body

Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.

Beyond the Mirror
Every morning I stand before the mirror. As soon as I wash my face and look into my own eyes, one question echoes inside me: “Is this really me? Or just the image society wants me to see?” The faint dark circles under my eyes, the dryness on my lips, and above all, the body the world keeps labeling as “too much.” Sometimes they call it “fat,” sometimes “big,” sometimes “imperfect.” These words echo in my ears and darken the quiet room of my heart. Through Society’s Eyes When I step outside, people look. Some with pity, some with disdain, some with curiosity. Their gaze slides over my body as if I’m not a person but an object. At the marketplace, the first barrier is always size. The shopkeeper’s forced smile silently tells me, “This isn’t for you.” And I wonder—does beauty really lie in the length of fabric or the curve of a waistline? Isn’t the true value of a human measured by the heart, the mind, and the actions? Memories of Childhood I remember childhood, when everything felt simpler. On the playground, no one cared who was thin and who was fat. Everyone laughed, everyone ran, everyone belonged. But as we grew up, the measuring scales of society were placed before us. “Look at him, how slim he is.” “If only you were like that.” These sentences pierced me like arrows. Fighting the Mirror For years, I fought with my reflection. Sometimes through starving myself, sometimes through punishing workouts, sometimes through enduring taunts and comments. Every day I treated my body like it was a mistake I needed to correct. But one day, realization dawned: If I spend my whole life trying to meet other people’s expectations, when will I live my own life? If I keep my soul chained to numbers on a scale, how will I ever chase my dreams? A Shift in Thinking That was the beginning of change. I started small exercises of acceptance. When I looked in the mirror, I forced myself to notice at least one thing I liked. Sometimes it was a smile, sometimes a strand of hair, sometimes just the sparkle in my eyes. It wasn’t easy, but slowly, my heart softened. The Voices of Others People still talk. They still say: “Eat less,” “Run more,” “Go on a diet.” Once, those sentences poisoned my ears. But now I think: that’s their truth, not mine. My body tells a story, and only I have the right to narrate it. Searching for Love There was a time when I thought no one could ever love me. Because society insists love is reserved for “perfect bodies.” But eventually I realized—the very first love I need is the love I give myself. If I hate my own reflection, every other love will feel incomplete. The Journey Continues Some days are still hard. There are mornings when I want to close the curtains and hide from the world. But then I remember: I have already spent years in the dark. Now I must search for the light. Food is no longer punishment or reward—it is fuel for my body. The gym is no longer a prison for losing weight—it is a place to gain strength. And the mirror is no longer my enemy—it is a friend who shows me my truth. A Closing Message We are all different. Some tall, some short. Some slim, some full. Some fair, some dark. But the essence is that each of us, in our own way, is beautiful. The world’s standards will always shift. But we must cultivate the certainty inside us that we are enough—exactly as we are. So if you ever find yourself standing before a mirror, feeling less than worthy, remember this: Your body is not a prison. It is your story. And you are the only one who can write it
By Janalamabout a year ago in Viva
UTIs in Women: Why They Keep Coming Back and How to Stop Them
For many women, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more than just a one-time problem. They become a frustrating cycle — a few days of relief, followed by burning, urgency, and discomfort all over again. This revolving door of symptoms can feel endless, leading not only to physical discomfort but also to emotional exhaustion.
By Richard Baileyabout a year ago in Viva
Perimenopause vs. Menopause: What’s the Real Difference?
Many women approach their 40s and 50s with questions about the changes happening in their bodies. You may notice irregular periods, sudden hot flashes, mood shifts, or a change in sleep quality. But is it perimenopause? Is it menopause? The two terms are often used interchangeably, yet they refer to distinct stages in a woman’s reproductive journey. Understanding the difference is essential—not just for managing symptoms, but for maintaining long-term health.
By Richard Baileyabout a year ago in Viva
15 Days Without Sugar: A Sweet Change
15 Days Without Sugar: A Sweet Change By: Abdullah It all started on a Monday morning when I was scrolling through my social media feed, sipping my usual cup of tea sweetened with two heaping teaspoons of sugar. A short video caught my attention: “Quit sugar for just 15 days, and your body will thank you.” The woman in the video claimed she felt more energetic, lost weight, and even had better skin just by cutting out refined sugar.
By Abdullah Khan about a year ago in Viva
Hormonal Imbalance in Women: Symptoms, Causes, and Natural Fixes
Hormones are powerful chemical messengers. They quietly regulate nearly every function in a woman’s body—sleep, metabolism, mood, reproduction, and even how skin looks. When these delicate chemical levels shift too far out of balance, the effects can be subtle at first, then progressively harder to ignore.
