Loving your body is about accepting and appreciating your body for what it is, with all its uniqueness and imperfections. This form of acceptance is an essential part of your overall well-being and happiness. On the other hand, it’s extremely common and okay for individuals to desire weight loss while trying to keep a positive relationship with their bodies. Both can be true. So let’s explore how it’s possible to love your body and still want to lose weight simultaneously, to find more balance in the push-pull of being healthy and wanting more out of your journey.
1. Self-Love: the Foundation
The journey towards weight loss while maintaining self-love begins with the understanding that your self-worth is NOT determined by your weight. It’s important to cultivate self-compassion and develop a mindset that values your body’s intrinsic worth regardless of what it may look like in shape and size. Embrace the idea that your body deserves love, respect, and care just as it is now.
2. What is Your Motivation?
Before getting started on your weight loss journey, ask yourself why you want to lose weight. Is it to improve your health, boost your energy, or raise your self-esteem? Let’s make sure that motivation stems from a place of self-improvement and not from societal pressures or external expectations. Your reasons should be personal and mean something to you. I call this exercise the 5 Why’s, where you ask yourself why is this important to you 5 times so you can truly get to the root value of your journey. Set aside 15-30 minutes for this exercise.
3. Set Realistic Goals
When you think about pursuing weight loss, it’s essential to set realistic and achievable goals. Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and disappointment, which can undermine your self-love. Set small, manageable milestones to track your progress and keep yourself motivated. I personally like to start with the first 10 pounds so you can feel accomplished and celebrate your journey at every 5 pounds lost! Think about it, if you lost 10-20 pounds a year in a way that feels easy and sustainable, how would you feel?
4. Focus on Health and Well-Being
Shift your focus from weight loss as a means to achieve an ideal size to improving your overall health. When you prioritize health, you reduce the pressure that comes with looks and place more emphasis on feeling your best. Weight loss should be a byproduct of your commitment to a healthier lifestyle, not the singular goal.
5. Mindful Eating
Adopting mindful eating habits can help you establish a more positive relationship with food and your body. Pay attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, savor the flavors of your meals, and choose nourishing foods that make you feel good. Avoid restrictive diets, as they can lead to unhealthy relationships with food. I personally have to put clients on a “reverse diet,” as they come to me in an excessive restrictive nutrition regimen. You don’t have to starve to lose weight. <3
6. Enjoy Exercising, Even if it’s Different
Engaging in physical activity on the regular is an essential part of any healthy lifestyle. Instead of viewing exercise as a way to punish your body or a way to burn the most calories, see it as a way to strengthen your body, boost your energy levels, and improve your overall well-being. Find activities that you actually enjoy, whether it’s dancing, swimming, hiking, taking on the gym with strength and conditioning workouts, or yoga. When you exercise for the joy of it, you’re more likely to keep up with your fitness routine. Don’t worry about the style of exercise right now. After you have a joyful exercise routine down that you practice consistently, you can optimize your workout regimen later.
7. Seek Support and Accountability
A support system is crucial when you’re on a weight loss journey while cultivating self-love. Friends, family, or a therapist can offer encouragement, share their experiences, and help keep you accountable to your goals. That’s why we focus on cultivating a supportive community at Embody Fitness, because it can feel complicated and we understand that. Our personal trainers are great resources for accountability and our community act as amazing motivators as you aren’t alone in the journey. Share your thoughts, challenges, and achievements with them so you can feel understood and supported in your pursuit of both self-love and weight loss.
8. Celebrate Non-Scale Victories
While the scale can be a helpful measure of progress, it’s not the only one. Celebrate your non-scale victories, such as improved stamina, better quality sleep, increased energy, and higher self-confidence. These accomplishments are equally, if not more, important than the number on the scale. They reflect the positive changes happening in your life beyond the unreliable number we see on the scale.
9. Embrace Your Unique Beauty
Everyone’s body is unique! This makes being human beautiful, just like the diversity of nature. So we should be celebrating this beauty in each person. Embrace your individuality and the qualities that make you special. Loving your body means appreciating its quirks and understanding that it doesn’t have to conform to what society deems as ideal. Accept your body, flaws and all, as a part of your beautiful journey. There is always a beautiful story behind every body.
To sum it up, loving your body while desiring weight loss can happen for you with practice. It’s a balanced approach to self-improvement that makes the journey more enjoyable. Self-love is about accepting and loving your body for what it is, while also having the desire for weight loss. By setting realistic goals, focusing on health and well-being, and celebrating non-scale victories, you can find a fulfilling path to self-love and weight loss. Remember that your body is your home, and it’s essential to care for and love it while discovering your own version of health and happiness.
If you are looking for a community and personal trainer to support you in your weight loss journey while celebrating your current beauty, contact us at hello@embodyfitnessatx.com We can’t wait to see you!
