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Body Positive Power: How learning to love yourself will save your life by Megan Jayne Crabbe
thepetitepunk's review
4.0
Get mad. Get mad about the first time you were ever made to feel bad about your body. Get mad about the fact that the average age for girls to start dieting is eight years old. Get mad about all that wasted time spent only half living. Get mad about not being able to turn on your TV, open a magazine, or walk down the street without being sold the idea that your body is wrong.
While reading Body Positive Power, I had the TV on in the background. I wasn't paying attention to it at first because I'm used to reading with noise, but after hearing a few select words, I truly understood the point Megan Jayne Crabbe was trying to make throughout her book.
Because Jesus Christ, how many weight loss commercials do I need to see while watching Criminal Minds?
Growing up, my entire life was controlled by self esteem issues. It got to the point where I didn't even want to leave the house. By middle school, I hated my appearance so much that I stopped looking in the mirror. I hid in a corner when I had to change into my gym uniform. I cried in the changing room when I had to buy a dress for 8th grade graduation. I didn't want to be by my friends anymore because I thought I wasn't as pretty as them and that I'd stick out. I didn't even want to talk to anyone because I didn't think they'd take me seriously because of the way I looked.
I don't know why I felt that way.
Spending years hating my body and not letting anyone touch me or get close to me was exhausting. I avoided being in photos and felt guilty whenever I ate. I couldn't do anything without thinking about how my appearance would come into play. That's just...not a great way to live.
I'm glad books like this are out there. Megan's voice is strong and inspirational. Comforting but honest, Body Positive Power is a book everyone should read.
While reading Body Positive Power, I had the TV on in the background. I wasn't paying attention to it at first because I'm used to reading with noise, but after hearing a few select words, I truly understood the point Megan Jayne Crabbe was trying to make throughout her book.
Because Jesus Christ, how many weight loss commercials do I need to see while watching Criminal Minds?
Growing up, my entire life was controlled by self esteem issues. It got to the point where I didn't even want to leave the house. By middle school, I hated my appearance so much that I stopped looking in the mirror. I hid in a corner when I had to change into my gym uniform. I cried in the changing room when I had to buy a dress for 8th grade graduation. I didn't want to be by my friends anymore because I thought I wasn't as pretty as them and that I'd stick out. I didn't even want to talk to anyone because I didn't think they'd take me seriously because of the way I looked.
I don't know why I felt that way.
Spending years hating my body and not letting anyone touch me or get close to me was exhausting. I avoided being in photos and felt guilty whenever I ate. I couldn't do anything without thinking about how my appearance would come into play. That's just...not a great way to live.
I'm glad books like this are out there. Megan's voice is strong and inspirational. Comforting but honest, Body Positive Power is a book everyone should read.
astonersbookshelf_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
audioandereadergrrly's review against another edition
4.0
The audiobook itself was really good, but I have two qualms about it: the first was that during the potentially triggering sections, the author states “stop reading” or “start reading” but if a reader is listening to an audiobook, how can they find the “start reading” section without wading through the triggering content first?
My second issue is the section where she reads a poem that a guy wrote her when they were in a recovery home. Did she have the permission to read the poem in full?
My second issue is the section where she reads a poem that a guy wrote her when they were in a recovery home. Did she have the permission to read the poem in full?
sarah_amy's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A beautiful book on loving yourself - all the time and at all sizes! Not just when you've reached your ideal weight...because even then you'll probably still find something you want to change about yourself. Challenged my own perspective on myself, as well as on my own misconceptions on fat, and my own judgements on fat being 'bad' or even equating to 'unhealthy.' Some bits of advice I'll have to research a little more into nutrition-wise (at least on a personal level), particularly surrounding weight not actually leading to a number of diseases as I have been taught all my life, though Megan has resources in her book to back up these claims. On a personal note, I've had to take some of that with a grain of salt, as being on the very short side and having disabilities, I know more weight does actually impact my physical health. HOWEVER, what I love most about this book is the declaration to love yourself at ALL sizes, shapes, abilities and forms. That we should celebrate ourselves and the body it comes in just for letting us experience this life, and to stop punishing it for not fitting into one ideal that very few can and will fit into! And that we all deserve to be seen in our rolls, pimples, freckles, stretch marks, scars, hairs, veins and all! This book changed my late sister, Chloe's, entire outlook on her body and life, and for that I could not be more thankful that it was written for her to discover and to pass on copies as a gift to encourage all of those she loved. Thank you Megan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Chronic illness, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts
laila4343's review
4.0
As I read more books in the anti-diet/HAES field, there will inevitably be repetition in the scientific studies referenced and various talking points. Where each book has the potential to be different and illuminating is the author’s story and unique voice. I came upon Crabbe on Instagram and really enjoy her feed. It’s full of joy and body positivity, the importance of mental health and inclusivity of all different kinds of people and bodies. The book is good, she makes a convincing argument for leaving diet culture and living a joyful, self-loving lifestyle. Her story of anorexia and later years of yo-yo dieting and obsessive exercise understandably made her furious at the diet culture that robbed her of her natural childhood joy in movement and ease with food and her body. This would be a great starting point for someone looking for a way out of self-loathing and harmful habits and mindsets. I enjoyed it.
christina_likes_to_read's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book on my sister's recommendation. She found it interesting and I really wanted to read it so we could talk about it. Overall, I liked this book and it gave me a lot to think about. I enjoyed the message that your body is good and worthy as it is. I didn't agree with everything that the author said, but I found myself nodding along more often than not. My one BIG caution with this book is the language. The author was not afraid to drop f-bombs and did so liberally. Other than that, it was an interesting and informative read. It has really made me evaluate how I think about weight.