Dear KJ: How Can I Get My Trainer at the Gym to Stop Making Body-Shaming Comments?
Athletes, Body Image, Weight Stigma"Dear KJ" is a monthly advice column by Dr. Kjerstin "KJ" Gruys, sociologist, author, and body image activist. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology with a focus on the politics of appearance and is the author of Mirror Mirror Off the Wall: How I Learned…
How Purity Culture Made Me Ashamed of My Body
Body Image, Special TopicsIn the grocery store checkout line in suburban Orange County, Calif., my mom looked at me and said, “watermelon.”It was our code word for “stand up straight.” I was a preteen, taller than all my friends, and was constantly slouching.…
No One Believed I Could Have an Eating Disorder in a Fat Body
Activism, Body Image, Recovery, Weight StigmaWhen I started @iamdaniadriana five years ago, I never thought that I would amass nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram. My dream when I started @iamdaniadriana was to give a voice to those who have felt marginalized from the eating disorder…
Respect My Disabled Body
BIPOC, Body Image, Bullying, Special TopicsDuring my teenage years, I was very confrontational. I was also very angry and embarrassed to be in my body. This anger and shame, encouraged me to yell at and hate the strangers I caught staring at me in public places. The staring happens…
6 Ways to Enjoy a No-Pressure Valentine’s Day (Regardless of Your Relationship Status!)
Body ImageValentine’s Day can be difficult as it emphasizes the “special someone” in your life. There are set expectations of roses, chocolates, and candle-lit dinners but here are some ways to reclaim the day and make it about the most special…
How I’m Using My Love of Art to Promote Body Positivity
Activism, Body ImageAsk people what they see in an abstract piece of art, and chances are they won’t say the same thing. Every individual shape is a unique interpretation, and this different experience for every viewer is a communication channel between the artist's…
Looks Matter, But They Don’t Define Who We Are
Body Image, RecoveryI am six years old, staring at the mirror, knowing there’s a difference between pretty and ugly. I know who’s “pretty” and who’s "ugly;” even my six year old self, learning to write e's and j's, to paint rainbows with my fingers,…
8 Body-Positive Black Role Models to Follow on Instagram Right Now
BIPOC, Body Image, Special TopicsIn honor of Black History Month, we are applauding some of the incredible members of the Black community who spread positivity one Instagram post at a time. Their messages of hope and love are inspirational to all people, regardless of skin…
Here’s Why You Should Think Twice About That “Innocent” Comment About My Body
Body ImageI study languages. I grew up speaking English and Korean at home, and now I’m fluent in Modern Standard Arabic with the ultimate goal of teaching Arabic to native English speakers. World peace requires a bridge between languages to be formed…
5 Ways to Stay Positive in the Face of January Diet Campaigns
Body Image, RecoveryWe’re over a week into the new year and you've likely encountered a plethora of diet ads telling you that happiness can only be achieved through weight loss. I'm calling BS on that idea.
So often, the prospect of the new year is poisoned…