Does Your Body need a Spring clean?

Spring has sprung and that means — it's time to get the winter bod in shape — or does it?

Written by Kylie Burton ~ Dance, Education and Body Image Consultant

This morning I've woken up to the glorious scent of jasmine in my garden. The Brisbane weather is stunning, and it's suddenly warm enough to prompt an assessment of my spring wardrobe. And I'll admit, my first thought was...NOPE!

I've spent the winter working on my novel, holed up in my home studio in my tracky dacks, drinking coffee and eating lots of 'thinking snacks.’ To be perfectly honest, I've been feeling a bit pasty and...I'm gonna say it...frumpy. So when I went rummaging through my old wardrobe in search of my first spring outfit of the season, I hesitated...

Those old negative body image demons started whispering tired old tropes (you're not going to look good in that!)

But here's the thing...

As I began to try on last year's clothes that I thought would never possibly still fit, I was surprised to discover that they did. And… they actually looked fine! Not because I've lost weight, (I haven’t) but because I've spent the past few years embracing my changing body, figuring out what suits me now, in my fifties, and buying clothes that feel comfortable.

So as it turns out, I don't need to rush out and buy a new wardrobe or join the gym.

You know what I did instead?

I washed my hair. I moisturized my tired skin. I made a berry smoothie. Then I took this bod of mine into the glorious sunshine, wearing last year’s elastic- waisted shorts and a bright, flowy kimono and took a deep breath in, enjoying that divine jasmine scent and a good dose of vitamin D. Before I knew it, I found myself doing some gentle exercise, because I felt energized and just needed to move! Then I thanked my body for everything she does for me.

That's it. That's all it took to shake off my winter funk and welcome in spring.

It made me wonder...surely I'm not the only one who's been sighing at their wardrobe lately? If you know what I'm talking about, here's an idea for you. Maybe when we feel stuck, all we have to do is start where we are and be grateful for everything our bodies do for us, instead of tearing ourselves apart with critical self- talk or punishing ourselves in ways that are less about our health and more about years of ingrained diet culture.

Don't get me wrong. My involvement in the Bye bye BMI movement and upcoming SHiNE research has taught me that health is about as individual as the puppy personalities at a Sunday morning dog park. So if you absolutely love triathlons (go hubby!) then yay you! What I'm talking about are those times when maybe we're just being a bit too hard on ourselves and could do with a gentle reframe. As a former professional dancer, who has pushed this body to its limits, (hello osteoarthritis) lately I've been asking myself,

"Am I really 'letting myself go', or am I finally letting myself be?"

If you're anything like me and you're feeling a bit anxious about pulling out your spring wardrobe, I encourage you to pause and give yourself a break. Sure, do whatever makes you feel good — exercise in ways that bring you joy, nourish your body with nutritious food, buy something bright and new if you need a mood boost or want to make a change. Dye your hair purple if that's your thing. You won't hear any judgement from me! But please...

Whatever you do, do it with self- love.

Because that's the most beautiful thing about you. Not your size. Not your shape. Not the numbers on the scale. Just the joy you bring to the world by being your unique self. Cause here's the real kicker — research shows that when we love and accept ourselves exactly as we are, we are more likely to participate in activities that are good for our health.

So before you get your self-whacking stick out because you dared to enjoy a bit of winter comfort food, (read: kept yourself warm) or your body has birthed babies, or you're getting older, or you're a former dancer/athlete, or whatever might be holding you back from living your best life, take a beat and remind yourself that bodies are supposed to change and fluctuate and that's ok. Maybe try some TLC, call your friends and see what happens next. My guess is, your spring self will thank you for it, all the way into next winter.

Kylie Burton is a dance, education and body image consultant from Brisbane. She consults on eating disorder prevention guidelines for the dance community and works with The Embrace Collective to help build better body image in schools. Kylie is also the author of two anthologies and recently won the Totally Lit Micro Fiction Carers Scholarship Award. See her WRITING page for more.