What People Think Body Acceptance Is vs. What It Actually Is
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Have you ever felt pressured by societal standards to love every part of your body all the time? Do you struggle with negative thoughts about your appearance?
In this enlightening episode of Embrace Your Real, we dive into the concept of body acceptance and debunk common myths. Discover what true body acceptance looks like and how it differs from popular misconceptions. This episode aims to provide clarity and practical advice for embracing your body and fostering a healthy self-image.
If you loved this episode, be sure to tune in to…
Episode 212: My Thoughts On Body Acceptance
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Transcript:
[00:00:00] Hey, hey, beautiful human. Can I steal five minutes of your time? I have something super important to share with you, but I promise I'll be really quick. You're listening to my weekly bonus episode of Embrace Your Real with me, Julie Ledbetter. I'm about to give you a quick tip for building your confidence, honoring your body, and unconditionally loving your authentic self. Stay tuned. If you're ready to embrace your real let's get it. Let's go. [00:00:31]
[00:00:32] Hello and welcome back to another bonus episode. What people think body acceptance is versus what it is. Actually, I want to talk about what body acceptance is like. What does it actually mean? I think this is super important for us to understand. So we don't go chasing another unattainable goal. Because here's the truth. In today's image driven society, the concept of body acceptance is so mis understood, and I believe that many people hold this misconception about what it truly means to accept and love their bodies, which is actually causing more issues in the long run. And so that's exactly what we're going to be talking about in today's bonus episode. We're going to be kind of exploring what people commonly think body acceptance is versus what it actually is. Before we dive in, though, I want to share this review. It comes from ash Rose Marie. She gave a five star review and said, love it. This is the first podcast I've ever loved. This keeps me motivated and I learned so much. All the small changes have slowly led to big changes that is sustainable. I look forward to every episode. Oh, I love it so much. This is exactly why I do the podcast. So thank you so, so much for taking time out of your day to send in this review. [00:01:41][68.9]
[00:01:41] I genuinely love reading your reviews. I love seeing them and they help so much. Just get the word out on this podcast to reach more women, which is ultimately our goal. Okay, so let's dive into what people think body acceptance is. People think body acceptance is number one, never judging photos of herself. And this is a common belief that body acceptance means that you're never having a critical thought about your appearance in photos. People imagine that those who accept their bodies are always happy and confident with how they look and picture is never picking themselves apart. And this is not actually what body acceptance looks like. People, number two think that body acceptance is always feeling confident. Many people assume that true body acceptance means that you always feel confident. You're always self-assured in yourself no matter what you're doing. You know, they think that once you accept your body, that these annoying feelings of doubt and insecurity just magically disappear, leaving you feeling 100% confident in the time you know, all the time, no matter what. And this is not what body acceptance actually looks like. Number three, people think that body acceptance always is feeling comfortable in a swimsuit. Again, it's often thought that if you accept your body, you're just naturally going to feel comfortable in a swimming suit or any revealing clothing. And people think that body acceptance means that you never feel self-conscious or hesitant about showing your body. And this is couldn't be further from the truth. This is not what body acceptance looks like. Number four people think that body acceptance is loving every ebb and flow of your body experience. People think that you know, body acceptance involves loving every single change and fluctuation in your body that you go through like you gained weight. [00:03:17][95.6]
[00:03:17] Love it. You feel bloated. Amazing. New wrinkles. Beautiful. This is not what body acceptance looks like. Number five people think that body acceptance looks like having no more insecure moments or days. This is a misconception that body acceptance means that you never have these moments or days of insecurity. People believe that accepting your body equals, you know, living in this constant state of self-love and confidence with no room for negative thoughts like zero. This is again not what body acceptance looks like. People think that body acceptance is loving the way that your body looks 24 seven. It seems to be always assumed that body acceptance equals that. We love every aspect of our body appearance all the time. That you have this unwavering love for your body appearance and again at all times. And this is not what body acceptance looks like. Okay, so now that we've kind of discussed what body acceptance isn't, I want to reframe your mind and I want to propose what I believe self-acceptance actually looks like. Number one, it's knowing that you are more than a body. True body acceptance, in my opinion, involves recognizing that your worth and your identity and your happiness extend far beyond your physical appearance. It's about understanding that you are valuable and you are significant and beautiful and unique and special for who you are, not just how you look. This, to me, is what body acceptance looks like. Body acceptance also looks like honoring your body even when you don't love it. That's right, honoring it even when you don't love it. Body acceptance means treating your body with respect and care. Even on those days that you don't feel particularly positive about it. It's about nourishing and honoring your body regardless of how you feel about its appearance. [00:05:07][110.1]
[00:05:08] This is what body acceptance looks like. Number three accepting poor body image days and reflecting on your internal dialog. Body acceptance to me includes acknowledging and accepting those days that you just you feel negatively about your body without judging yourself or placing labels on your body. Instead, you just use those moments to reflect on why you're having this internal dialog and trying to figure it out of what is causing it. This, to me, is what body acceptance looks like. Body acceptance looks like number four choosing to show up for your life even when negative thoughts about your body take over. It's about continuing to fully engage in your life. It's about being 100% present even when negative body thoughts try to take over. Body acceptance means that you're not letting these thoughts stop you from living your life or pursuing your passions. That you have these thoughts, but you you don't. You go and do the thing anyways, right? Those thoughts don't hold power over you and they don't dictate your decisions. This to me is what body acceptance looks like. And lastly, number five, body acceptance looks like defining what your body means to you. Body acceptance involves creating your own understanding and definition of what your body means to you, based on your personal values, and not on society's body standards. Overall body acceptance means acknowledging the many, many complexities of your relationship with your body, but still committing to the journey. We aren't trying to be perfect, and we don't expect our journey to be perfect. We're just trying to search for more compassion and understanding for our bodies. If you love this episode, I know you will also love episode 212 my Thoughts on Body Acceptance. I will go ahead and link that in the show notes below, so that you can easily go check that out. [00:06:59][110.8]
[00:07:00] I hope that this episode was helpful for you. I hope that it's one that you can bookmark and tune in on the days that you're feeling just insecure, on the days that you're feeling like blah. I hope that this just gives you some further greater pep talk that reminds you that body acceptance is so much more than what we initially think, and it involves so many complexities, and it's a constant journey. It's a journey that we will likely forever be on in our life, and it's one that personally, if you have faith like I do, and God, that one that I constantly give to him and I say, God, just allow me to see myself through your eyes. Allow me to live my life the way that you desire me to live. Allow me to honor my body as a vessel for you. The gifts, the talents, the unique quirks about me are all so intricately created by you, and I want to appreciate that. So I hope again that this episode helped you. If you have a friend or a coworker, someone in your life that you feel like would really benefit from this specific episode, I just ask that you copy the link and send it to them in a text message. You can also screenshot this and post it up on your Instagram story. I always love connecting with you guys and seeing your moments, but that is all that I have for today's episode. I love you so much, I mean it. I'd like to be the next one [00:08:12][72.1]
[00:08:12] All right, sister, that's all I got for you today. But I have two things that I need you to do. First thing, if you are not already following me on the gram, be sure to do so. Julie A Ledbetter. Yes, it's with an A in the middle for that daily post-workout real talk, healthy tips and tricks, and honest accountability to keep your mind and heart in check. The second thing, be sure to subscribe to Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. Thank you so much for joining me. It means the absolute world, and I'm going to leave you with one last thought. The most beautiful women that I have met in my life are the ones who are completely confident and secure in being authentically themselves. Remember that beauty goes so much deeper than the surface. So go out there and embrace it real because you're worth it. [00:09:26][0.0]