Body Positive Power

I feel like everything I've often wondered in the last ten years has been written in this book, plus more. I have struggled with weight most of my life. Mostly it's been with a savage easting disorder that landed me in the hospital at the age of 13 which I sort of recovered but as most people with an ED know it stays in the back of your mind where it lies in wait for the next stressful situation to rear it's ugly head. Although I'm average weight I struggle mentally and physically depend on exercise each day. The thoughts that revolve around food, what to eat how much to eat and what others are eating take up way too much space. I also worry about avoiding certain foods due to them being 'off limits' for high calories or the fact that i'll just binge. I have read many books on this subject, as most people with ED do but this one is different because it's not just a memoir but a fleshed out researched book based on facts as well as personal emotions (emotions that me most all share and relate to). It's a call to a revolutionary change. We are so conditioned to look a certain way as if we don't know any other way of living. This so called beauty and health industry has us in the palm of their hands playing on our hope that we too can look like whatever's been dangled in front of our noses on tv, the internet, magazines etc. Not to mention all the people around us; friends, family, people we see out and about (possibly at the gym) who are touting the latest fad diet or workout. We are inundated with the ads for super shakes and smoothies and gym equipment, fitbits and diet manuals to the point where we probably wouldn't know what to fixate on without all these 'health aids'. But I digress. The point is that Megan is introducing a way of life that isn't about what size you are or how your body looks on the outside. She's suggesting a way of being in the world that doesn't make you identify with being the one who works out, skips dessert or keeps it vegan. She's showing us a life that navigates beyond calorie counting or inch or pound counting. It's about experiencing a life that allows you to be freer than you ever thought possible. I have always had it in my mind to be better than I am but equated smaller with happier. I want to let go of that mentality and reading this book is like permission- which of course one shouldn't need but if this is the way to go so bet it-. I want to let go of the way of thinking that i feel we have all been tricked into thinking via 'the industry' and i want to say NOPE! I don't need the culture we have been thrusted into to define me way of life and thinking anymore. I am done with feeling bad about myself for zero reasons any longer. Seriously, why should people feel bad about their body? for eating something that isn't sugar, carb, gluten, fat, whatever else free? For being comfortable in a body that doesn't have any bones showing, for loving yourself and taking care of yourself mentally and physically and not being attached to any sort of diet or workout. Don't get me wrong. I love the energy I get from working out and think people should be active but not for the reasons people are being sold on. Not to chisel and fit in any specific size, but because it feels good. And if you don't like workout out then don't do it. But even those who don't like it probably don't mind walking or working on a project or playing with their kids or pets or something. Thank you for writing this for putting it out in the world as a tool for us to have the option to get on the same page and change the IDEAL body to something you can't see because it's not a single shape. The IDEAL body is the one you have no matter the day or number of calories you eat. It's the one that serves you by getting up the morning and figuring out problems and holding your children and completing a day of work and helping another person out. Perhaps the ideal body is one that smiles and loves itself no matter what.

