Body positive

Body positive? What's this Anglicism we hear more and more in the media? Well, it simply means loving your body, being positive about it . Literally, these two words mean "body" and "positive" in English. You can even find this play on words in the title of your magazine: The Body Optimist! More than just a name, we consider it of paramount importance. The body positive (or "bopo") spirit is a cornerstone of our editorial line . For us, all women are beautiful and all bodies are worthy of being represented and celebrated. And you can see for yourself by exploring our "Body Positive" section. Ready? Let's go!

The women decided to lead by example

Even though more and more men are taking part in this movement to accept all bodies by supporting it or by exposing themselves , it is worth noting that it is women who have been leading it since its inception. Hundreds of thousands of them are posting photos on social media, testimonials and even starting their own projects, beautifully overcoming all the obstacles in their path. We think, for example, of this woman who weighs 136 kilos and who decided to become a yoga teacher despite the criticism, or of the blogger Curvy Riot who stages herself in absolutely hilarious parodies of stars. We also really like to tell you about artistic projects like the one set up by Cinta Tort Cantro, covering women's stretch marks with glitter . It goes without saying that we also cover current body-positive topics. Take, for example, the collaboration between Bilal Hassani (Eurovision) and the plus-size dancer Lizzy Howell . We also give a voice to all those who wish to testify to their fight for changing mentalities, such as Cyrianne Bataille, Miss Ronde Île-de-France 2019.

Body-positive movements and events around the world

While some chose to work alone, others opted to come together to form body-positive action groups . Their message has been so widely shared that they have succeeded in uniting thousands of women around the world! For example, consider the women of all shapes and sizes who posted photos of themselves in swimsuits. The goal? To remind all women that to look beautiful in a swimsuit, all you have to do is put one on ! A little cheer for France: French women are ultra-active and new movements are emerging almost every month ! Take the example of "Telle que vous êtes" in which several women pose in lingerie, the hashtag #JeKiffeMonDécolleté to put creepy guys in their place or the movement " Je pèse plus de 70 kilos et alors? ". We also really like the fact that brands are finally becoming inclusive by hiring curvy women, plus-size women, black women, disabled women... It was about time we understood that it's fashionable to adapt to all women and not the other way around ! And it's not just about brands that offer plus sizes. We've seen Nike display a plastic mannequin with very generous curves in one of its stores, H&M stop retouching cellulite on its models , and Gillette work with an obese woman for its latest advertising campaign . It's impossible not to be excited about all these changes... And this is just the beginning !

Everyday life tips for learning to accept your body

Being body positive is something you learn every day. Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to love and accept our body shape 100%. That's also what our "Body Positive" section is here for . We guide you step by step, giving you valuable and easy-to-apply advice on how to accept your stomach or thighs, for example . We also use the beautiful photos provided by all the lifestyle influencers. Moreover, we also don't hesitate to tell you about all the advice they give to their subscribers. Take, for example, Emma Jay, who explains how to fly without stress when you're overweight, or Fitty Brittty, who gives daily tips on how to look on the bright side of life and celebrate your body as it is . We remain committed to activism, regularly denouncing fatphobia . For us, educating society is essential, and this begins in early childhood. Let's remember that obesity is a disease. The intolerance that stems from it is therefore absolutely unacceptable . Being body positive also means conveying messages that everyone can understand. Of course, we also mustn't forget to pay tribute to all the body-positive models who inspire us with their incredible photos, but who also fight every day for the acceptance of all bodies. We're thinking, for example, of plus-size model Ashley Graham, this stunning model with vitiligo , or those photographers who love curvy women and celebrate their beauty through sublime photographs. Finally, we also remain very attentive to current events. These days, it's not uncommon to see prominent French women speaking out against all kinds of societal pressures . For example, Miss France 2019 Vaimalama Chaves , or her counterparts Camille Cerf and Iris Mittenaere, didn't hesitate to tell off the haters criticizing their bodies. Being body positive is a state of mind, a philosophy of life . You can find all this news and much more in the "Body Positive" section of your magazine. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings on our forum . A safe, supportive space where everyone is welcome!