Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality: What’s the Difference?

The conversation around body image has evolved, and while things have certainly gotten better, the rise of “skinnytok” is cause for concern. Megan Fox, one of the most photographed and lusted after women in the world isn’t even immune to it, with comments flooding in about her post-baby body. If the world is going to comment on Megan Fox’s weight gain (again–she just had a baby!), then of course the rest of us are going to have a body complex!  

Two terms that often come up are “body positivity” and “body neutrality,” so I wanted to take a moment here on the blog to chat about it and specifically what the differences are.

Body Positivity

Body Positivity encourages loving and celebrating your body at any size, shape, or ability. It’s about challenging unrealistic beauty standards and affirming that all bodies are worthy of respect and joy. 

Body Neutrality

Body Neutrality, on the other hand, shifts the focus away from appearance. Instead of loving how your body looks, it emphasizes appreciating what your body does—breathing, moving, healing–without judgment. 

I like both of them, but body neutrality can be a bit easier for those of us who have gotten really stuck in toxic body language. If it feels silly to look at yourself in the mirror and say “I love my body,” that’s entirely fair and fine–try and start with “My body does so much work for me.” Body neutrality offers a practical approach for folks who find the positivity part of “body positivity” overwhelming or inauthentic.

Both offer tools for self-acceptance which is the ultimate goal here. Sharing a few podcasts that serve as resources for body positivity + body neutrality: 

Rise From Within

This is (Not) About Your Body

The Body Trust Podcast