Body Acceptance Can Feel so Tough. (But So is Trying to Change Your Body.)

The body acceptance journey often begins with excitement.

You imagine the freedom you’ll feel when you stop worrying so damn much about the number on the scale, or how many calories are in a meal, and you can finally just enjoy life more!

And that keeps you going until…weight gain happens. Then boom! All the fear and panic starts rushing in and you think “I can’t do this! Dieting feels safer, this is way too scary.”

But here’s what you can often forget while in the midst of all those scary thoughts and feelings: dieting and controlling your body is hard too!

There’s a reason you feel the urge to move towards more freedom and peace - because trying to control your food and body isn’t in your nature.

The only reason you feel the need to control your body is because of fear. But fear of what? Fear of judgement? Fear of getting sick? Both of these things happen whether you’re controlling your body or not, and neither of them you can actually control! (Only your mind would tell you you can).

When you are attuned to yourself, it’s fairly easy to follow what will make you feel good in your body, so control isn’t necessary. But when you’ve adopted beliefs from the culture about “good or bad” bodies and “good or bad” foods (as we all have), and are afraid of being judged by others for not following the norm, then control seems like a good idea.

But what is “control” really keeping you “safe” from? Feelings. Really. This sense of control is giving you a momentary respite from the thoughts saying you’re not good enough, you’re not okay, and the feelings that go along with it.

However, thoughts and feelings pass. Using control to avoid feeling those feelings keeps them stuck.

This is why the adage “the only way out is through” is so true. You are never really free of the thoughts and feelings when you’re using control to avoid them.

But when you understand what thoughts and feelings are (perfectly safe), then you can more consciously allow them to pass and move through you - and that breaks the pattern of control, and opens you up to experiencing more ease and freedom with food and your body.

So while there can be many tough moments on the body acceptance path, it can be reassuring to know that every time you are with the feelings and thoughts and allow them to pass, you are doing the work to truly free yourself. Keep going ❤️

And if you’d like support to help you move through this process, that’s what my one-on-one coaching is for.

Photo by Mart Production.