One of the best parts of writing the Love Your Body Resolution series is hearing from you all about your experiences. Today’s guest post comes from one of my favorite bloggers, Erika from All Things E. Her take on how to love your body, even when it’s hard, is a reminder I’ve definitely needed recently. I hope you’ll enjoy it and leave Erika some kudos for sharing her story in the comments!
The present? Not so much. The present seems weighed down (literally) with too many extra pounds, a tendency to choose a coffeeshop and my laptop over a bustling gym and hand weights, and an “I’ll get to this later” mentality about losing weight and “getting back in shape” (whatever THAT means).
The present me is much softer than I’d like. And less medal-worthy. Not at all like that past 10 Athletic letterwinner high schooler or Division 1 Athlete I remember myself being not too long ago. Not as fast. Not as light. And with a whole lot less stamina.
My present mindset seems to often default to a dream-like state–focused on the other timeframe I’d prefer to be in with my body: the future.
When I wake up in the morning, I think about six weeks from now, when I’m thinner and more toned. I think about being able to bike 20 miles and feel awesome afterward. Or finally being a “regular” at that yoga studio up the road from my office. I dream about the men I’ll be dating. And the clothes I’ll finally have the confidence to wear.
The truth is, if simply thinking of and dreaming of the way you wanted your body to look and feel had the power to make it so, I would be there. I would SO BE THERE. Because I think about it. I think about it a lot. WAY more than I’d like to think about it.
But, as in all things in life, thinking about change doesn’t make it so. Thinking and doing are very different things. And the fact of the matter is that my life is full. This present me, while completely different from that past athletic version of me, really isn’t as bad as I make her out to be.
She’s smarter. More thoughtful. More caring. And you know what? She dresses better. And her curves, while they may drive her crazy every morning, make her feel feminine. And in moments where she lets the rosy-colored view of the past and the elusive promise of the future go, she feels more beautiful than she ever has before.
I like to think there are two ways that I can and do “trick” myself into loving my body, even when it’s hard…even when I’d rather love my future body, or my past one.
Eliminating the noise of comparison. My body has no relation to any other body on the planet. It’s wholly unique. And even thought it doesn’t always feel like this is true: there are no absolute standards that I must attain or hold myself to, or measure myself by. There is not one “standard of beauty” or “ideal body type” in the world. There are many. And they are all beautiful. Including mine.
Reminding myself of the magic that is my body NOW. The body that hugs my family and takes me on adventures and allows me to show up to my LIFE. The body that can run two miles if I really will it to, but that enjoys a latte every now and then without feeling an ounce of regret. The body that wants me to show it care and make it feel good.
Dreaming of the future and striving to make it so gives the present a healthy momentum.
Appreciating the past and learning from its lessons inspires healthful action in the moment.
And THAT is where I strive to be with my body. I’m getting there. Some days are easier than others. And some are HARD. But the days where I can “trick” myself into remembering just how special and awesome my body is right now?
Do you find yourself constantly lusting for your past body or dreaming of your future one? How do you deal?
The Love Your Body Resolution is a biweekly series dedicated to loving + respecting your body. For more LYB Resolution posts, visit the archive.
Erika Sevigny is a 24-year-old single gal living, loving and learning in St. Louis, Missouri. She writes about friendship, books, self awareness and daily life on her blog All Things E and wholeheartedly believes in long hugs, cold coffee and handwritten letters. Say hello on Twitter @ErikaSevigny or at
The Love Your Body Resolution Series: A Brief Background
The Love Your Body Resolution series was born out of a shared desire to shift the conversation around body image from criticism to compassion. Too often, we treat our bodies as projects to be fixed, rather than homes to be cherished. This biweekly series, which you can explore further in the Thoughts category, invites writers and readers alike to share their journeys toward self-acceptance—messy, nonlinear, and beautifully real. Erika's post is a perfect example of that honesty: she doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but she offers a path forward by grounding herself in the present.
What makes this series resonate with so many is its refusal to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we lean into the idea that loving your body is an ongoing practice, not a destination. Whether you're a former athlete missing your past self or someone dreaming of a future transformation, the core message remains: your body deserves love now, not just when it meets some arbitrary standard.
If you're new here, we encourage you to check out the Guide to Being Alone or reflect on What Could You Do with One Extra Hour? for related perspectives on self-care and intentional living.
More Tricks to Love Your Body Right Now
Erika shared two powerful strategies—eliminating comparison and reminding herself of her body's magic. But if you're looking for even more ways to anchor yourself in the present, here are a few that have worked for me and other contributors to this series:
- Wear clothes that fit your current body. It sounds simple, but so many of us hold onto “goal” clothing that makes us feel inadequate today. Dressing for the body you have, not the one you're hoping for, can instantly shift your mindset toward gratitude.
- Move for joy, not punishment. Instead of forcing yourself through workouts you dread, find movement that feels good—dancing in your kitchen, stretching before bed, or taking a leisurely walk. Your body isn't a machine to be disciplined; it's a partner to be enjoyed.
- Practice a daily body gratitude ritual. Each morning or evening, name one thing your body allowed you to do that day. It could be as small as “my hands typed an email” or as big as “my legs carried me up a mountain.” Over time, this rewires your brain to notice the positive.
- Curate your social media feed. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate and follow those that celebrate diverse bodies and self-compassion. Your digital environment matters more than you think.
Remember, these aren't about ignoring your health or giving up on goals. They're about recognizing that you are worthy of love at every size, shape, and stage of your journey.
The Importance of Self-Compassion in Body Acceptance
At the heart of loving your body right now is self-compassion. Research consistently shows that people who treat themselves with kindness—rather than harsh self-criticism—are more likely to make sustainable changes and feel better about themselves along the way. Yet so many of us default to an inner critic that berates us for every perceived flaw.
Erika touched on this when she noted that her present self is “smarter, more thoughtful, more caring” than her past athletic self. That's self-compassion in action: acknowledging growth in non-physical areas while still holding space for the discomfort of not being where she wants to be physically. It's not about denying your feelings; it's about meeting them with gentleness.
One practical way to cultivate self-compassion is to speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend. If a friend told you they were struggling to love their body, would you list all the ways they're failing? Of course not. You'd offer encouragement and remind them of their worth. Try extending that same grace to yourself.
If you're looking for more on this, the Day-to-Day category features posts on daily habits that support mental and emotional well-being.
Moving Forward: Embracing the Present Moment
As Erika so beautifully put it, we often live in the gap between who we were and who we want to be. But the only moment we truly have is this one—the body we're in right now, doing its best to carry us through life. That doesn't mean we stop dreaming or striving; it means we stop postponing our own acceptance until some future version of ourselves arrives.
Loving your body right now is a radical act in a culture that profits from your insecurity. It's a declaration that you are enough, exactly as you are, even as you continue to grow and change. And just like any skill, it takes practice. Some days you'll nail it; other days you'll forget entirely. That's okay. That's human.
We'd love to hear from you: What helps you stay present with your body? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and if you're inspired, consider submitting your own story to the Love Your Body Resolution series. Together, we can create a community that chooses love over judgment, every single day.