I believe there is a fine line between learning to accept your body and becoming complacent with your body. In my fitness journey, while I love my body, I still think it is important to continually work on the best version of “me.” Body acceptance doesn’t mean to stop working out and eating whatever. It is about discovering, and maintaining the right balance between appreciation and determination.
Here is a few things I keep in mind daily:
1. Healthy mindset is the most important thing to become fit.
Without knowing how to balance exercising with resting, junk food with healthy food, and perseverance with patience, then nothing you do can be sustainable. My first year I started working out, I was so scared of falling off the wagon, that I tried to be perfect. I worked out almost every day and tried eating right 24/7. Which lead to downfall of indulgence and laziness. I never saw much changes. Until I relaxed, took a step back, and realized it is alright to “mess” up, it just about balance.
2. It is all relative.
We all have things we don’t like and so there is no need to compare yourself to others, or allow others to compare you. There is no scale to determine perfection, perfection is all relative. Looking “skinnier” or “fitter” is only how much you perceive yourself to be.
3. Only workout and eat right because it makes you feel good.
Once you feel this pressure to get “fit” for another reason, i.e. boyfriend, friends, looking hotter, whatever it is, it will be difficult to continue. So find what you “love” about fitness and use that as fuel to keep you going.