How to Love Your Body at Any Weight

From movie stars to postpartum moms, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’s completely satisfied with their bodies. But you don’t have to be stuck in a cycle of negativity. 

Body positivity isn’t always easy, but it’s possible with a few strategies and some help from Meridith Womick, MD, and our team of doctors and health coaches at the Metabolic Medical Center. 

This blog covers simple ways you can start loving your body today — whether or not you’re at your goal weight. 

Fake it until you make it

The first step toward loving your body at any weight is to change how you think and talk about yourself. Stop the negative comments, especially when you’re in front of the mirror, and replace them with positive ones (even if you don’t believe them yet).

You’re essentially using cognitive behavioral therapy methods to retrain your brain over time and change the way you see yourself. 

You can speed up the process by posting positive, encouraging notes on your mirror, in your car, and around your kitchen, bedroom,  and office space. And remember: The notes don’t always have to be about your looks. Include positive comments about your character and personality to complement your overall positive attitude.

Ditch the bad habits

Body negativity is everywhere. You can get swept up in it when you watch TV, flip through magazines, and even talk to your friends. 

Decide today that you will become your own body image advocate and get rid of the things that make you feel inferior (we’re looking at you, social media). 

This goes for toxic relationships, too. You may need to set some firm boundaries with friends and family members who make comments about your weight. 

Don’t focus on the scale

It’s easy to get hung up on what the scale tells you and ignore what your body is saying. Instead of focusing on a number, pay closer attention to how you feel. As you learn to love your body and work with us on reaching a healthier lifestyle, you might notice that clothes fit differently, you can take a flight of stairs without collapsing at the top, and your sleep habits improve. 

These are all signs of positive progress, even if the number on the scale hasn’t moved as much as you wanted it to. 

Go easy on yourself

Weight loss is a journey, and journeys are rarely without their setbacks. You’re going to spurge once in a while, skip a few workouts, and miss a few milestones. Swap perfection for steady progress and focus on the bigger picture. 

That's why we strongly encourage you to work with our team of experts. We help you create a game plan that doesn’t box you in or feel impossible, we work with you when you lose motivation, and we walk with you every step of the way. 

Quit comparing yourself

Comparing yourself to anyone is a recipe for disaster – and it could even stall your progress. Remember that there are healthy people in all shapes and sizes. What matters is how you feel, not what’s trendy on social media. 

Loving your body starts today

Getting over years of body negativity is often the hardest part of any weight loss journey. Fortunately, you don’t have to do any of it alone. 

Our team is standing by to help you get started. Schedule a consultation with one of our specialists today. We proudly serve patients in Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Murrells Inlet, Columbia, and Bluffton, South Carolina.