You Don't Have to Hate Your Body to Want to Change It

 Somewhere along the way, we were taught that body transformation requires body hatred. It doesn't. You can want to become stronger without believing you're weak. You can pursue fitness without punishing yourself. You can change your eating habits without declaring war on your body. You can have aesthetic goals while still practicing self-respect. Wanting change doesn't automatically mean you don't love yourself. The question is: What is motivating the change? Is it punishment, comparison, shame or is it strength, energy, confidence and feeling good in your own skin? Your body doesn't need to be your enemy for you to take better care of it. Self-love and self-improvement can sit at the same table. You can appreciate where you are while intentionally working toward where you want to go.