It’s almost summertime which means outfits are revealing more skin and bodies are out moving in the sun. It’s a time that can make one feel very conscious of one's body. I remember last summer, I was laying out by the pool and noticing how fit everyone was. I told myself that by this time next summer, I would have a body that’s in better shape. In other words, hot. This summer, I’ve set different body goals for myself. My goal is to pay more attention to the inner sensations in my body. Where in the body am I feeling tension and anxiety? What is my nervous system telling me? What is hurting and what are my limits?
Recently, I’ve seen conversations about the popularity of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs and whether they are compatible with the ethos of body positivity. It reminded me of my conversation for our "Body Conscious" show with body neutrality coach Jessi Kneeland, who argued it was possible to undergo bodily medical procedures, but from a body neutral standpoint. Whether medically necessary or neutral, perhaps we need to shed some more of the shame and baggage around our bodies too.
- Angelo