Beyond Size: Embracing True Wellness

For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with the feeling that my body wasn’t “right.” Growing up in the 90s, when society was obsessed with thinness and narrow ideas of health, I often felt judged solely on my weight. Comments like “you have such a pretty face” or “you just need a bit more willpower” made me feel as though my worth was linked directly to my appearance.

This constant pressure led to a never-ending cycle of dieting and weight gain, which only deepened my feelings of inadequacy. Despite my achievements and how I felt inside, my appearance seemed to overshadow everything else, making me feel as though I was constantly failing.

Adding to this, I have faced moments in doctor’s offices where my concerns were dismissed, with weight being blamed for any issue, regardless of the actual symptoms I was experiencing. These experiences reinforced the notion that my body was a problem to be fixed rather than a unique part of who I am.

This is the reality for so many of us. We are constantly fed messages that suggest only one type of body is “healthy,” and that anyone who does not fit this mould should be working to change themselves. This kind of thinking distorts the way we see ourselves and others, pushing us towards harmful diets and rigid exercise regimes, all in the name of fitting into an ideal that simply is not realistic for most people.

It is crucial to recognise that people of larger sizes can absolutely enjoy good physical health. Many individuals with higher body weights maintain healthier habits than some of their thinner counterparts. We should not assume that body size or shape is a definitive indicator of health. True wellness involves a balance between physical and mental health. In our obsession with exercise and diet culture, we often overlook how vital mental well-being is to overall health.

Through my journey, I have come to understand that our bodies are not problems that need to be fixed. There is not one “right” way to look or one single path to health. Health can exist at different sizes, and it is something that will hopefully change with time and circumstance. What matters most is caring for yourself and recognising that your body, as it is today, is deserving of respect and care.

At Dash Access and Inclusion Services, we stand against these harmful ideals and support a broader, more compassionate view of body image. This Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we invite you to join us in challenging the damaging messages of diet culture and embracing the diversity of all bodies—because every body has value, no matter the size.