This is probably the best, most comprehensive book about body politics I’ve ever read. No kidding, no hyperbole. I’m legitimately stunned by the simultaneous complexity, nuance, and inherent accessibility of this text; it takes a seriously talented writer to strike that beautiful balance. Megan Jayne Crabbe (or @bodyposipanda as some of you may know her) has always been an inspiration, and I knew she was a totally incredible human, but the breadth and brilliance of this book gives me a whole new respect for her and her work as an activist. First and foremost, Crabbe knows her stuff. It’s so easy to get body positivity mixed up these days; it’s been hijacked by so many different groups for so many different purposes that the real soul of it is easily lost, misunderstood, or disregarded. Crabbe reminds us that body positivity actually stems from the work of fat activists, queer women, and women of color. It’s so much more than simply “loving yourself.” Body positivity is an entire movement that challenges the institutionalized oppression of bodies that don’t look like the “ideal” (i.e. white-washed, super skinny, impossibly flawless, permanently able-bodied, etc.). It’s about recognizing intersectionality and creating a world where ALL bodies are represented, respected, and celebrated as good bodies– just as they are. It’s about acknowledging and assigning human value not based on what we look like, but based on the fact that we exist. It’s about learning to de-program all the diet culture bullcrap and internalized shame that accumulates within us from the time that we’re born, completely destroying our sense of self-worth and pushing us into committing continued acts of violence against ourselves and others. It’s bringing awareness to the fact that we’ve been set up; the things we think we know about weight and health and worthiness are all messed up: weight is not an accurate indicator of health, obesity is not an epidemic that’s killing us all, DIETS DON’T WORK (and they mess with your body in ways no weight-loss company will EVER tell you about), you are valuable no matter what you weigh, your body evolved to store fat which has nothing to do with laziness, character, or will-power, etc., etc., etc. READ THIS BOOK. If you’re tired of dieting, read this book. If you’re tired of hating your reflection, read this book. If you want to support your loved ones, read this book. If you want to enjoy life and stop obsessing about weight, read this book. If you’re helping other humans with their mental or physical health in your profession, read this book. If you want a better understanding of what it’s like to live in a marginalized body, read this book. If you want real information about health and the weight-loss industry, read this book. If you haven’t heard of body positivity, read this book. READ THIS FREAKING BOOK.

I LOVED this book. I've been following Megan's Instagram account for a while now, and it's seriously my favorite part of Instagram; I look forward to her inspiring, positive posts every day. (I often think of them as important little pep rallies throughout my day.) SO, getting to immerse myself in her words, her ideas, her positivity and inspiration for a WHOLE BOOK was a real treat. Granted, some of the content in the book was anger-inducing (the way women are manipulated by the diet and beauty industries--GRRRR!), but it's so important to recognize these things and learn to see through the manipulation. And the anger itself that was stirred up in me is, I know, valuable; Megan makes a really important point that getting righteously angry about how our ideas and feelings about our bodies are manipulated and distorted (rather than internalizing shame about it) is really the way forward. In many many ways, this book helped me move forward. I'm so grateful to have read it, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

I wish every woman would read this book, it is truly great and informative and reads like talking to a friend!

Libro molto interessante che mi ha aiutata molto nel processo di autoconsapevolezza del mio corpo! In una cultura in cui siamo bombardati da giudizi e pressioni su come dovremmo essere e apparire, c'è veramente tanto bisogno di letture come questa. Il libro è in inglese e molto scorrevole! Il rapporto con la mia pancia non è più stato lo stesso :)

I totally loved it and it helped me a lot. I was struggling a lot with my body image and now I feel like there's a light at the end and I can overcome it!!

When I purchased this book, I truly didn't think it could make much difference to my 58 year old mindset of hating my body/feasting & fasting since age 13/affected mental health that comes with under nourishing a body, fighting every single day to control that eating... blah blah. However, how wrong I was. This book has been a life changer. And Megan I want to thank you right here and now for bringing this book out. I remain indebted. Megans style of writing is easy, concise and incredibly honest. She champions body positivity in such a way that is accessible to all and we are taken along with her through the book with positive direction and suggestion. Megan does not preach, more enlighten and leaves the rest to the reader. But of course by which time, we are empowered, enlightened and in truth free. This may sound like a dramatic review of her book. For which I make no apologies. If there is one book you buy on your way to going on another diet, THIS is the book you need. So many women who have struggled with, starved, hated and been at war with their bodies, will immediately relate to this book. And so many I am sure, will read it and whatever stage they are at in life, actually look back and realise that every single diet, diet food, exercise class, didn't work long term. The one thing that Megan shows is that the only thing long term that will bring you peace, even joy is body acceptance. I wish I had discovered a book similar to this years ago..I could have saved myself 43 years of enormous pain and suffering. Profound, deeply moving and enlightening, this book is amazing. Thank you Megan from the bottom of my big beautiful heart!

Just WOWWWWWWWW I HAVE STARTED TO LOVE MYSELF LIKE MYSELF AND SO HAPPY TO READ THIS BOOK

Very highly recommended. Excellent reading for anyone who has wrestled with body image or just wants to gain a greater understanding of this topic. Thank you Megan.