Sanju Samson's wife loses weight, advocates body neutrality: What's it all about?

Charulatha Remesh, wife of Indian cricketer Sanju Samson, is quite vocal on social media. Recently, she posted a video highlighting her weight loss journey, captioned, “Thought twice about posting this video because I never want to give the impression that getting slimmer is a better transition in life. You gain weight, lose weight, get darker, get fairer... Just love yourself, be happy, and enjoy your 2025." By adding the hashtag #stillinprogress, Charulatha indicated that she has not yet reached her fitness goals and is continuing to improve her lifestyle. Her perspective on weight loss was widely praised online, with many finding it both inspiring and refreshing. Whether consciously or unintentionally, this attitude Charulatha promotes aligns with body neutrality.

What is body neutrality?
Most of us are familiar with body shaming or body negativity, which has been normalized for a long time, especially by the older generations. In response, body positivity emerged, advocating for the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, gender, or skin tone. Apparently, body positivity sometimes led to 'toxic positivity,' and even marginalized certain groups like those with disabilities or within the LGBTQIA+ community. Body neutrality, as described by the Cleveland Clinic, takes a more balanced approach. It neither demands that you love nor hate your body; instead, it encourages respect for your body, focusing on its functionality rather than its appearance.

The term 'body neutrality' was coined by Anne Poirier, a certified intuitive eating counsellor and eating disorder specialist, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Poirier defines this mindset as one where the body’s function and capabilities take precedence over its appearance. She emphasizes that a person's body should not dominate their self-worth. Body neutrality is especially beneficial for those who find body positivity affirmations inauthentic. Simply put, while body negativity leads to thoughts like 'I hate my body,' and body positivity fosters 'I love my body,' body neutrality invites us to adopt the perspective 'I accept my body.'