Your Body Doesn’t Have to Look A Certain Way to Be Good

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Your Body Doesn’t Have to Look A Certain Way to Be Good

Your Body Doesn’t Have to Look A Certain Way to Be Good

In January, it’s easy to feel bombarded by fitness ads and “new year, new you” messages that focus on appearance. But the truth is, your body doesn’t have to look a certain way to be good. You don’t need to earn respect by changing your body - it already deserves respect as it is. This month, Campus Recreation’s Wellness & Fitness Wednesday series, brought to you by Move Your Mood, invites students to explore body respect, body functionality, and body neutrality as healthier, more sustainable approaches to movement and self-care.

Diverse Bodies, Shared Movement

Wellness is not one-size-fits-all. Every body - regardless of size, shape, or ability - deserves the joy of movement. Seeing diverse bodies engaging in activities helps challenge harmful stereotypes and reinforces the idea that fitness is about what you can do, not how you look. Research highlights that inclusive representations of bodies encourage more people to participate in movement without shame (National Eating Disorders Association, 2022).

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What My Body Does for Me

Instead of focusing on how our bodies appear, shifting attention to what our bodies do can foster gratitude and appreciation. Whether it’s walking across campus, carrying groceries, or dancing with friends, bodies enable us to live, learn, and connect. Studies show that a focus on body functionality improves self-esteem and body image over time (Alleva & Tylka, 2021).

Rewriting Toxic Fitness Culture

January often comes with unrealistic expectations driven by diet culture and fitness marketing. Rejecting these pressures allows students to embrace movement as self-care rather than punishment. Building a healthier fitness culture means valuing balance, rest, and authenticity over constant comparison. According to the Mental Health Foundation (2021), reducing appearance-focused messaging helps create more positive relationships with exercise.

Practicing a Body-Neutral Mindset

Body neutrality emphasizes respecting your body without demanding constant love for how it looks. This approach reminds us that “your body is an instrument, not an ornament.” By focusing less on appearance and more on function, students can build a compassionate mindset that supports both physical and mental well-being (Center for Discovery, 2023).

University & Community Support for Eating Disorders

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, ��ҹ��վ and London offer several compassionate and confidential supports:

��ҹ��վ’s Peer Support Centre—a safe, student-run space offering peer listening and referrals to campus counseling and health resources. Located at UCC 38, ��ҹ��վ Peer Support Centre, you can call or visit for help navigating available services .

Good2Talk—a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline for post-secondary students in Ontario—can be a first-step resource to share concerns and get guidance .

Adult Eating Disorders Service (AEDS) through London Health Sciences Centre provides outpatient, day-treatment, and residential support for adults dealing with various eating disorders. Referrals require a physician .

Eating Disorders Residence—an eight-bed residential program linked to AEDS, offering around-the-clock community-based support and care .

H.A.V.E.N. Program—for youth, this community-based service supports those with disordered eating or diagnosed eating disorders in a multidisciplinary environment, including family support components .

CMHA Thames Valley (TVAMHS)—offers mental health and addiction services, including support for eating disorder recovery and recovery residence partnership; they are available to London and surrounding areas .
In addition, local mental health professionals specializing in eating disorders—including psychologists, social workers, and psychotherapists—are available in London for in-person or virtual support (e.g., Philip Masson, Leah Marcoccia, etc.) .

This January, remember that you don’t owe anyone a “before and after.” Your body doesn’t have to look different from what it is to be valuable - it’s already enough. By celebrating functionality, embracing inclusion, rejecting toxic expectations, and embracing a body-neutral mindset, you can approach movement with respect, balance, and joy.

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