Some of your biggest AHA moments grab a hold of you when you least expect it. Today a client and I were discussing goals and aim for her workouts and we came up with the phrase “Acceptance without settling” Many people have a hard time accepting their body. They believe that acceptance is a cop-out, settling, giving up, not actually a goal. This confusion about what acceptance is not serving us. The media has helped perpetuate this ideal with the controversy over “Fat Acceptance Movement” “Thin Privilege” “Fat Shaming” “Fit shaming” I have major issues with all these generality trends, but that is not what I am here to talk about.
I’m here to talk about self acceptance. So all I am going to say about shaming:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt.
So stop making yourself feel inferior. Combat that negativity with some confidence, self love, acceptance and happiness and watch your life transform.
Acceptance is for EVERYONE, in every stage of their lifelong journey. If you cannot accept yourself at the size/shape/weight you are now, when will you? Will you feel satisfied when you hit that “goal”? There is no guarantee you will be happier or more satisfied. So let’s try a different approach: Accept yourself without settling. You can still strive to be your best you, while accepting and loving yourself along the way. It is proven that positive motivation helps maintain a goal better than negative motivation. I’m sorry ladies and gentleman you cannot hate your body skinny. You cannot shame your body fit. It’s not healthy, not sustainable, and quite honestly sounds like a miserable day to day life.
To reference a mentor of mine Jill Coleman says “It’s not sexy” When talking about her #moderation365 movement she reminds us that fads are sexy. Everyone gives so many praises to people on extremely strict diets and/or exercise programs. Eating moderately is not “sexy”. (Check out her movement on Instagram #moderation365 or on her website www.jillfit.com) Many believe that moderation is a cop-out, settling, giving up, not actually a goal. Well that is how we also view acceptance. Being happy and accepting your body is not sexy, not appealing to most people. Some may even consider you stuck up, right? If you receive a compliment about your body without justifying yourself or using a “yah, but” response you are conceited. The norm is to complain, or pick out imperfections. Let’s take a stand and change this!
Accept yourself without settling. Keep striving for your goals, but keep a positive outlook on who you are right now. Loving your body at any size does not mean that you cannot strive to change it. Keep pushing yourself, challenging your limits, reaching your goals! Change your mindset, change your life. Give yourself the win today and continue to be AWESOME!
This is one of those “easier said, than done” concepts. Surround yourself with positive content and positive people. Each day say something nice about yourself in the mirror. You have to start somewhere =)