Body positivity influencer Lucy Fitz shares her advice on how to avoid guilt over Christmas weight gain – RSVP Live

There are many things we associate with Christmas time. Swapping gifts, seeing old friends, spending quality time with family and food.

Despite the rise of the concept of body positivity to public consciousness, we are often bombarded by messages of caution about putting on weight at this time of year, and how to "improve" our bodies through weight loss in the new year.

While losing weight and improving fitness can be a positive experience for many, the guilt around over-indulging at Christmas time is a negative feeling most people can relate to.

Mental health advocate and body positivity influencer Lucy Fitz has long been open about her struggles and triumphs with her own sense of self-image.

The 21-year old influencer, who got her start on social media while still in secondary school by sharing her makeup looks, is a promoter of positive self talk when it comes to body image.

Lucy has established a strong community online of over 80,000 followers, who appreciate her candid words about mental health and her penchant for sharing her unedited body in an empowering way.

Speaking with RSVP Live , the Barcelona-based Limerick native shared that Christmas is undoubtably a daunting time for anyone who has a dissatisfaction with their image.

"I think that Christmas time is, for a lot of people that suffer with their body image either trying to gain or lose weight, it's a scary time because of the indulging, the Christmas dinner, the nights out," she told RSVP Live.

"It saddens me how that people feel that way towards Christmas because it's supposed to be a happy time - it's not meant to be a time of stressing about what food you're consuming and what the consequences are going to be in January because you're having a good time during Christmas."

"People need to remember that unless your body weight is causing you health problems then there's nothing to worry about, and I know it's easier said than done because social media has painted a picture of what we're supposed to look like."

"But in reality everyone's body shape is completely different and there is no right or wrong."

Lucy's advice to people who's confidence takes a knock at this time of year is to try to practice positive self talk - if you wouldn't let someone speak to your best friend or sister the way you speak to yourself, that's a good indicator that it's time to change your internal narrative.

"I believe that the way you speak to yourself is so important," she said.

"I spent years putting myself down, constantly criticising my body to myself when I was alone. That really can impact the way that you look at your body, and also it's disrespectful towards yourself! You need to show yourself love and positivity otherwise your mindset just isn't going to change."

While changing that inner narrative can be difficult, taking some small steps towards personal empowerment every day can make a big difference.

"The way you speak to yourself every day, even if it's just you in the mirror saying 'I look good,' is really important for establishing good body image."

"Also when you get these thoughts like 'oh, if I just eat healthy or work out for a couple of weeks I'm going to lose this' - you need to push down that thought and replace it with a positive thought, like actually my body does everything for me and it's gotten me where I am today' - it needs to be honoured and not bashed."

Lucy will be returning to Ireland this year on Christmas Eve, and like many Irish natives who now reside abroad, she is focused on the excitement of seeing and spending time with her family.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing my family, I think when you're living away from your family and it's going to be my first time coming home for Christmas, I'm just really looking forward to being in my home house with them because when you're away from that it really puts it into perspective that that's all that matters."

You can join Lucy on her journey with body positivity and mental health awareness by following her on Instagram here.

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Body positivity influencer Lucy Fitz shares her advice on how to avoid guilt over Christmas weight gain - RSVP Live