AMAA: Making Friends With Your Body
Welcome to "Ask Me Almost Anything" Send us your questions about body image, and join us for the chat!
Navigating body image isn't easy.
On one hand, we know that everything we see on social media and T.V isn't an accurate representation of how bodies always look. But, on the other hand, it's pretty hard to tune all that noise out and fully accept our reflection.
Body positivity and love get spoken about a lot, which is a good thing, but if you're struggling with your body image, you might have felt like feeling "positive" about your body is a huge mountain to climb.
It could also be the case that you think to be positive, there's a list of things you need to do to be happy with your body, which can trigger stuff like yo-yo dieting and excessive exercise. As I said - this stuff is not easy to work out.
Body neutrality is a fairly new perspective. Below is a good description from the Butterfly Foundation:
"Body Neutrality is built upon the idea that a person can exist in their body without thinking about how it looks too much. The body is just that, a body and the focus is very much on function rather than appearance. Not too much thought or energy is given to the body, it is merely a vehicle that moves you through life."
If you want to read the rest of that article, click here.
This month, @Iona-RO is our guest, and we'll be unpacking "making friends with your body". You've probably seen Iona spreading their moderator magic across the community, but here's a little bio:
"Iona has been working as a body neutral personal trainer for 8+ years and specialises in working with people who have chronic illnesses, disabilities, neurodivergencies & mental health concerns.
They are neurodivergent and have chronic illnesses themselves, so they really understand how movement can help with the above, along with the blocks that may pop up along the way. All in all, they are super passionate about supporting people of all abilities with their unique needs, to move their bodies to feel empowered, strong & proud."
Drop a question below, and Iona will answer it on the night! 👇🏽
Event Details
21 Apr 2022, 9:00 AM UTC
21 Apr 2022, 11:00 AM UTC
attending RSVPS (1)
That's a super gentle and kind place to start @Iona_RO
You're right that so many people feel like this. We have a bunch of stories from different young people who share their experiences with body image here which I'd recommend having a look at! It might help reiterate that you truly aren't alone with this.
Thank you for this question! It's so common to experience mixed emotions when dealing with a diagnosis, but that doesn't make it easier. I'm sure many people will relate and gain something from hearing @Iona_RO 's response.
After what feels like years of tests, I have just been given a chronic illness diagnosis. I am relieved to know what is wrong but also really sad. I don't feel at home in my body now knowing I have something wrong with me. Do you have any advice around coming to terms with a health diagnosis?
As someone with a chronic illness and has experienced similar feelings, I totally understand how difficult accepting and moving forward with a diagnosis can be. It's draining, it's a relief, it's validating, it's confusing, it's upsetting and more - all at the same time. It's a lot to cope with. I would like to say first and foremost - there is nothing wrong with you. I know it can be really tough to think that right now, but all bodies are worthy. And you are exceptionally strong to endure everything you've had to, to get to the point of a diagnosis. I know how utterly exhausting it can be to get there.
Coming to terms with your diagnosis isn't easy and unfortunately there isn't any quick fix. But I think concentrating on what your body can do is a good place to start. Take some time to assess what your needs really are, and figure out ways to do things you love, that works for your body. Take things gradually, build up slowly, and rest! Rest is so, so important. Chat to your GP about how they can support you, look into talking to a therapist who can guide you through this time (and beyond) and give your friends/family a heads up on how you would like them to support you too.
"Take some time to assess what your needs really are, and figure out ways to do things you love, that works for your body."
I love this!
I think a lot of the time we're so used to doing things the way able bodied people do, just because that's the way we've always been expected to do it. Even when it can be a struggle for us/make us feel bad/just not work at all for us. So it's a really good exercise to dismantle that a bit and properly understand what really works for us.
I relate to that!
It can feel like a long process of unlearning what our bodies "should do" vs what they can do comfortably.
Great qu 👏 Let's start with the benefits of working towards a healthy body image.
What are the benefits of having a healthy body image?
Personally, I'm not really a fan of the word 'healthy'. It assumes there's a 'right' and a 'wrong' way to feel about your body, and at the end of the day, it's your body and you can feel however you want about it 😊 But the benefits of accepting your body the way that it is - there's benefits all round.
As I've already mentioned, feeling comfortable in your body is a journey, and not something that happens overnight. Especially if your body isn't openly accepted by society (even though it definitely should!). But by working on how you view your body, it can do wonders for your self-worth, your self-confidence & your overall mental health. It can potentially help with social anxiety, eating disorders, certain intrusive thoughts and just your ability to enjoy being you.
I'm so glad you called that out! Moving away from the shame/guilt associated with body image asks us to change our language.
Feeling comfortable is a good goal to have, and as you said it's okay if that takes time.
@Iona_RO I'm so excited to get to know you better tonight. You've got such an interesting story and I so admire the work it's led you to do. Let's start with our first question for the night!
What are some of your experiences with helping people feel good about their bodies?
I've been supporting people with their bodies for over 8 years now 🙂 In that time I've had clients from 8 years to 90 years old, with all different disabilities, chronic illnesses & mental health concerns, with all different sized bodies and all different views on how their bodies 'should' look.
As a personal trainer, I've seen the VERY toxic and harmful side of fitness that unfortunately is still the norm for a lot of gyms and studios. I wanted to change that and created spaces where people could move their bodies safely, without judgement or pressure, and in ways that actually worked for them. I'm all about supporting people to move without focusing on what their body looks like, only focusing on what FEELS good 🙂
I like what you said about focusing on what feels good. Tapping into that is a powerful way of reframing your relationship with your body.
It must be rewarding to play that role in people's experience of making friends with their bodies!!
Definitely! It can take some work to change your mindset, it's something that takes time. But a really positive way to work towards accepting your body and being pals with it!
It's SO rewarding. I really appreciate the trust my clients put in me to support them along their movement journey, and so amazing to see them realising just how great their bodies are!
I can imagine! It can be scary to move and be in your body, so I bet your clients really do have to be vulnerable and trust you with that process.
Totally. It's so important for me to make my clients as comfortable as possible, especially when most people are used to scary, shouty personal trainers! I'm the complete opposite of that 😂
Last thing you want is to be shouted at when you're out of your comfort zone lol
Right?! The whole shouting at people to make them feel bad thing is just really gross. Much better to give praise, encourage rest and modify how to do a movement that works for each unique person. Moving your body should be a fun time, not a traumatic one! 😬
We're chatting about a topic very close to my heart tonight, and I can't wait to get into these questions.
Before we start, I'd like to acknowledge that reading through tonight's conversation might bring up some uncomfortable feelings for some. If you need support, there are a few things you can do:
- Create a thread and share how you're feeling with the online community,
- Butterfly Foundation has a wealth of information and support to offer about body image and eating disorders. If you'd like to chat with a counsellor contact their national helpline a call on 1800 33 4673.
- Lifeline is a helpline you can call on 13 11 14 if you're feeling unsafe and need crisis support.
Oh, hey community 😎
So excited to be chatting with you @Iona_RO tonight about "making friends with your body."
Welcome to your first Ask Me Almost Anything!
Thanks @Bre-RO 😊
I'm really looking forward to chatting about this and answering everyone's questions!
Just wanted to firstly give a quick TW as I know talking about body image can bring up some topics that might be triggering to some of the community. So keep yourself safe and bring on the questions!
Tonight's the night 🥳 @Iona_RO and I will be answering your questions and chatting between 7 and 9 pm.
We hope to see you all there!
