasks like tying shoelaces to the intricate movements of playing an instrument, my hands empower me. Today, I honor and appreciate these incredible extensions of myself, acknowledging their incredible role in shaping my life. Thank you, hands, for all that you do.”