You’re trying to accept your body, but still want to change it. Now what?
‘If I accept my body, it means I’m giving up on myself.’
This deep rooted belief echoes through so many of the conversations I have with clients and especially those who have spent years chasing body change through diets or rigid wellness plans.
The fear is that self-acceptance will somehow signal complacency, not self-care. But emerging research and clinical experience show the opposite: that acceptance-based approaches actually support long-term health behaviour change, rather than hinder it.
Let’s explore what body acceptance really means and why it’s not the end of your health journey…
What Is Body Acceptance?
Body acceptance is not about giving up on yourself. It’s about respecting your body as it is now, while still allowing space for growth, healing, or change, without shame or self-punishment.
Rather than being passive, this mindset helps support sustainable self-care by reducing the internal stress and self-criticism that often derail healthy intentions.
Research over the last decade has found that:
Self-compassion and body appreciation are linked to better eating habits, increased physical activity, and lower levels of disordered eating
Weight stigma and body dissatisfaction are independently associated with poorer physical and mental health outcomes, regardless of BMI
Acceptance-based interventions, have shown promising outcomes in improving body image and reducing binge eating and emotional eating
A Different Perspective
Imagine treating your body like a partner, someone who’s been with you through everything. Would you only offer your partner love and care if they met some impossible standard of perfection?
Just like your loved ones, your body deserves compassion, regardless of how it looks or functions right now.
Diet culture tells us that acceptance is equivalent to failure or letting yourself go, but the truth is, body acceptance is a powerful act of agency. It allows you to make choices based on your values and needs, not from fear or self-loathing.
To begin this journey ask yourself the following questions:
1. Why do I want to change my body? Be honest about why you want to change it. Write your thoughts down.
2. Are these thoughts coming from a place of compassion, self-loathing or fear? Examine each thought individually and make a note.
A fear-based thought could be I want to lose weight because my partner won’t love me
A compassion-based thought could be I want to lose weight to be in less pain
3. Ask yourself if each individual thought is actually true? Do these beliefs hold up under scrutiny. How would you respond if a loved one expressed similar thoughts?
Recognise that attempting to punish yourself into change through self-hatred is unsustainable and doesn’t work. True transformation comes from a foundation of self-compassion and acceptance. By embracing your body with kindness and understanding, you’ll pave the way for genuine healing.
You are inherently deserving of love, respect, and acceptance -just as you are.
Navigating the complexities of emotional and disordered eating requires a multifaceted approach, that prioritises mental and emotional well-being alongside physical health. Reach out for support HERE if you would like to book in a complimentary call to find out how I can help.
This is something I also explore in my best-selling book: The Binge Freedom Method™ which lays out the exact framework I use with clients to address the root causes of their food and body challenges .
If you’re looking for a place to start your journey to a balanced , mindful relationship with food, download my Breaking the Cycle Starter Kit for FREE. This is your gateway to transforming your eating patterns and building a mindful, balanced, and joyful relationship with food and includes practical tools and insights to help you begin today.