I have spent a bit of time lately thinking about how I approach body image as a concept and I have to admit I have found my own attitude a little lacking when it comes to open mindedness and embracing diversity. There is a lurking resentment that sits in me for people who are thin, especially those who seem to be thin effortlessly while I seem to find it so hard.

In order to embrace this year of happy and healthy, I am adjusting my mindset not only about my own body but the bodies of others, removing the emotion from what you can see on the outside. So why does it stir such emotion in me anyway?

While it sounds like a bit of an excuse to blame media it’s undeniable that still so much of what we see, and what’s promoted as beautiful, desirable and right in the world is below a size 8. I decided to try and find a TV show or romantic comedy movie with a fuller figured woman a few weeks ago and I couldn’t. Magazines are rife with articles showing us thin people, or telling us how to be like them like that’s the pinnacle of what we should aspire to.

But grumbling about how that thin girl is too pretty, needs to eat a burger or must have a bad personality is not helpful and is still boxing those people unfairly based on their looks and size. Removing thin people from media is not the answer. So what do I want? It comes down to representation. I want to see more people like me in what I watch, what I look at, what I read and what is shared and considered as healthy and beautiful in our society.

I have started by not buying any magazines anymore. I find them toxic and damaging to my health and my happiness. I have also started being more selective about who I follow on social media. I am filling my “follow list” with people who live the lifestyle I want to lead and I can relate to (as much as one can in a social media space). Models and influencers who eat a healthy diet that I would eat, exercise regularly, but most importantly have confidence in their looks and look bloody amazing! Some are full of love for their bodies, others admit to struggling with their body image but all are leading a healthy and mostly happy life style that I can see myself embracing. Importantly not all are ‘plus size’. They are people who have a healthy relationship with their bodies and their body image.

While I am definitely focusing on losing weight post baby I am trying to keep this in the realm of what’s real and makes me happy, not looking to be something I will never be. I am taking a positive look at myself, engaging in self care and helping myself to be the best I can be and resetting my own mindset and definitions of beauty for everyone.