Body Positive Power: How to stop dieting, make peace with your body and live

I have been meaning to get around to writing this review for a long time, but life gets in the way as it does and I never quite found the 10 minutes I needed to articulate my thoughts about this book. I first became aware of Megan (BodyPosiPanda) when I stumbled across her on Instagram Discover over two years ago. Sadly like 21 year old girls; I hated my body. I had for years been routinely starving it, binging on 'guilty foods' when upset and judging my entire self worth upon my size. When I was awarded a scholarship to study abroad (the only recipient out of nearly 400 applicants) I cried because I would have to be photographed shaking hands receiving my scholarship and I didn't want a photo of me circulated as I believed I was too fat. Stumbling across Megan was like taking gasping breaths of fresh air after having been drowning for so long (not that I knew it then but I was drowning in Diet Culture, Fat Phobia and our societies toxic expectations of female bodies). I wasn't sure I believed what I saw - was this woman with the unicorn hair really happy with her size? - but I knew I wanted to see more. I wanted and needed to see photos of a woman with a like mine not portrayed as a 'before' shot but as a healthy happy whole human being enjoying her life. Over the next year with every post she made on instagram a little more of my internalised hatred was chipped away at. I began to eat without fear, I wore clothes I would have NEVER deemed acceptable on my body (rocking a crop top at Pride was such a big deal to me and so many people were SO LOVELY ABOUT IT! Not one person puked because they couldn't see my ribs). Megan helped me learn to love my body and although there's still bad moments - like seeing a photo and having an instant "eurgh!" reaction before backtracking and forcing myself to examine those thoughts - I have found happiness thanks to her. So it could be argued this book came a little late for me, Megan had already worked her magic. But I still knew that I needed to support her magical'ness and purchase a copy for me and many more for birthday presents for all my friends (honestly, every birthday since this book's release has included a copy!). But I've realised something since reading (and rereading parts because they were so amazing), this book may have come "late" for me .. But only because in a year of eeking it out via instagram posts Megan imparted her wisdom slowly to me. Anyone who is new to the body positivity party and has never heard of Megan won't have to wait a year like I did (literally waiting like a drowning woman for inch by inch of rope to save me), they can read this book that encapsulates all that magic in one go if they like! Someone could experience all that I experienced in 6/8 hours if they're a fast reader and that is the true magic of this book! Bodyposipanda has poured her heart and soul into because of a clear genuine desire to help - just like she does on her instagram, but here you get a whole damn books worth instead of just the odd 150 word caption. I am sure I am not the first (and won't be the last) girl saved by Megan and so many more can and will be saved by this book and that is nothing short of pure magic <3

I'll admit, when I sit down to read I usually gravitate towards fiction...my perfect choice when I want to unwind & escape life for a while. However, Body Positive Power by Megan Jayne Crabbe piqued my interest. After seeing this book multiple times on Instagram, I decided to give it a go. My main thoughts on this book can be summed up in one word. Wow. I'm not going to lie, this book shook me to my core. One thing that I have battled with for years is my self-esteem, and this has been influenced by my weight and looks. I've hated how I look since about the age of 10, and I have battled with my weight & done various diets since the age of around 14. In my mind once I lost weight I would be happy. Once I fit into a size 8 (UK) everything would be better. And you know what, that never happened. My weight went up and down, the diets never worked, and things didn't miraculously get better, nor did I feel happier. Reading Body Positive Power helped me realise that those diets, etc (the fuel for an entire industry) they aren't meant to 'work', they are there entirely for profit. Megan's book has also helped me to see that I am fine just how I am. My body isn't perfect, but it's mine. Yes it doesn't necessarily work perfectly (hello chronic illnesses), but it does work. It allows me to breathe, walk, talk, love, hug my loved ones, and live my life. I'm no longer afraid to look in the mirror. Since reading this book I'm inspired to live my life to the fullest. Rocking a bright red lipstick everyday with my porcelain pale skin (Snow White eat your heart out), and wearing clothes, not to hide my curves, but that make me feel good...that make me smile. Embrace yourself, your softness, your curves & uniqueness. You rock! This book is definitely a must-read for everyone, and a total eyeopener too! ***** stars from me!

