Hey there. When you hear the term “body dysmorphia,” what comes to mind? For a lot of people, especially those going through a weight loss journey, it gets tossed around quickly. But body dysmorphic disorder is a real mental health condition, and it needs to be taken seriously. I’m not a therapist or a doctor, and most people you hear using this term online aren’t either. Still, I want to talk about the emotional side of this because how you feel about yourself matters.

Hey there. You’ve probably heard it before. “The gym is my therapy.” I’ve even said it myself. And while I understand where that phrase comes from, I want to be clear about something. The gym is a powerful tool for your mental and emotional health, but it is not therapy.

Hey there. Therapy is one of the most powerful tools we have for personal growth. A productive relationship with a therapist allows us to untangle the complicated thoughts and emotions we’ve carried for years and truly connect with who we are. But getting to that point isn’t always easy.