I recently gained over 60 pounds (27 kg). It can be attributed to a lot of things: moving around less due to my disability, the medication used to treat the illness that causes my disability (curse you, Prednisone!), eating good, but it doesn’t matter. The weight is here, my body is what it is, and I have to clothe it.
Unfortunately, we do not live in a body neutral world, so it’s not easy for everyone to take that approach. I won’t deny that some days, I still struggle with it, but you know what helps?
A cute outfit.
Get Acquainted With Your Body
I’m not saying you have to do it right now, even tomorrow, but you have to take the time to just look at yourself. I know, when you’re not used to your body, it becomes second nature to avoid even accidentally seeing all the new features and the absence of others, but, it’s an important step to take.
After a shower, or, in your underwear, or even in something tight-fitting—it’s up to you—I want you to stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself. Start dead on, then turn, look at your side profile, look at your behind, look at every inch you can.
The purpose of this is to figure out not how you’ve changed, but how you are now. You can say “I’ve gained/lost weight” but where? What features would you rather draw attention away from? More importantly, what features do you like? It’s normal to want to conceal certain things, but without getting to know what you love and want to show, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut trying to conceal all of you. And you don’t deserve to be hidden.