What If You Didn’t Have to Love Your Body to Take Care of It?

What If You Didn’t Have to Love Your Body to Take Care of It?
Let’s get real about body image, and why respect, not perfection, is the real goal.


The Real Talk: Body Image Is Hard (and You’re Not Broken for Struggling With It)

Body image isn’t just a fleeting “bad day” - for a lot of us, it’s woven into our every thought, mirror glance, and closet clean-out. On this week’s episode of Fit Friends Happy Hour, we dug into the wild (and honestly, heartbreaking) stats:

It’s no wonder so many of us feel like “loving” our body is a stretch - especially in a world still obsessed with shrinking it.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to love your body to respect it.
And in many cases, body respect is the much more sustainable (and sanity-saving) route.

What Is Body Respect, Really?

Think of body respect like that one coworker or extended family member you don’t exactly adore, but you still show up, listen, and treat them with basic kindness. Not because they’ve earned it. Because you operate from a place of integrity.

It’s the same with your body. Even when you’re bloated, breaking out, or having a “blah” week…what if you could still choose care over criticism?

Respecting your body means feeding it, moving it, dressing it, and resting it like it matters… even on the days you’re not vibing with your reflection.

What Body Respect Can Actually Look Like

It’s not about big dramatic changes, it’s the small stuff that adds up:

  • Feeding yourself when you’re hungry, even if it’s not “meal time” or what you planned to eat

  • Wearing the clothes that fit your right-now body, not your someday body (you deserve to breathe!)

  • Speaking to yourself like a friend, not a frenemy

  • Moving in ways that feel good, not to earn food or shrink yourself…yes, even if that means skipping the gym and opting for a walk, stretch, or nap instead

Your Lived Experience Matters

Body respect doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your experiences (especially your race, gender, body size, sexual orientation, ability, upbringing, etc) all shape how you feel in your body.

If you’re in a body that the world doesn't always see or treat with kindness, it can be even harder to show that kindness to yourself. This is why surrounding yourself with professionals and voices that get it (think inclusive therapists, dietitians, communities) is so important.

It’s a Practice, Not a Pinterest-Worthy Before & After

You won’t wake up one morning suddenly loving every roll, freckle, or dimple. (If only.)
But you can wake up tomorrow and make one more respectful choice than you did yesterday.

Try this:

  • Ask: Would I treat my body differently if it looked how I wanted it to?

  • Reflect: What would change if I stopped waiting on a goal weight to start being kind to myself?

  • Imagine: What if I moved my body for joy—not punishment?

Start by unfollowing accounts that make you feel like crap and following ones that reflect real, diverse bodies. Donate the jeans that haven't fit in 3 years. Shut down the inner mean girl when she starts comparing. Gratitude helps, too…your body does a lot for you, even when you're not noticing.

Final Thoughts: This Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Peace

As I shared on the pod, “This work is hard, but it’s possible. And it’s so worth it.”

You don’t have to go all-in on body love to start building a better relationship with yourself. Just start with respect. Start with one small act of kindness today.

Because you are worthy of care—not when you lose the weight, not when you finally “figure it out,” but right now. Exactly as you are.

Connect with Katie:

Meal Prep Like a Pro Without Obsessing Over Every Bite | www.katiehake.com/prep

Join our FREE 5-Day Walking Challenge | Walk with Me!

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