In the age of social media, the word "wellness" often comes with a specific visual attached: green juices, expensive yoga gear, and a specific body type—usually thin, toned, and glowing. For a long time, the wellness industry and the body positivity movement seemed to be at odds. One appeared focused on changing your body to fit a mold, while the other demanded we love the body we have right now.

In recent years, two of the most influential movements in the health space— and the wellness lifestyle —have often been portrayed as opposing forces . One is frequently associated with radical self-acceptance regardless of size, while the other is often seen as a pursuit of "optimized" health that can sometimes lean into restrictive habits.

Many wellness practices (organic groceries, gym memberships, meditation retreats) are expensive and time-consuming. Body positivity highlights that socioeconomic factors, disability, and systemic barriers affect health more than individual willpower.