I’ve never written a review for anything before, but this time I just had to. Megan’s book is a must-read for anyone who wants to change how they see themselves. This book has made me uncomfortable in the best way. It has challenged so many of my preconceived beliefs about my body, my worth and my reasons for ever wanting to shrink it. It has made rethink all the lessons I was taught growing up. A quick story: I was sitting at my favorite coffee shop after my weekly therapy session. I usually have an hour before work so I sit and read for a while. I’m perched by the window with my latte in hand reading Body Positive Power. I look up and see someone I know. He’s the guy who works at a local bookstore and we chat sometimes. I say hi and he asks what I’m reading. I show him the book and ask if they happen to have gotten a copy at the store. He says no. He then looks at the book, looks at me, and asks me: “But she’s one of the body positive people who aren’t like...obese, right?” I stare at him blankly for a second, knowing exactly what he means to say. That body positivity is just for some people, that body positivity is cool just as long as you fit a certain beauty standard. I took a breath and quoted Megan back to him: “Body positivity is for every body, no matter what size, and anyway, who says you need to be healthy or a certain weight to be worthy of self-love? You deserve to love yourself no matter your health status.” Diet culture is everywhere, even while sitting at my favorite coffee shop reading this book. I’m so glad that, thanks to Megan, I knew how to respond to someone shoving it in my face for the billionth time. This book is great. I’m so happy I bought it and so happy to follow Megan on social media. She says and writes things we all need to hear. P.S.: I just bought a copy of The Beauty Myth. That’s gonna be my next read.

In a world completely obsessed with social media you have to be of extremely strong mind to not get hung up on clean eating, macros and #fitfam. I have had various eating disorders and body inage issues in my life, and even now, aged 30, when I am 6 years weight restored, I still struggle with body image and food, in particular intuitive eating and eating without rules and numbers! I began following Megan on Instagram after reading about her in a magazine, I think she is an inspiration and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her book. It didn't disappoint. This book is so very useful, and super important, whatever your situation, because it focuses on what really matters - happiness! Years of counselling and dietician sessions have failed to teach be about intuitive eating, because even recovery has it's rules and guidelines, but for the first time in my life - thanks to this book - I have begun to learn what "normal" eating is, and it's certainly not calorie counting my Dominos! Megan fights against the media ideals, the "beach body ready" diets and the idea that we all have to look the same. Her book is like having a little pocket counsellor and life coach. I think this book is so important for men, women, boys and girls, because it unmasks the media campaigns that set us all striving for an ideal that doesn't exist without airbrushing, it focuses on the idea that self acceptance is the most important thing of all. Thinking of paying for diet club membership? Save your money, order this book and a large pepperoni pizza instead!

I have found this book incredibly hard to put down. It's very well written and raises some really interesting points and uses evidence well. The only thing I would say is that it seems more directed towards people who have eating disorders, rather than people stuck in the dieters rut! This is not a bad thing though. Definitely has opened my eyes to just how severe eating disorders can be, and just how bad they have to get before medical professionals are willing to help. I myself have a lifelong illness, which hasn't been taken seriously because I'm not losing enough weight. So it speaks to me on that level. I would recommend anyone to read it, and the 'stop reading', 'start reading' bits are so so useful if you're feeling a bit vulnerable!

thankfully i have never spiralled into an eating disorder, but over the past few years i have come very close to being in that situation, after wasting so much of my time obsessing over exercise, skipping meals and counting calories, comparing myself to 'better looking' women and ripping my appearance to shreds. at one point i honestly thought there was no chance of finding a happy medium, all because i couldn't reach the impossible expectations i was subjecting my body to... until i stumbled across the lovely Megan Jayne Crabbe and her unbelievably inspiring book. every page made me breathe a sigh of relief as her words connected identically to how i have been feeling about myself and my body. her astounding intelligence made a gigantic weight lift from my shoulders. i would absolutely recommend this book to anyone... whether you are a parent who is concerned about your child, if you are suffering an eating disorder or making a recovery from one or simply if you are at a constant battle of being sucked in by bizarre societal standards of what 'beauty' should look like. if this book has taught me anything, its that we as human beings have the power to decide what is beautiful NOT magazines and social media websites. embrace yourself as you are... your the only you you've got. thank you Megan!

