Women’s bodies have always been a heated topic of conversation — and even when not explicitly discussed, there is still a large pressure for women to look a certain way in order to gain approval, whether in the workforce, dating scene, or among peers. And if you don’t fit the mould, you might experience body shaming or self-inflicted body negativity.

Focus on your body’s health, not looks.

Be aware of what is healthy for your body. Only you and your physician can have this conversation. According to most medical professionals that I have interfaced with, and just from observation, there does not appear to be a “one size fits all” approach to what this means. Different medical professionals might even give out varying medical advice, according to their own specialty and background.

If there is a threat to your health and it affects your relationship with your body, then it is worth exploring first and foremost to see with your doctor what changes, if any, need to be made.

Stand Up For Yourself

Fatness is perceived as undesirable by most people and they barely can fathom the concept that all body types are beautiful. So next time when someone condemns your looks, don’t just curl up inside. Speak out that’s in your mind and be clear with your message. Remember, your motive isn’t to humiliate them in turn. Instead, your wisdom lies in recognizing their suppressed body-phobia and touch them on that. Stand up against such bullying not for the sake of recollecting your integrity but for showing how much you believe what you’re about to say. Now you know what your reply is going to be when someone says, “You look so fat!” Swap that “No, I don’t” with an unflinching “What is wrong with fat anyway?”

Befriend More Body-Positive People

As much as it is lethal to undermine others on their body structure, nastiest is when you yourself lose self-belief and self-love. I am aware how situations or some ignorant people can make you feel disgusted towards yourself but that is where your strength lies – to fight it. In order to do that, make your circle full of body-positive people. Thin, skinny, fat or dark – identify those who neither gossip about others’ looks nor are ashamed of walking out on the street with a head held high. Trust me, they know the answers to your apprehensions and the more you surround with such optimists, you gift yourself the ability to make your life beautiful.