Jemma Haythorne on Body Acceptance

What if I told you that you could stop waiting for the day your body looks ‘right’ to start living your life fully?

What if I told you that being able to accept your body isn’t something you have to ‘earn’ by dieting, shrinking, or changing yourself to meet a beauty standard?

What if I told you that accepting your body could unlock a higher level of self-worth and confidence?

If that sounds impossible, I understand – I used to believe that too.

Body Acceptance is for ALL Bodies

For the longest time, I didn’t think I was ‘allowed’ to accept my body. I’d read about body acceptance but didn’t think it was for me. Everyone I saw talking about it looked like they’d already won the genetic lottery.

They could cover up their ‘flaws’ with high-waisted leggings or pose strategically in photos to fit the ideal body type. Their ‘raw and real’ moments were a few tummy rolls when they sat down.

None of that was possible for me! As someone in a larger body, I thought “Maybe I can accept my body one day… but not until it’s smaller”.

Here’s what I’ve learned: that’s a lie. Body acceptance isn’t a reward for meeting society’s beauty standards. It’s for all bodies, including the ones that don’t fit the mould. You don’t need to lose weight or meet anyone’s criteria to accept and appreciate yourself. You can start right now.

Body Acceptance vs. Body Positivity

If you’ve been on the Internet in the last 5 years, you’ve probably heard of the body positivity movement. It’s a movement that teaches us to love our bodies, including those parts that we might be self-conscious about like cellulite, stretch marks, rolls and body hair.

While that’s a beautiful message, loving your body can feel out of reach if you’re in a place where you actively dislike it.

That’s why I recommend focusing on accepting your body instead.

Body acceptance is about respecting and finding peace with your body exactly as it is. It’s not about loving every inch of yourself 24/7 — it’s about releasing the constant pressure to fight against your body and choosing to live in harmony with it.

This approach feels more achievable and sets the foundation for loving your body when you’re ready.

How to Accept Your Body

Ready to start accepting your body, no matter what it looks like? Here are three ways to begin…

1. Recognise that all bodies are good bodies

Beauty standards are nothing more than a social construct. They’ve been shaped by society, media and marketing to sell us the idea that only one type of body is worthy of love and acceptance. But here’s the good news — you don’t have to buy into it!

Educate yourself about the incredible diversity of bodies in the world. There isn’t just one ‘good’ body type; bodies come in all shapes, sizes and abilities, and every single one is worthy of respect and acceptance. Unpack beliefs you’ve picked up across your lifetime, like the idea that you have to look a certain way to be attractive, or that larger bodies are inherently lazy or unhealthy.  These beliefs aren’t facts; they’re stories you’ve been told, and you have the power to rewrite them.

Diversify what you’re exposed to. Curate your social media feed to include creators of all shapes, sizes, and colours who celebrate their bodies unapologetically. When you walk down the street, you don’t just see one type of body — so don’t let your online experience trick you into thinking that’s the truth.

The more you open your mind to the reality that all bodies are good bodies, the more freedom you’ll feel to embrace your own exactly as it is.

2. Change the way you speak to yourself

There’s a voice in your head that’s a bit of a mean girl, right? It pops up when you look in the mirror or tells you that everyone is judging you when you walk down the street. Here’s the thing: you don’t have to listen to that voice.

Think about what you say to yourself about your body. Would you say it to a friend? Your mum? A child? If the answer is no (and let’s face it, it probably is), then why are you saying them to yourself? Here’s your new rule: if you wouldn’t say it to someone you love, you don’t say it to yourself.

When you focus on the negatives about your body, that’s all you’ll see. Your thoughts dictate your feelings, so it’s time to start replacing those harsh words with something neutral. Instead of thinking, “My stomach is disgusting”, try reframing it as “My stomach lets me enjoy the food I love and it’s just one small part of who I am”. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top positive — it just has to shift the narrative.

And if the mean girl voice won’t quiet down, give her a name. That way, when she pops up, you can say, “Oh, it’s Brittany being dramatic again,” rather than believing every word.

3. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable

Avoiding mirrors or changing in the dark might feel like self-protection, but as Brené Brown says, “Shame loves secrecy”. The more you hide from your body, the more those feelings of shame grow. Facing yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable, is the first step toward breaking that cycle.

Stand in front of the mirror and really look at your body. It might feel confronting at first, but here’s the thing: your body is just skin, flesh, and bones — it’s not the enemy. The meaning and power you’ve attached to it? That’s all you. With time, this practice can help strip away the shame and reduce the uncomfortable feelings.

Take it a step further: get used to being naked! Walk around, let yourself jiggle, and remember that human bodies are meant to move like this. You’re not a statue, and you’re not made of stone. Monitor your self-talk during these moments, focusing on kindness or neutrality.

The more you lean into the discomfort, the more your comfort zone expands. What feels scary today will feel empowering tomorrow, and that’s another step towards accepting and respecting your body exactly as it is.

In the end, accepting your body is about freedom — the freedom to live your life fully and unapologetically. It’s about realising that you don’t have to change yourself to be worthy, confident or happy. Isn’t that the ultimate act of self-care after all?

What’s one step you’ll take today toward body acceptance?

By Jemma Haythorne – Inspire Wellness

Author bio:

Jemma Haythorne – Inspire Wellness

I’m a Confidence Coach, speaker, podcaster and content creator. I dream of a world where body acceptance, confidence and self-love are no longer an industry, but a societal norm. I spent 16 years struggling with my body, food, and my mental health, until I finally found freedom. Now, I work with women to make unshakeable confident and true self-worth their default setting!