Now we are nearing the end of 2017 I thought I’d share with you some of the things I’ve loved reading, watching and listening to this year! Check out some of the items on my list and let me know some of your recommendations from this year in the comments!
Read
Now admittedly I may have failed my self imposed reading challenge this year but I have still read a lot more than I would have done without giving myself that push, so I’d say all in all that’s a positive achievement!
My book recommendation for this year though goes to a non-fiction book that I haven’t reviewed on my reading challenge. This book has had a profound effect on my life in a positive way. It’s “Body Positive Power!” by Megan Crabbe of @bodyposipanda!
“We’ve been convinced that happiness is something that only comes once we hit that goal weight, get those washboard abs, shrink ourselves down and change every part of ourselves. We believe that our bodies are the problem, but the truth is that our bodies are not the problem. How we’ve been taught to see them is the problem… it’s time for us all to stop believing the lies, and take our power back.”
Part autobiographical, part self help, part scientific and social study and research this book is informative, perspective shifting, intelligent and yet very accessible.
Megan’s body image issues began when she was five years old. She spent her childhood chasing thinness, and at fourteen found herself spiralling into anorexia. After recovery she spent years dieting, binging, losing and gaining weight. Then she found body positivity, quit dieting, and finally escaped the cult of thin. Now she’s determined to let as many people as possible know the truth: that we are all good enough as we are. If you’re tired of being at war with your body, then this book is for you.
You may be mistaken into believing, with her colourful rainbow hair and youthful appearance, that this book is not to be taken seriously, but do not be fooled by its jovial exterior. This book is full of extensive, meticulous research, perspective shifting ideas, heartbreaking honesty and authenticity and will set you on a journey to changing the way you look at society and your body forever!
I laughed, I cried and I quoted this book left right and centre, if you read anything this year, let it be Body Positive Power.
Watch
I am a bit late to the game with you-tube but I find I have been watching a lot more of it this year. There is a lot of nonsense out there but there’s also a few gems! The You Tuber’s I’ve been following this year are:
AND I GET DRESSED This channel follows the hilarious and incredibly stylish Kellie Brown on her adventures with fashion, travel and lifestyle. She has impeccable and daring taste in fashion and encourages you to push your boundaries with clothes and accessories. But the main reason I am addicted to watching her channel is because of her personality. She is funny, confident, silly and authentic, watching her you tube is like sitting down with a friend! Be sure to check out her gorgeous blog and Instagram account too.
Grace F Victory I have been watching Grace for a few years now, and first became aware of her through the BBC 3 programme “Clean eating’s dirty secrets” She is known as the “internet’s big sister” but the most interesting thing for me whilst watching Grace’s channel and following her blog and Instagram account is how much she has grown and changed as a person. I can see my own issues with my body and self love in her, and she has been on her own journey to self acceptance and recovery from eating disorders at the same time that I have embarked on that journey. Although our lives are very different I feel connected to Grace through our combined suffering and ultimately through our combined recovery. Sometimes it’s good to see someone going through a similar journey to you.
Honourable mention also has to go to the You Tube channels of Michelle Ellman who founded the movement #scarrednotscared and discusses issues of self love, empowerment and body confidence and Megan Crabbe (of Body Positive Power) a body positive tour de force. I have started watching both of these you tube channels more recently and I’m sure I am going to continue to be a big fan of there content.
Listen
I love podcasts. LOVE THEM! They are perfect to listen to whilst driving, painting or cleaning the house. Not only are they entertaining but they are informative and life changing too.
Some of the best podcasts I have listened to this year are:
This is laugh out loud funny. The premise of the show is that the two presenters, comedian Jolenta Greenberg and her skeptical friend Kristen Meinzer, have to live to the letter by a different self help book every episode. The Episode covers how the presenters got on over a two week period living “by the book” religiously following the rules and guidelines of self help experts and reveal whether the books make any lasting changes (or sometimes hilarious consequences) to there lives, relationships and there friendship. Some of the books followed so far include classic self help books like “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus” and “past lives future healing”, and best sellers like Marie Kondo’s controversial “The life changing magic of tidying up”. This podcast is hilarious, the presenters are loveable and you never know, you just might learn something along the way!
Hosted by comedian Deborah Frances-White, with special guest comedienne’s and other social and cultural personalities this is a hilarious look at the life of women and femmes in 21st Century Western culture. Covering a wide range of topics such from Motherhood to Weinstein Culture, Make up to FGM this podcast is as informative as it is funny- it sparks debate and has had me crying tears of joy and sadness on many occasions- a must listen.
This is a podcast dedicated to helping you make peace with food and your body.
Christy Harrison, a registered dietician, nutritionist, food journalist and eating disorder survivor discusses intuitive eating, body image, eating disorder recovery, weight stigma, fat acceptance, nutrition, and more with leaders in the body-positive and Health at Every Size movements.
This podcast calls out diet culture for the life thief that it is, and challenges it in all its sneaky forms—including the restrictive behaviours that often masquerade as wellness and fitness.
Listening to these podcasts has been instrumental to my own journey to recovery from my eating disorders, to self acceptance, body positivty and self love. A real in depth, intellectual and insightful look at the way Diet culture affects us ALL whether in larger or smaller bodies and how society’s obsession with weight loss and “wellness” is harming not healing us. I cannot recommend her podcasts enough.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my recommendations! Please let me know if you’ve enjoyed the same things as me or if you’ve got any recommendations of your own!
My Lemon Soul 