How Former Anorexia Sufferer 'BodyPosiPanda' Is Inspiring Body Positivity

How This Former Anorexia Sufferer Is Inspiring Body Positivity
|

A woman who previously suffered from anorexia nervosa is setting the internet alight with her body-positive mantras.

Megan, 22, is the woman behind body-positive website and Instagram account 'BodyPosiPanda' on which she aims to show that it is possible to change how you feel about your body.

"I'm a recovered anorexic, recovered self-loather, trying my best to shatter the 'not good enough' mentality we've all been taught about our bodies," she writes on her site.

"I'm also a big fan of belly roll love, exposing diet industry lies, and wearing pastels."

An image Megan shared on her Instagram account

The positive body-image campaigner and feminist first struggled with anorexia nervosa in 2007.

But now she believes she is "fully recovered" as she has a commitment to a new outlook on body positivity.

In her blog, Megan explains three simple steps which enabled her to become more body positive.

1. Change what you see.

According to the blogger there is often "little representation" of diversity in the bodies that we see around us and, as a result, we believe that other bodies "just don't make the cut".

But it's time to take the blindfold off and take control.

"Turn off the channels that only glorify one body type and close the pages that sell you whitewashed one dimensional ideals," she writes.

"Fill your social media up with a plethora of perfection. Find the plus size models and the body positive activists.

"Once you widen your spectrum of what the 'perfect' body is, it will be a lot easier to recognise that yours fits right in there with them."

2. Get feminist.

Megan wholeheartedly believes that body positivity is a feminist issue.

"It's undeniable that the prime targets for the diet and beauty industries over the years have been women (including anyone who identifies as a woman)," she says.

So, in order to overcome this, she advises channeling that "feminist indignation".

"Get mad about all the lies we're taught that hold us down. Break free from the chains and realise that you are so much more than just your body."

3. Make the commitment.

The final lesson from Megan is that you must promise to stay on the body positive journey.

"There will be days when you leave the house and are immediately bombarded with conversations about losing the last few pounds and being 'naughty' eating dessert, and the lure of diet culture will rear its ugly head," she says.

"And that's okay! You have the strength inside you already, to keep going."

"I'm not trading in any more pieces of myself for an empty promise of happiness hiding in my bathroom scales," Megan writes on Instagram. "We deserve better.

"Let's take our happiness now, just as we are. No more self loathing. No more comparing ourselves to photoshopped ideals. No more believing in the lies. We've all been through enough."

Amen to that, sister.

Spotting The Signs Of An Eating Disorder
Pre-occupied thoughts about food, weight and cooking(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Avoiding social situations that involve food and eating alone or in secret(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Mood swings, depression and irritability(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Being nervous or indecisive around meal times, especially if the eating place is particularly public such as a university canteen or restaurant(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Measuring Self Worth Based on Weight Loss(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Compulsive Exercise (06 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Difficulty Concentrating (07 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
Being very aware of other people's eating habits, weight and diets(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)

Useful websites and helplines:

Beat, call 0845 634 7650 or email fyp@b-eat.co.uk

Samaritans, open 24 hours a day, on 08457 90 90 90

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393

[H/T Metro]