Maintaining a healthy body image can be a challenge for many students of all genders and identities, particularly as they navigate life changes that come with being a college student – equally exciting and stressful.

For that reason, campus partners have come together for the annual Body Acceptance Week, Feb. 27 – March 3, which encourages students to embrace body positivity and “Celebrate EveryBODY.”

“Body Acceptance Week is a campus-wide series of events focused​ on celebrating​ positive body image,” explained Lauren Adams, mental health student coordinator for the CSU Health Network, who has helped put together this year’s Body Awareness Week. “Unfortunately, the media we consume every day gives false images of what we think we should look like, and that takes away from our self-love and self-acceptance. ​ As a collegiate woman, I believe that it is so important to be reminded to love ourselves.”

Body Acceptance Week 2017 events

All events are free. 

• Monday, Feb. 27: Grab a free t-shirt from ASCSU in the LSC Plaza (supply is limited)
• Tuesday, Feb. 28: “Do You Even Lift Bro?” A Men in the Movement open event. 4-5 p.m. in LSC Room 308.
• Wednesday, March 1: Fitness Explosion and Mind/Body Spirit Fair. Campus Recreation. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 2: Stephanie Covington Armstrong presents “Not All Black Girls Know How To Eat: A Story of Bulimia.” 6:00pm. Longs Peak Ballroom

Students, faculty, and staff are also encouraged to share a body positive message on one of the several sticky note murals around campus throughout the week.

“The simplicity of a positive message or small reminder that we are all beautifully unique makes a huge difference in our outlook on ourselves and others,” Adams said. “Working on this project has changed my outlook on myself, helped me gain confidence, and feel comfortable in my own skin. I hope that Body Awareness Week gives every student a reminder of their worth and true beauty.”

More information about Body Acceptance Week events can be found by logging into YOU@CSU[1] and searching for “body acceptance.”

Support one another

In addition, students can support one another in many ways:

• Encourage healthy exercise and self-care instead of overemphasizing weight gains or losses
• Do your best to model body acceptance
• Listen for excessive complaints about body weight/shape, fat talk etc.
• Watch out for strict rituals relating to food and eating, excuses to avoid meal times, and rigid exercise routines even when sick or injured

If you are concerned for a fellow Ram, encourage them to take the CSU Online Self-Assessment[2] and seek help through the CSU Health Network[3] where counseling and nutrition services are both available.

Body Acceptance Week is brought you by campus partners CSU Health Network, Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU), Women and Gender Advocacy Center (WGAC), Campus Recreation, Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center, and Housing & Dining Services.