How to Accept Your Body

Have you ever tried to squeeze your foot into a shoe that was two sizes too small? It probably hurt a lot and made walking almost impossible. You likely wouldn’t be mad at your foot for not fitting. You would just find a bigger shoe.

how to accept your body

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This is a great way to think about your body. The authors of Intuitive Eating explain it perfectly:

“Just as a person with a shoe size of eight would not expect to realistically squeeze into a size six, it is equally futile (and uncomfortable) to have a similar expectation about body size.”1

Learning how to accept your body is all about treating it with dignity. It is hard to feel good about yourself if you are always criticizing your shape. This article will help you learn to respect your body right now, exactly as it is.

Accept Your Genetic Blueprint

We all have a genetic blueprint. This is the plan our DNA has for us, like how tall we will be or what color our eyes are. It also helps determine our body size. Trying to force your body to be something it is not meant to be is a losing battle. It only leads to being at war with yourself.

Instead of fighting your natural shape, try to accept it. This does not mean you have to love every single part of yourself instantly. It just means you respect your body enough to stop trying to shrink it into a size that isn’t healthy for you. If you are curious about how this connects to your overall health, you can read more about the Full Plate Community and our philosophy.

Get Comfortable in Your Clothes

One of the easiest ways to start respecting your body is to wear clothes that actually fit. Many people hold onto “skinny clothes” hoping they will fit into them one day. Or they wear underwear that is too tight because they don’t think they deserve to buy a new size.

“Wearing panties, a bra, or briefs that are constantly pinching or riding up is highly uncomfortable. How can you be comfortable in your body when you have an unpleasant reminder constantly binding your body?”2

Do yourself a favor and get rid of clothes that pinch or squeeze you. You deserve to be comfortable right now. When you dress in clothes that fit well, you stop thinking about your body size all day long. This helps you focus on more important things in life.

Quit the Body-Check Game

Do you ever walk into a room and immediately compare yourself to everyone else? This is called the body-check game. You might look around to see who is smaller or larger than you. This game is dangerous because it makes you feel insecure.

Comparing yourself to others blinds you from seeing your own unique beauty. It creates body worry that isn’t necessary. If you find yourself doing this, try to stop and distract yourself. Remind yourself that everyone is different, and that is a good thing. If you are struggling with these thoughts, join our community or have a look at our intuitive eating resources might provide some helpful tools.

how to accept your body

Stop Body Bashing

Body bashing is when you say mean things about your own body. You might look in the mirror and criticize a specific part of yourself. This creates a cycle of feeling bad.

“Every time you focus on your ‘imperfect’ body parts it creates more self-consciousness and body worry.”3

Try to catch yourself when you say something negative. Replace that mean thought with a kind one. For example, instead of complaining about your legs, you could say, “I am grateful that my legs allow me to walk and run.” It takes practice, but being kind to yourself makes a big difference.

Treat Your Body like an Instrument

A great way to change your mindset is to view your body as an instrument, not an ornament. This means focusing on what your body can do rather than just how it looks. Your body is amazing. It allows you to hug your friends, play sports, and experience the world.

Do nice things for your body to show it respect. You can:

  • Take a bubble bath with nice smelling oils.
  • Put on lotion that feels soothing.
  • Get a massage or ask a friend for a neck rub.
  • Rest when you are tired.

If you are ready to stop fighting your body and start respecting it, we would love to help you on your journey. You can join our community to connect with others who are learning to accept themselves too.

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FAQ

 

Respecting your body means treating it with dignity and meeting its basic needs, even if you don’t love every part of how it looks. It involves wearing comfortable clothes, feeding it when it is hungry, and stopping the habit of saying mean things about your shape. It is about accepting your genetic blueprint, just like you accept your shoe size.

It is normal to have those feelings because we live in a culture that praises thinness. However, Intuitive Eating teaches that focusing on weight loss often hurts your ability to make peace with food and your body. True body acceptance means respecting your body as it is right now, rather than waiting for it to change before you treat it well. You can read more about this on our page regarding can you lose weight with intuitive eating.

Comparing yourself to others is known as the “body-check game.” To stop, you must first notice when you are doing it. When you walk into a room, catch yourself if you start looking at other people’s sizes. Remind yourself that body diversity is natural and that comparing only breeds insecurity.

Wearing clothes that are too tight or uncomfortable serves as a constant, negative reminder of your body size. It pinches and binds, making you feel bad physically and emotionally. Buying clothes that fit your current body shows that you respect yourself enough to be comfortable today, which helps you move on with your life.

Your genetic blueprint is the plan your DNA has for your body. Just like your genes decide your eye color and hair texture, they also play a huge role in your body size and shape. Accepting this blueprint helps you realize that fighting your natural size is as futile as trying to squeeze into a smaller shoe size.

To stop “body bashing,” start by keeping track of how many times you say something mean about your body in a day. Once you are aware of it, try to replace those negative comments with gratitude. Focus on what your body does for you, like allowing you to hug loved ones or walk in the park.

You can pamper your body to show it respect. Try taking a bubble bath, using nice lotions, getting a massage, or simply resting when you need it. Viewing your body as an instrument that allows you to experience life, rather than just an ornament to be looked at, changes how you treat it.

It can be hard to do this alone. You might find it helpful to work with a professional who understands these challenges. A certified intuitive eating counselor can guide you through the process of respecting your body and making peace with food.

Sources


1: Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, 4th ed. (New York: St. Martin’s Essentials, 2020), 224.
2: Tribole and Resch, Intuitive Eating, 226.
3: Tribole and Resch, Intuitive Eating, 228.