By Richard Baileyabout a year ago in Viva
Whispers of the Morning Walk
Whispers of the Morning Walk By:( Abdullah Khan ) The world was still asleep when I stepped outside. The air was crisp, carrying that faint chill only mornings know. My shoes crunched lightly against the pavement as I began my walk, the neighborhood wrapped in a blanket of soft silence. It wasn’t just a routine anymore—it was my favorite part of the day. The streetlights were still on, casting pale golden halos on the wet road from last night’s rain. A few birds had already started their morning chorus, their voices weaving through the gentle rustle of leaves. As I passed the old oak tree at the corner, I noticed the first blush of sunrise peeking over the rooftops. It felt like the world was slowly exhaling, stretching into another day. Walking in the morning always made me feel like I had stolen a secret—those precious moments before the noise, before the rush, when the earth belonged only to those who cared to greet it early. Halfway down the road, I met Mrs. Whitaker. She was in her seventies, always dressed in a light cardigan no matter the weather. She waved, holding a basket of fresh bread from the bakery. “Early as ever,” she smiled. I laughed. “Trying to beat the sun.” She nodded knowingly. “The morning listens better than the rest of the day.” Her words stayed with me as I walked on. The morning does listen. It listens when you sort through your thoughts in your head, when you plan your day, or when you simply walk in silence, letting the sound of your footsteps fill the gaps. Further along, I reached the park. The grass sparkled with tiny drops of dew, each catching the light like diamonds. The air smelled faintly of jasmine from a nearby hedge, mixing with the earthy scent of damp soil. A few joggers passed by, each lost in their own rhythm. I watched a man throw a stick for his golden retriever, who bounded after it with pure joy. I sat for a while on my usual bench, one with peeling green paint and initials carved into the wood. From there, I could see the lake. Mist floated above the water like a veil, and a pair of ducks glided across, leaving soft ripples behind them. The sun was climbing higher now, turning the mist gold. It’s strange how the morning can make even the smallest things feel alive—the way a leaf sways in the breeze, the way sunlight filters through branches, the way your own breath forms clouds in the cold air. As I resumed walking, I passed by the little flower shop near the park’s entrance. Its owner, a cheerful man named Elias, was arranging buckets of roses and daisies on the sidewalk. “Good morning!” he called out. “Looks beautiful,” I said, admiring the flowers. “They always do in the morning light,” he replied, brushing pollen from his hands. The final stretch of my walk took me past the bakery, where the smell of warm bread and cinnamon rolls was impossible to ignore. I promised myself I’d come back later for breakfast, but for now, I just wanted to savor the peace. By the time I returned home, the streets were busier. Cars rumbled past, people hurried with coffee cups in hand, and the quiet magic of the morning was fading. But it didn’t matter—I carried it with me. That’s the beauty of a morning walk. It’s not just about exercise. It’s about witnessing the world before it remembers it has to rush. It’s about finding calm in the in-between, about hearing the whispers the day offers only once. And tomorrow, I’ll be there again, ready to listen.
By Abdullah Khan about a year ago in Viva
My Body, My Journey
My Body, My Journey By: [Abdullah] If you had asked me ten years ago how I felt about my body, I would have answered with a shrug — or worse, a list of everything I wished I could change. I treated my body like a never-ending project, one that was always behind schedule and never quite “good enough.”
By Abdullah Khan about a year ago in Viva
How I Learned to Love My Reflection
How I Learned to Love My Reflection By: [Abdullah] For most of my life, mirrors were my enemies. Not because I was vain, but because I couldn’t stand what I saw. I’d glance at my reflection and immediately zero in on flaws: the uneven skin tone, the curve of my nose, the way my stomach never looked as flat as I wanted. My inner voice was crueler than any playground bully, and it spoke up every time I caught sight of myself. If you’ve ever avoided your reflection in a shop window or dreaded photos because you’re afraid of what you’ll see, you know the feeling. It’s exhausting — like carrying around a critic who never takes a day off. But a few years ago, something shifted. Today, I can look in the mirror without flinching. In fact, sometimes I even smile at what I see. This is the story of how I got there — and how you can too. --- Step 1: Realizing the Real Enemy Wasn’t the Mirror It hit me one morning as I was brushing my teeth, glaring at myself in the bathroom mirror. The mirror hadn’t done anything to me. It was just reflecting what was already there. The problem wasn’t my reflection — it was the story I told myself about it. I started asking: Would I say these things to a friend? Of course not. If my best friend stood next to me, I’d point out how her eyes sparkled or how her hair caught the light. I wouldn’t say, “Ugh, look at those wrinkles.” So why was I doing it to myself? That question became the first crack in the wall I’d built between myself and my reflection. --- Step 2: The 30-Second Compliment Rule A therapist once told me: “If you can’t find anything good to say about yourself, start small. Even one thing is enough.” I took it literally. Every morning, I’d spend 30 seconds looking in the mirror and saying something kind. Sometimes it was, “I like my eyes today.” Other days it was just, “I’m glad you showed up.” At first, it felt awkward — like I was pretending. But over time, my brain started to believe me. The more I practiced, the more natural it became. Compliments stopped feeling like lies and started feeling like truths. --- Step 3: Seeing Myself in Motion We’re used to seeing still images of ourselves — selfies, portraits, that one unflattering photo someone tags on social media. But a still photo captures only a split second. It doesn’t show your warmth, your laugh, or the way your face lights up when you talk about something you love. So I started making short videos — not for posting, just for me. I recorded myself telling a funny story, cooking a meal, or talking to my cat. Watching those clips was like meeting a different version of me. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a list of features to be judged. I was a whole person with expressions, gestures, and energy that no still image could capture. --- Step 4: Curating My Mirror Moments I used to only notice my reflection in harsh lighting — dressing room mirrors, bad bathroom bulbs, security cameras that make you look like you’ve aged ten years. No wonder I hated what I saw. Now, I make my mirror moments intentional. I stand in good natural light. I play my favorite song. Sometimes I’ll even wear something I love just to boost my mood. It’s not about vanity — it’s about creating an environment where I’m more likely to see myself kindly. --- Step 5: Shifting the Conversation When I was younger, compliments about my appearance were the only ones that felt valuable. But now I try to compliment myself — and others — on things unrelated to looks. I tell myself: “You’re resilient.” “You’re patient.” “You’re creative.” Over time, my reflection stopped being just about how I looked and started being about who I was. That shift was powerful. --- Step 6: Unfollowing the Comparison Trap Nothing damages self-image faster than comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel. I started unfollowing social media accounts that made me feel inadequate and replaced them with ones that celebrated body diversity, natural beauty, and authenticity. The more I saw different body types, skin tones, and features celebrated, the more I realized: there is no one “right” way to look. My reflection didn’t have to fit someone else’s standard to be worthy of love. --- What I See Now I still have days where I notice things I don’t love. I think we all do. But those days no longer spiral into self-hate. When I look in the mirror now, I see someone who survived hard days, someone who keeps showing up, someone who laughs loudly and loves deeply. I see the girl who thought she’d never make peace with her reflection — and the woman who proved her wrong. --- Practical Tips for Loving Your Reflection If you’re on your own self-acceptance journey, here are a few things that helped me: 1. Speak kindly — Even if it feels fake at first, say one nice thing to yourself each day. 2. See yourself in motion — Videos show your warmth and personality in a way still photos can’t. 3. Create positive mirror moments — Good lighting, music, and clothes you love can shift your mindset. 4. Focus beyond appearance — Compliment yourself on character, skills, and resilience. 5. Change your media diet — Follow creators and accounts that celebrate diversity and authenticity. --- I used to think self-love meant waking up one day and magically adoring everything about my appearance. Now I know it’s not magic — it’s a daily choice. And sometimes, when I pass a mirror, I catch myself smiling. Not because I think I look perfect, but because I see someone worth smiling at.
By Abdullah Khan about a year ago in Viva
National Wellness Month Spotlight: How FDNY's Rapping Firefighter Processes Trauma Through Bars by NWO Sparrow
DOUBLE DUTY: HOW LEAH RAY BALANCES THE FDNY & HIP-HOP WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT BROOKLYN, NY—The weight of a 50-pound hose still lingers on Leah Ray’s shoulders as she steps into the dim glow of the recording booth. For this FDNY firefighter, music isn’t just a passion, it’s therapy. “Some days, the sirens don’t stop ringing in your head,” she confesses, adjusting her headphones. “But when the beat drops? That’s when I finally exhale.”
By NWO SPARROWabout a year ago in Viva
Braids, Pride & Power: How Joetta Dugbo’s Independence Day Hairstyle Went Viral and Honored Liberia’s Legacy
In the world of creative expression, few can braid culture, art, and identity into a single vision the way Joetta Dugbo , known widely as Queen Jo, can. A self-taught hairstylist, fashion design graduate, body art visionary, and rising podcaster, Queen Jo wears many crowns. But this past July 26, she added another jewel to her collection with a bold and symbolic hairstyle that went viral across social media in celebration of Liberia’s Independence Day.
By NWO SPARROWabout a year ago in Viva
5 Physical Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is a natural part of life that every woman will face at some point, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. It's the time when your body slowly stops making the hormones that cause your menstrual cycle. This change doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it comes with a range of physical and emotional symptoms—some mild, others more noticeable.
By LaMarion Zieglerabout a year ago in Viva
HOTTEST SUMMER BODS '25
In the spirit of ESPN The Body Issue that existed from 2009 to 2019, featuring legendary athletes such as Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey and Candace Parker, we celebrate body positivity as well as the accomplishments of some of the best women's track and field athletes in recent years.
By Winners Onlyabout a year ago in Viva