No matter where you are with your weight management goals, keeping a connection with your body improves your overall well-being.
Weight management can be challenging. You may have limited access to nutritious foods, or you may be so overworked that pouring any extra time or energy into meal planning and cooking sounds exhausting.
Reconnecting with your body is the first step on this journey.
Keep reading to learn some strategies that can help you improve your body awareness and foster a healthier relationship with weight management.
Mindful eating is centered on practicing awareness of how a person feels while eating — such as noticing the taste and textures of your foods and the emotions you’re experiencing — and honoring your fullness cues when they come.
Mindful eating is
Choosing movement that brings you joy, such as gardening, bicycling, or dancing, can help you incorporate regular exercise into your routine without making it feel like a chore.
Try to create an exercise plan that feels good to you and aligns with your body’s needs and preferences.
Other habits can reduce stress and promote better sleep, which can help you maintain a moderate weight in the long run.
Becoming aware of negative self-talk and body dissatisfaction is an important first step in improving body image.
Reframing how you think about food and your body can help you practice self-compassion and body kindness.
Appreciating your body’s health and function, rather than focusing on numbers on a scale or on how you look through a camera lens is a good place to start.
Because every person is different, it’s best to consult a licensed professional to help you identify how best to approach weight management and become more accepting of your body.
For some, structured reminders about an eating schedule, and the concept of listening to your body (mindful eating) might be enough.
Journaling may be helpful for some, but may lead to a focus or preoccupation with unhelpful thoughts for others.
It’s best to discuss with a treatment provider who can help distinguish useful tools for you personally.
Weight management can be daunting and may cause you to feel disconnected from your body for one reason or another.
Strategies for reconnection, such as eating mindfully, journaling, moving your body regularly, and fostering a positive body image focused on health goals rather than appearance goals, can help you improve your relationship with your body.