SIZE 0 VS. SIZE 12: WHO CARES?

3 Ways To Love Yourself

By: Arbia Reyes, Tatiana Grigoryan, and Jillian Curwin

Why is it so tough for us to love ourselves? In today’s generation, with everyone constantly posting on Instagram and Facebook, it is common that young adults suffer from trying to impress everyone else with how they look. The constant pressure of living up to people’s expectations, getting as many likes and comments as possible, leads individuals to change who they truly are inside and out. This desire to change can lead to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. People believe that not eating and over exercising just to be skinny can make themselves happy. However, self-love is the secret to success, satisfaction, and bliss.

Celebrities, just like you and me, also struggle with body confidence. Alexis Ren and Chrissy Teigen are two among many who are open with their battles. Alexis Ren, a 21-year-old Instagram model who earns a living showing off her body, shared that she felt like she was living in a “toxic state of mind.” She was constantly suffering from food guilt and would over exercise as punishment. Over time she realized she needed professional help, and started living her life with a positive outlook and healthy a mind-set. Chrissy Teigen, wife of John Legend, opened up about her body image insecurities and struggle with postpartum depression. She said, “I’ve definitely been really upset with… You know, everyone has a butt now, everyone has curves, and a little waist, and that’s not me.” Nowadays, she is embracing a positive attitude and combating the moments of insecurity with self-love and confidence. It’s easy to believe that celebrities live the perfect life, but a majority struggle with body image and trying to make their real bodies look like how they do through an Instagram filter. 
 
Who to Follow: Alexis Ren and Chrissy Teigen are two of thousands body-positive influencers on social media. Here are more accounts to follow! 

1. Ashley Graham, @ashleygraham- the first size-16 model to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated, founder of the campaign Swimsuits for All 
2. Megan Jayne Crabbe, @bodyposipanda- author of the book Body Positive Power
3. Demi Lovato, @ddlovato- singer, open about her struggles with body image and eating disorder 
4. Olakemi Obi @_olakemi_- founder of the Plus Is Diverse Campaign 
5. Iskra Lawrence, @iskra- AerieREAL Model, founder of “The Mirror Challenge” on Facebook Watch

The fashion industry, in regards to the ideal body, is changing. It is a result of the non-stop work of body positive influencers, including Alexis Ren and Chrissy Teigen, and their followers. Nowadays, it seems that you can’t walk down the streets of New York without seeing a body positive campaign. People are now being encouraged to love themselves the way they are. Brands such as Michael Kors, Nike, Forever 21 and Missguided (just to name a few) are beginning to include a variety of sizes, expanding their collections to include plus sizes. Body positive campaigns such as “The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty,” “Any BODY” movement by Sport Illustrated model Georgia Gibbs and “A Body For Any Body” by Victoria’s Secret  are appearing in the magazines, on TV, and social media on a seemingly endless stream. The body positive movement is a very strong force that is shaping people’s perception about what is beautiful, and it can’t be stopped.



At BellaVita, our mission is to encourage a healthy lifestyle by providing all the tools necessary for complete wellness from the inside, out. Whether you are size 0 or a size 16, when it comes to self-love, there is no “one size fits all.” We embrace self-love because it involves how much a person values and appreciates themselves for who they are. At BellaVita, we focus on working out and looking great from both the inside and out. Together, we strive to show others that beauty chooses no size and shape, all while having a positive mind for a positive life.
Self-perception works hand in hand with self-love because it’s how you think about yourself. You need to realize that you are weakened by negative self-perception and self-esteem. In reality, perfection does not exist. The key is to love yourself and transform those “flaws” into strengths. Appreciate every achievement of yours, whether big or small. Celebrate them and invite others to join you. You do you, love yourself, and everything else will fall into place. 
 
And 3 Ways To Love Yourself 

1. Pamper Yourself!- Do a face mask, paint your nails, get a massage, take a bubble bath. Treat yourself like the queen you are! 
2. Ignore the Numbers- Numbers on the scale or labels don’t matter. What matters is how you feel. Have that piece of chocolate cake, buy that dress that makes you feel like a supermodel. You are more than a number. 
3. Surround yourself with positive people!- Your friends and family love you for who you are, let them. 

 

---

"So when you see someone in the smallest ways inspires you by showing you their flaws- I'm happy to be that person. I'm so fine with it." -Chrissy Teigen