Body love #3. Acceptance
Body love for optimal body composition
Acceptance throughout this journey for improved body composition is vital, and one of the most challenging. It’s an essential companion to all areas that we cover in this Body Love = A Lovely Body post series; including self care, hard work, accountability & freedom.
If you haven’t already read post #1 + #2, or would like a refresh, click here to find them anytime.
A good place to start with acceptance, is accepting that you are born with one physical body, in which you have sole power over. And if you struggle to honestly accept what ya mumma gave you, and are forever chasing someone else’s physical form, you’re going to have a real hard time making a change at all. And/or potentially making yourself really unhappy trying to do so.
Self acceptance pairs beautifully with self care & accountability, as they support you to continually move forward with pride. And prevents you from succumbing to ice- cream & muumuu’s just because you’re ‘big boned’ or ‘predisposed’ to..xyz.
Acceptance in this story does not mean giving up. It means acknowledging the cards you’ve been dealt, and playing your very best hand, the best way you can. Which also means, accountability & hard work.
It’s accepting responsibility for your own self, and YOURSELF alone. Not someone’s else self.
Self acceptance requires you to REALLY know yourself, inside and out. Which promotes positive self compassion, and more informed decision making. Because you will be more aware of what you actually want and need. Not what society/marketing/advertising tells you want you need & want.
This includes knowing when to reach out for help or educating yourself appropriately. Leaving behind sheep-like behaviours, uneducated & irrational judgements, purchases, and self-diagnosing.
If the concept of self-awareness before self-acceptance is unfamiliar territory, or you are prone jump from one quick fix to another at the drop of a shiny instagram post, I would highly recommend beginning a regular mindfulness or meditation practice. As these practices can promote mental clarity, energy conservation, as well as helping uncover underlying limiting factors that need to be address first.
Such practices should not be overlooked, and are most valuable when practiced daily. This may involve meditation, journaling, guided mindfulness, visualisations, controlled breath work, sensory deprivation floating, yoga, playing music etc. Find what works for you, use it as a tool to bring yourself into the present. Into YOU.
Fully accepting who you are can take weeks, months or even years for many people. Especially if you have years of self-denial to un-do. But this is A-OK.
Simply start with right now. Accept you, as you are. Right now, in this very moment. Give yourself a smile, and acknowledge that you are not defined by your past, and you are not yet that person in the future. The person in the present moment, is all you truly have to work with. So give YOU all you have.
Acceptance gives you honest power to provide your body with what it actually needs. Therefore, reducing unnecessary stresses and expectations that have negative body composition outcomes. Instead, it promotes positive sustainable, physiological changes.
Accept, more forward, win.
For extra support or advice, seek out health professionals such; nutritionist, naturopaths, life coaches, well educated personal trainers, even reiki practitioners. Each modality has unique qualities that can be incredibly valuable in helping you uncover your true potential through acceptance.
In health & love x