Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight

by Linda Bacon

These fears are not only unfounded, but also stand in the way of your ability to make changes. Change comes from valuing and caring about yourself enough to want to improve your life. By first learning to have a positive relationship with your body, even if that body is not “perfect,” you strengthen your ability to make change.

Then recognize that you have a choice. You can choose your own standard of beauty, one that is realistic and respectful, or you can choose society’s hurtful standards. Just remember: You only have one body and despite how well you live your life, it may never change.

When you eat what you want and allow yourself to truly experience the pleasure, you feel satisfaction and contentment, which allows you to stop eating when you feel full. I’m not just saying this to make you feel good; numerous studies support this: Eating pleasurable food when you have a physical drive to eat won’t trigger consistent overeating in intuitive eaters.