Do you ever compare your previous body to your current body?

That's what I found myself doing earlier this week when I saw the picture in my Facebook feed. My body has changed since this picture was taken in 2013. At that time, I was an avid cyclist, Spin class “junkie” and smoothie drinking vegetarian. I didn’t realize at the time that I was likely orthorexic (obsession about eating “unhealthy” foods) but that’s a story for another time. ⁣
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To be honest, for a moment I lamented that I’m not as thin or as physically fit as I was at that time, but it was truly momentary. ⁣I knew that was diet culture talking.
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While I may not be at the same fitness level or weight I was then, I’m now moving my body for different reasons and I still feel great doing it. I'm also way more grateful for all that my body is able to do.

During my recovery, I've learned that if I allowed myself to get stuck in "comparisonitis" by focusing on how my body used to be, it could easily lead to depression and INACTIVITY. ⁣Over the years, I’ve heard many of my clients say that they don’t like exercise because they cannot do X anymore because of an injury, they're "too lazy", or because of their own internalized weight stigma.

When we gently explore more, they begin to see that the comparisonitis is often about perfectionism to do movement in a certain way, fear that they will start and quit, and self-sabotage because they create unrealistic demands setting themselves up for failure. ⁣

I assure you, it can be different though. Like most aspects of recovery, creating something different requires that beliefs be rewritten. This rewriting clears the emotional cobwebs and "shoulds" making room for a new and improved relationship with movement allowing them to meet their bodies where they're at now, instead of where they were 5, 10, or 15 years ago. I've experienced this personally and seen it with my courageous clients!

Imagine how your life could improve if you met your body where it's at now?

Interested in movement but not sure where to begin? My Joyful Movement at Last! program creates the space for you to recreate a healthy relationship with movement wherever your body is now. It also offers support in a dedicated Facebook group. Join us!