Changing Your Body: How to Start

Most people have an issue with how they look or how their body performs. Whether it’s a genetic bone structure, extra weight or the body’s abilities, we like to look for our flaws. We can do extreme diets to gain or lose weight, do crazy amounts of workouts or get cosmetic surgery, but none of those things will actually change how we feel about ourselves.

“If I looked better, I’d love myself more.” How do we change our bodies? Read on.

I have been overweight from a very young age. I dreaded gym class and hated when friends wanted to play games involving running or any physical skills. I was made fun of, picked last, and felt like that typical “fat kid” we so often see in movies. I struggled with why I was different and ultimately, marginalized.

Had God made me this way? If so, why? What was so different for everyone else who didn't have this problem?  After all, it was obvious they weren't overweight. Being dissatisfied with my body wasn’t unique. There were always people complaining about being fat and not liking their bodies. Often they blamed their eating habits on their lack of willpower.

If so many people believed that, it had to be true, right? I had no idea how to change my body. I didn’t know how to start.

When I think about my early body image influences, there are of course the media, family and friends, and perhaps some other influences. We all have a general understanding of healthy living.  We see the pictures on Instagram, look at the magazines, and listen to our trainer’s how-tos. We might even read their newsletters. We have all seen a YouTube video about healthy meal prep or maybe took a home economics class. We know the things. The problem isn’t willpower or that we don’t know how to eat or what to eat.


The problem is how we think about ourselves and how we treat our bodies as a result.  For a long time, I believed I was meant to be overweight. I could blame the many influences in my life, or even the newest "body positivity" fad which tends to glorify any shape or size rather than do what it was originally intended(give a voice to the fat, black, queer community). 

Maybe you can relate to some of the excuses I had:

- It's not possible for me to lose the extra weight.

- It's too hard.

- It's too much work.

- I don't have the time, money, etc.

- My husband is a picky eater. 

Blah blah, excuses.

So while I hung out in this “I can’t lose weight” cloud, I continued to give it all my energy.  Think of it like a sponge or a cloud. The more energy I give, the more the cloud soaks up. I don’t believe I am worthy. I don’t believe I can succeed. I will keep going there, because, hey, it’s what I deserve. We might also move the blame. I don’t feel good about myself and therefore not motivated to take care of myself.

Time for change

There will come the point in your life when a switch is flipped.  You’ve had enough.  You are ready to get started on those good habits and abolish the practices you don’t want.  Getting started means you have decided not to go back.  It means you’re all in, and you are willing to invest in yourself because you know you are worth it.  It’s almost like a new cloud appears.  It’s the “I’m becoming something new” cloud.  You start to give it your energy. The more you feed into your kind thoughts, your positive energy, your prayers, your time, the more it soaks up. 

The dark cloud doesn’t disappear instantly.  It hovers nearby because it has been there for a long time. It looms, unwanted. It isn’t easy to get rid of this cloud. You need to start by acknowledging it; then, you push back on it with the positive truths. This takes time. It’s not a quick fix.

This cloud or sponge -- it’s your brain. When you think about, talk about, and obsess about your body and limitations, all those thoughts get logged.  Neuro-pathways are created by repeating behaviour.  Think about it!  The first time you scraped your knee, mom offered you a freezie. The next time you scrape your knee, mom offers you a freezie.  And again.  And again.  And after just a handful of times, it has become a pattern and you now expect it.  The same goes with how you talk to yourself. If you constantly tell yourself you’re not good enough, you will believe it.

This also is the same pattern for emotional eating. At some point, food became the answer to life’s problems. If I was stressed, I would eat. If I was bored, I would eat. How should we celebrate? Let’s go eat! Even if I wasn’t feeling well, I thought maybe food would help. Food served as payment for work and a reward for difficulty. That pattern of behavior enabled 30 years of numbing. I was coping with every emotion using food. And if I’m being totally honest, I’m still doing it and trying to correct the behaviour. 

Since adolescence, I have always had at least 50 lbs extra weight on me.  At one point I had an extra 150+ lbs on me. As each pound multiplied, so did my self-doubt, low self-esteem, and hopelessness.  With those emotions came the desire to eat.  Can you relate to this vicious cycle?

I am capable of making changes.

The more I discover how my thinking affects my emotions and choices, the more I realize that I am in control. I learned how these patterns of eating behaviors were a habit and that I could interrupt those patterns. There were so many truths that I already know: I don’t feel good when I eat heavy bread and pasta.  I get a stomach ache when I eat a banana. My eczema flares up when I eat dairy. Eating a salad helps me feel energized whereas a large fry with gravy is going to make me feel sluggish and tired.

Recognizing what eating patterns make me feel good over time has helped to make better food choices. Validating myself and telling myself truths about how valuable I am has helped sustain better healthy lifestyle practices.

Whatever it is that is holding you back from making changes, acknowledge it.  You can take a step today just by being aware of your patterns and making small changes. You are capable of making changes. You can love yourself no matter what size or shape your body is. You are worthy of good health. 

Apply It

What choice could you make today to invest in yourself?

What positive truth can you remind yourself today?

How would that improve your health?

Reading this blog may give you a glimmer of hope in your circumstances and when you’re ready, you can move forward. If you’re ready, take that first step and book a no obligation call! CLICK HERE