More Than Mountain-Ready: Embracing Your Body in the Land of Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hey there, Utah! In a state known for its outdoor recreation and health-conscious culture, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking there's only one "right" way to have a body. Whether it's pressure to be "hiking ready" or to fit into that perfect ski suit, body image issues can sneak up on even the most confident among us.

But here's the thing: your worth isn't measured by how quickly you can summit Mount Olympus or how you look in yoga pants. Your body is incredible just as it is – it carries you through life, lets you experience the beauty of our state, and deserves to be celebrated, not constantly critiqued.

So let's talk about how to embrace body positivity in a culture that sometimes seems obsessed with "health" and fitness.

10 Ways to Cultivate Body Positivity in the Beehive State

1. Redefine "Healthy" Health is about how you feel, not just how you look.

Try this: Make a list of non-appearance-related ways your body serves you. Maybe it's "my legs let me play with my kids" or "my arms let me hug my friends."

1. Find Joyful Movement Exercise should be about feeling good, not punishing your body.

Try this: Explore different types of movement until you find what you genuinely enjoy. Maybe it's dancing at a class in Sugar House or paddle boarding at Jordanelle Reservoir.

1. Practice Intuitive Eating Listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues, not external food rules.

Try this: Next time you eat, pay attention to how different foods make you feel. Eat what makes you feel good, energized, and satisfied.

1. Curate Your Social Media Your feed should inspire, not deflate you.

Try this: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about your body. Follow diverse body-positive accounts instead.

1. Wear Clothes That Feel Good Don't wait to "earn" the right to wear what you love.

Try this: Wear the hiking shorts, the swimsuit, the ski outfit – whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident, regardless of your size or shape.

1. Challenge Negative Self-Talk Your inner critic isn't always right.

Try this: When you catch yourself in negative self-talk, ask "Would I say this to a friend?" If not, try to reframe it more kindly.

1. Appreciate Body Diversity Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that's beautiful.

Try this: Next time you're at a crowded place like City Creek Center or Liberty Park, notice and appreciate the diversity of bodies around you.

1. Focus on How You Feel, Not How You Look Shift your focus from appearance to experience.

Try this: After a hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon, instead of critiquing how you looked, focus on how it felt to breathe the fresh air and see the beautiful views.

1. Treat Your Body with Kindness Your body deserves care and respect, always.

Try this: Do something nice for your body each day. Maybe it's using a luxurious lotion, taking a relaxing bath, or simply thanking your body for all it does.

1. Seek Support When Needed Changing ingrained body image issues can be challenging. It's okay to ask for help.

Try this: Consider talking to a therapist who specializes in body image issues. Many Utah therapists are embracing Health at Every Size (HAES) principles.

Remember, body positivity is a journey, not a destination. Some days will be easier than others, and that's okay. The goal isn't to love your body every single second, but to treat it with respect and kindness, no matter what.

[Call to Action: Struggling with body image issues? Let's work through it together. Schedule a session and we'll explore strategies to help you cultivate a more positive relationship with your body.]