Your Body Was Never The Problem

Written By: Sarah Poling

Let’s shout that louder for those in the back! Your body was never the problem and it will never be the problem regardless of how often we’re sold the idea that we must shrink ourselves and constantly be hypervigilant over our bodies to be accepted, heard, loved, relevant, and seen. Your best self is not your smallest self because you are enough just as you are. It’s diet culture and the diet industry that are the real culprits and problems as they profit off our deepest insecurities and disconnect us from ourselves.

Shifting the Narrative

We want to share with you how shifting this narrative can change your life and in the process help you regain and reclaim your health, power, and sense of self that is often lost during the exhausting journey of chronic dieting and weight cycling. You’re not to blame. It’s not your fault that you’ve adopted the belief that your body is the problem or is the most important aspect of yourself that needs to be micromanaged on a daily basis. Most people over-identify with their body and this often stems from early childhood trauma, absence of secure relationship attachments, co-occurring mental health disorders, and existing in a society that is deeply rooted in fat phobia and weight stigma. The good news is that we can dismantle, disrupt, and drop out of diet culture and any systems of oppression that trigger thoughts and feelings surrounding changing your body.

The dietitians at Karuna are experts at helping folks navigate making peace with food and their bodies and we often find that it is so much easier to make peace with food before finally making peace with your body. Research shows that 55%-80% of women and 35% of men don’t like the way they look. Not liking the way we look and experiencing negative body image can have a significant impact on our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health as we start to not only restrict our food intake to attain the “ideal” body, but we also restrict our experiences and relationships.

Body Image Reminders

The pursuit of weight loss will never be good enough and it doesn’t leave you feeling satisfied.  If you have a negative body image or often believe your body is a problem to be solved, we want to remind you of the following:

• You do not need to define your values based on values society deems appropriate – you can empower yourself to choose which values align with your authenticity.
• Your body is NOT the problem, society basing your worth off your body IS the problem. You are more than a body and your body doesn’t define you.
• Your body will change throughout your life and that is healthy and normal. You are capable of living a valued inspired life in your happy, healthy body.
• All bodies deserve care, nourishment, and love regardless of appearance, shape, and size.
  

Body Image Reflections

You deserve peace and freedom from viewing yourself as a ‘before and after picture’ and the limitations created by deprivation and dieting. As you begin this work of cultivating self-compassion and body trust, here are some helpful reflections to consider:

• Where did these beliefs surrounding my body originate from? 
• Are these familiar messages from family members or friends?
• Do these beliefs and messages harm me or help me move toward my values?
• Imagine a day without negative body thoughts and food restriction. What would be different in my life?
• What would my relationship with my body, food, and movement be like without restrictive conditions? How would I be showing up for myself and others?
• What is one step I can take today to help me let go of harmful messages and move toward authenticity and freedom?

Are you ready to start shifting your body narrative from criticism to self-compassion and acceptance? Reach out to Karuna today to schedule a free intake call!

References:

Hoschek, Lisette. “The Problem Is NOT Your Body.” Recovery Warriors, 11 Nov. 2022, recoverywarriors.com/the-problem-is-not-your-body/. Accessed 1 July 2024.