ASK LOTTIE

"I feel like the noise around being smaller is getting louder online and it's leaving me questioning my body, even though I know that my current size is where I am at my healthiest - physically and mentally. How can I navigate this?"

This is a conversation I've had with countless clients recently, and it's one I approach with care. Many people are confusing health with thinness, and instead of nurturing bodies for longevity, resilience, and joy, they are being swept up in the false belief that health only exists at one size.

Sadly, social media and global news outlets are awash with celebrity 'transformations' and the glamorisation of weight loss drugs as miracle fixes, so I think it's only natural to question what this means if your body doesn't fit this ideal, despite knowing this is where you truly thrive.

For those who are medically in need, drugs like Ozempic can be life-changing and life-saving, and it's crucial to honour that. What's concerning is their growing use by those who don't medically need them, often without acknowledgement of the side effects: nausea, digestive issues, dizziness, nutrient deficiencies and low energy caused by extreme appetite suppression.

Having worked with many individuals who have been on the pursuit of thinness, only to find that this has created a disordered relationship with food, disrupted hormonal function, poor immune health, irregular or absent menstrual cycles, low mood, anxiety, social isolation, and malnutrition, I do feel the need to gently remind us that being thinner doesn't equate to being healthier.

The weight at which your body functions optimally may not be the tiniest version of you, and the most compassionate thing you can do for yourself is to work with your body, not against it. Truly being healthy looks like nourishing yourself with delicious food, having the energy to move in a way that feels enjoyable, being able to fight off illness, having the capacity to build meaningful connections, and the mental resilience to get through the inevitable challenges that life sends.

I'd encourage you to ask yourself what being healthy really means for you, and to see if your current beliefs and actions are aligned with this. 

In terms of how we can be avoiding this noise, curating the content that you consume by ensuring you're following those who inspire, uplift, and make you feel good, and being mindful of the type of news that you expose yourself to is a great place to start. 

As always, my (virtual!) door is open to anyone who is looking for some extra support to navigate this.

Lottie x