Beauty campaigns like the “Love Your Body” campaign and the fashion industry hiring more models with different body types inspired people from different backgrounds to love and accept their bodies.
Georgia State alumnus Corey Vaughter admits that he learned to love his body despite suffering from low self-esteem.
Vaughter struggled in the past with not feeling “good enough,” and it damaged his confidence.
“I try to stay empowered about myself, although sometimes I find it difficult,” he said. “I had to learn how to train myself to think differently because you are what you believe you are.”
Vaughter took the time to make improvements to his physical and mental wellbeing. He believes that the key to body positivity is believing in himself and knowing who exactly he is.
“I work out and make it a part of my routine to speak positively about myself after my workout,” he said. “I tell myself that I’m proud of myself for looking good, and there is nothing I can’t do.”
Junior Joslyn Cox learned to acknowledge the things she loves about herself rather than focus on her flaws, but she admits that she has struggled to accept her weight.
“In the past, I was underweight, but I have gained weight [and] my stomach has gotten larger,” she said. “Although the people in my life assure me that it looks good, I do not like it.”
Cox said that social media helped improve her thoughts about her body.
“Social media shows a lot of celebrities undergoing many surgeries to alter their bodies, but … seeing a plus-size woman like Lizzo being so comfortable in her own body definitely motivates me,” she said.
Despite her negative feelings about her weight, Cox says she counteracts her insecurities with things she loves about herself.
“I was, at one time, really insecure about my height, but now I have learned to love it,” she said. “I’ve learned that we are all made different for a reason, and being comfortable yourself is really a boost to your self-esteem.”
Junior Darius Bethea transformed his once-low self-esteem into confidence-building motivation.
Bethea explains that he suffered from low self-esteem in the past due to his weight, but he used his insecurities to push himself in the right direction.
“I immediately started exercising and taking walks around Stone Mountain Park,” he said. “I also started cutting back on certain fatty food.”
Bethea often felt encouraged during his journey when he saw personal trainers that promote weight loss through healthy eating and constant exercise on social media. He learned to love his body and wants others to feel the same.
“I feel that my body is built amazing[ly],” he said. “Anyone struggling with self-esteem should practice autosuggestion where you are constantly feeding positive thoughts about your body to you[rself] until it registers.”
Each of these students proves that acceptance of one’s body leads to an overall healthier mentality.
