Hey there. Here’s a truth that might be hard to hear but is absolutely essential: You can’t truly appreciate your body until you love yourself first. I know that sounds cliché, maybe even frustrating, especially if you’ve been working hard on your fitness journey and aren’t seeing the results you want emotionally. But it’s the foundation of real, lasting change. Everything starts from the inside out.
Once you learn to love yourself, every part of you becomes something you can appreciate, respect, and nurture. That doesn’t mean you’ll never want to make changes or improvements, growth is natural, and your body will change as you build a forever active lifestyle. But if you don’t learn to love yourself first, no amount of external change will ever feel like enough. You’ll constantly be stuck in a loop of criticism, never fully satisfied with your progress.
Why Is Loving Yourself So Hard?
Let’s be honest, it’s not easy. We live in a world that constantly tells us we’re not enough. From social media feeds filled with “perfect” bodies to personal relationships where people might project their insecurities onto you, the message is loud and clear: You should be different.
But here’s the the question though, why do they get to decide how you feel about yourself?
It’s up to you. You have the power to choose how you see yourself. And yes, it’s easier said than done, but it starts with making a conscious decision. You’ll know when someone truly loves themselves, it’s visible in how they carry themselves, in their confidence and authenticity. And that’s not faking it, it’s about reinforcing that decision every single day.
It’s a Daily Practice, Not a Quick Fix
Making the choice to love yourself is just the beginning. Reinforcing that love is where the real work happens. Every day, the world will challenge your self-worth, whether through a negative comment, unrealistic beauty standards, or even your own inner critic.
And let me tell you: You will slip up. That’s okay. You’re human. What matters is how you respond when it happens. If you used to dwell on a negative thought for a week and now it only sticks with you for two days, that’s progress. On the flip side, if you find yourself stuck longer than usual, forgive yourself and commit to trying again next time.
This journey isn’t linear. It’s messy, it’s ongoing, and it requires patience. But every time you choose to be kind to yourself, every time you let go of a negative thought a little faster than before, you’re winning.
I’ve Been There Too
I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t measure up. If we’re going by society’s “ideal” body standards for men, I don’t check most of the boxes. I’m not tall enough, my body composition doesn’t currently match the stereotypical fitness model, and I have a physical disability that affects the majority of my body.
But I choose to see my strengths. I choose to appreciate my efforts, acknowledge my capabilities, and respect the journey I’ve been on. None of that came from changing how I looked—it came from changing how I thought about myself.
And you can make those choices too. You have the power to build confidence, appreciate your body, and recognize your own unique strengths.
Your Body Is Unique, And That’s Worth Celebrating
Here’s something the fitness industry doesn’t like to tell you: Every body is different. Even if two people are the same height and weight, they’re going to look different. Your body is yours alone, and that uniqueness is something to appreciate—not something to “fix.”
The industry often markets against your insecurities by promoting an “ideal body” that most people can’t achieve. And even if you fit that standard today, it might shift tomorrow. You don’t need to chase those ever-changing ideals, you need to appreciate your body for what it is and what it does for you every day.
Ready to Start Building from the Inside Out?
If this resonates with you, if you’re tired of chasing external validation and ready to start truly loving yourself from the inside out, I invite you to take the next step with me.
Join The YLF Experience and get the guidance and support you need to build a forever active lifestyle…one that helps you appreciate who you are, from the inside out.