I need you to read this part very carefully. OK? Let’s have some real talk for a moment. Loving your body and wanting to change it can coexist. Yup. Now read that again. I’ll wait. You don’t have to pick one or the other. You can love yourself fiercely and still want to build muscle, lose weight, improve your health, and/or crush whatever goal you’ve got your eyes on. Now read this next part very carefully too. It’s not betrayal. It’s evolution.
*This photo is by Moe Magners: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-a-slogan-6670116/
*This post may contain affiliate links
How to Love Yourself Now
So how do you love your body and love yourself right now, in this exact moment, even as you work toward something more? Let’s break it down.
How to Love Yourself Cards: Self-Love Cards with 64 Positive Affirmations for Daily Wisdom and Inspiration
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on ItLove Yourself: Stress Relief Coloring Book for Adults and Teens
Talk to Your Body Like It’s Your BFF
Would you ever tell your best friend that her thighs are too jiggly or that her arms should never see the light of day? I would hope not. So why do we say those things to ourselves? Start treating your body like it’s your ride-or-die, your forever friend. Because if you really think about it, it is. Thank it for carrying you, dancing with you, getting you through those dark days when what’s his name didn’t call, and letting you laugh until your stomach hurt. The more kindness you give, the more love you will be able to feel.
Dress for the Body You Have, Not the Body You’re “Working On”
First, don’t worry about what the size on the label says. Buy the clothes that fit and feel good. Stop saving that cute outfit you’re eyeing for “when you lose 10 pounds”. Buy it in your size now and rock the hell out of it. Show up in a swimsuit. You deserve to feel confident today, not someday. I don’t believe, for one second, that style is size exclusive. And besides, confidence looks goon on everyone. So there.
Celebrate the Non-Scale Victories
Have you ever gotten on the scale, sure that you lost weight, but to only see it stay the same or go up? Yeah. That’s me right now and it’s super annoying. Sure, the scale may move eventually, but let’s be realistic for a moment. The scale is not the only way (or even the best way sometimes) to measure our progress. Let’s think of a few ways we can measure our successes without the scale…
Can you lift heavier weights?
Are you sleeping better?
Walk up the stairs without sounding like you are fighting for your life?
Feel more energized?
Has your mood improved?
All of those things are victories and they are worth cheering for. So, start focusing on all the things you can do and forget about a stupid number on the scale. And whatever you do, do not get a smart scale. They are insulting. One time, I gained weight and the app actually asked “is this you? You’ve gained a significant amount of weight”. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
Move Because You Love Your Body (Not Because You Hate It)
Ever think, as you shove a piece of cake into your mouth that your things really don’t need this cake, but it’s OK because you will go to the gym later? Well, stop that. Stop it now. Exercise should not be a punishment for what you ate. Move in ways that feel good to you. If that’s dancing, then dance. Or you can hike (ew…outdoors). Can you tell I don’t hike? You can swim; do yoga; or chase your dog around the dog park. Find what makes you want to move and do more of that. And remember…movement is a celebration, not a consequence.
Unfollow Anyone Who Makes You Feel Like Crap
Your social media feed should be one that inspires you. Not guilt trip you or make you feel poorly about yourself. If you’re constantly comparing yourself to filtered perfection, then unfollow them. If the “what I eat in a day” videos make you feel like a dumpster fire because they are eating all the stuff you cut out and they are still thin, unfollow them. They’re probably lying. Make a conscious effort to fill your feed with real bodies, real joy, and people who hype you up to love yourself.
SANNYRA Love Yourself Necklace for Women – Stainless Steel Necklaces for Womens – Inspirational Pendant Gift for HerMental Health Gifts: Motivational Self Love Note to Self Makeup Bag – Travel & Cosmetic Size, Positive DesignYUEYUQIU Mini Funny Positive Crochet Cow Gifts – Emotional Inspirational Support Gift for Women Men Coworker Friends Teen – Handmade Crochet Cows Gifts for Birthday Fathers Day Graduation
Affirm It Until You Believe It
This is NOT the same as fake it until you make it. Quite the opposite, actually. It might feel awkward at first, but affirmations work. Say it loud and write it down (I’m sure there is an app for that). Some affirmations to try are:
“My body is strong and capable”
“I am allowed to love myself and still want to grow”
I don’t need to earn rest, food, or love”
Say it enough times and I promise you, you will believe it. You know why? Because it’s true.
Finally…
You do NOT have to put your self love on pause because you are working on yourself. That doesn’t even make sense, if you think about it. The journey we go on when we are trying to achieve a goal is much sweeter when it’s fueled by love instead of loathing. So, how about we embrace where we are WHILE dreaming of where we are going. And along the way, we can celebrate the progress and cheer one another on. Because each and every single one of us is a masterpiece AND a work in progress.
Leave a Reply