I am about halfway through and can't put it down. Megan's stories and thinking resonate so much. Having suffered from emotional eating and bullying over my weight as a child, I went through an eating disorder in my teens (Bulimia), followed by huge weight gain, then huge weight loss to great acclaim (yes - I was even one of those before and afters in a magazine at one point) To the outside world it would seem I am one of the 5% - having maintained a 'healthy' weight for 20 years. This has been achieved through endless cycles of restriction, rigorous exercise programs, and yes, even relapses into Bulimia - along with the daily 'calculator' that has been with me ever since, telling me what I should and shouldn't eat. I have never once felt truly happy with my body. This book has made me realise and confront the fact that I still have an eating disorder - my relationship with food and my body is far from healthy and I am really so tired feeling this way. It is a massive relief to read that I am also so so far from alone, and to really understand exactly how the system is making me feel this way on purpose - it is not my fault! This book is giving me hope that I could actually I can learn to love and appreciate my body, and enjoy eating food without any side servings of guilt, fear or morality. And even more importantly, to be able to hopefully teach my son and daughter to love themselves and their bodies just as they are.

I read this book in no time because I struggled to put it down. I feel hopeful for the first time in I don't know how long. This book speaks to me like no one else knows how to. The me that evolved from 14 years of age. I am so tired of dieting, hating myself, caught in a cycle of fail/succeed, bad/good, shame/pride - all stemming from how I look. It's exhausting, and it is NO LIFE! Megan has opened my eyes to a new way to live. It's not about being fat or thin. It's about loving yourself, looking after yourself and being free! I'm so excited starting my journey into Body Postivity. For once I'm not hating myself every single day. It's going to be hard but I'm confident that using this book I can transform my outlook, eat intuitively and start actually living my life, instead of putting it on hold until I 'deserve' to. No more body shame, no more allowing others to define who I am, I'm ready to start LIVING!!!! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends, and will be buying copies for all of my loved ones that I think will benefit (most of them!!!) Thank you so much Megan Jayne Crabbe ❤️ Can't wait to hear more from you ✌🏻

Libro molto interessante che mi ha aiutata molto nel processo di autoconsapevolezza del mio corpo! In una cultura in cui siamo bombardati da giudizi e pressioni su come dovremmo essere e apparire, c'è veramente tanto bisogno di letture come questa. Il libro è in inglese e molto scorrevole! Il rapporto con la mia pancia non è più stato lo stesso :)

I totally loved it and it helped me a lot. I was struggling a lot with my body image and now I feel like there's a light at the end and I can overcome it!!

Just WOWWWWWWWW I HAVE STARTED TO LOVE MYSELF LIKE MYSELF AND SO HAPPY TO READ THIS BOOK

Very highly recommended. Excellent reading for anyone who has wrestled with body image or just wants to gain a greater understanding of this topic. Thank you Megan.

I finished the book a few weeks ago and boy did I make progress! Since I was seven years old I hated my body and everything I was with such passion it almost ruined me. Self-harm, diets, mean thoughts and more self-harm until I recently disovered body positivity. At first I thought I didn't deserve loving myself but thanks to Megan (a beautiful and powerful woman) I finally was able to let go of all the negativity. When I heard she's releasing a book I couldn't wait to lay my hands on it. It helped me see the world through different eyes. When I go to the gym now I don't dream about skinny me who gets all the boys and who's popular and perfect, I think about how strong my body is and I wonder what more it can do! I'm more aware of my surroundings and of how badly women (and men) are being treated by society. It saddens me, yet I am happy I let go of the fear of my own body. Because, like Megan preaches, our body is not the enemy. It's our friend and we should love and treat it that way. I'm now sleeping in my underwear, I'm buying chocolate if I feel like it, I get me a doughnut and eat it in public, I go to the gym whenever I want without thinking about how many other people will be there, I dance in stores and I can finally focus on getting to know the people around me without analysing how much prettier than me they are. This book is an absolute must-read and it is worth every cent. Trust me when I tell you to trust Megan. Trust body positivity. It will change your life! And I want to thank beautiful Megan with all my heart. I want to thank her for the before and after weight gain pictures she posted on her Instagram that showed up on my explorer page and lead me to discover body positivity. I want to thank her for her cute dance videos, her long and encouraging captions, her strength and I want to thank her for empowering all of us and giving me the confidence to finally wear dresses again. Buy this book and have a nice nice!