Day 2: 30 days to body acceptance Challenge

How exercise boosts your feelings of self worth and body positivity.

You're probably familiar with the saying, "No pain, no gain." It's a mindset that a lot of people adopt when it comes to working out. And while there's some truth to it, this way of thinking can actually take the fun out of fitness.

The good news is that there's another way to look at exercise—one that focuses on the positive outcomes rather than the pain. When you approach fitness from this perspective, you'll find that not only does your workout feel better, but you'll also start to see yourself in a new light.

all bodies are good bodies—that no one is ever too skinny or too curvy, and that everyone has a right to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Before we get into how exercise intersects with body positivity and acceptance, let's take a moment to define these concepts. Body positivity is the idea that all bodies are good bodies—that no one is ever too skinny or too curvy, and that everyone has a right to feel comfortable in their own skin. Body acceptance is the practice of accepting your body, exactly as it is, right now.

For a long time, the fitness industry has been built on the idea of "perfection." You only deserve to feel good about yourself if you can fit into a certain mold, or if you have washboard abs and bulging biceps. But this isn't healthy, and it certainly doesn't promote self-love. Thankfully, the body positivity movement is working to change all that.

When it comes to your body positivity, exercise is a key factor. Exercise can help boost your feelings of self-worth and body positivity in a number of ways. For one, it can make you feel stronger and more capable, both physically and mentally. You start to see your body as an instrument that you can use to do amazing things, rather than something that's holding you back.

Exercise can also help improve your body image. As you get stronger and more flexible , you start to see your body in a more positive light. You start to notice all the amazing things your body can do. You become more comfortable in your own skin, and you learn to love the parts of yourself that used to make you feel self-conscious. Exercise teaches you to be kinder and more accepting of yourself, no matter what shape or size you are.

Exercise does not need to be painful or something you dread. So, how do we start incorporating exercise into our lives in a way that won't make us feel terrible about ourselves? Well, the key is finding activities that we actually enjoy.

That might mean going for a walk in the park, taking a dance class or hitting up the gym. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it gets your heart rate up and you're moving your body. And if you find that you really don't enjoy exercise, don't worry – there are plenty of other ways to be active, like swimming, hiking or biking.

The important thing is to find something that works for you and makes you feel good. When we do things we enjoy, it boosts our self-worth and helps us feel more positive about our bodies.

Once you’ve taken the plunge and committed to an exercise program, it’s important to find ways to stay motivated. For many of us, it can be difficult to stay on track and make progress in our fitness journey. A great trick is to harness the power of positive thinking. Positive mantras can be a great way to increase your motivation and build self-worth.

For example, If you want to become stronger or increase your endurance, create a mantra that encapsulates your desired outcome. Whether it’s “I will become stronger with each workout” or “I can do anything for 20 minutes!”, mantras help keep your eyes on the prize and keep you pushing forward when things get tough.

Another option is to find something special just for you. Maybe it’s a playlist of songs that puts you in the zone or a piece of jewelry that helps remind you of your own strength—whatever makes you feel confident, take it along with you on your workout journey.

Surrounding yourself with supportive people is a great way to boost your feelings of self-worth and body positivity. This doesn't mean you have to give up all the friends who don't think like you, but it does mean that you should make an effort to reach out to those who are supportive. They can provide encouragement and help you stay focused on setting and achieving your fitness goals. They can also celebrate your successes with you and lift you up in difficult times. And even if they aren’t into fitness, they may still be able to provide emotional support as you navigate this journey.

Look for people in real life or online who are open-minded, kind, nonjudgmental, positive, and inspiring. Having positive role models help keep your spirits high, and make exercise enjoyable instead of a chore.

exercise doesn't have to be about losing weight it should be about appreciating the different things your body can do.

If you're looking for a way to connect with your body during physical activity, try slow, mindful movement. Choose activities that aren't about burning calories or reaching a certain goal; instead focus on the sensations that arise in your body as you move. This can help give you an appreciation for what it's able to do and how powerful it can be.

Don't forget the importance of positive affirmations and positive self-talk—say affirmations to yourself while you work out such as "I'm doing this for my well-being” or “I'm grateful for my body's strength." It may feel awkward at first, but over time it will become second nature and instantly boost your feelings of self-worth.

I know that exercise can be something a lot of plus size people dread because we've all heard go and exercise to lose weight. So we associate exercising to something negative. But as I said earlier, exercise doesn't have to be about losing weight it should be about appreciating the different things your body can do.

It turns out that one of the best things you can do for your mental health and body image is to start exercising. Exercise can help boost your feelings of self-worth and body positivity, and it can help you learn to love your body just the way it is. So if you're looking for a way to feel better about yourself, start exercising today.

Today’s challenge : post a video of yourself doing an exercise you love. That can mean going to the gym or going swimming, whatever works for you. Tag me in the video and i’ll repost.

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