How to Feel Better in Your Body While Working Toward Your Goals
A real conversation about body image, self-talk, slow progress, and learning how to stop judging yourself while trying to become healthier.
I think one of the most frustrating feelings in the world is putting effort into yourself and feeling like nothing is changing fast enough.
You’re trying.
You’re making healthier choices.
You’re showing up for yourself more.
You’re drinking more water, moving your body, trying to stay consistent.
And then you look in the mirror or step on the scale and immediately feel disappointed because you thought you’d be farther along by now.
I know that feeling really personally because I still have those moments too.
In fact, while recording this podcast episode, I admitted that I had literally felt that frustration that same morning. That feeling of “Why is this taking so long?” or “Why do I still feel uncomfortable in my body even though I’m trying so hard?”
And I think that’s important to say out loud because so many women quietly carry this pressure around every single day.
You want to feel healthier.
Stronger.
More confident.
More comfortable in your clothes.
More comfortable in your own skin.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting those things.
The problem starts when your goals slowly turn into proof that you’re somehow not enough right now.
I think a lot of people accidentally start treating self-improvement like they have to earn their own kindness.
I’ve done that too.
I’ve caught myself thinking:
“I’ll feel better about myself once I lose the weight.”
“I’ll feel confident once my body changes.”
“I’ll be proud of myself when I finally reach the goal.”
Meanwhile, the version of me showing up every day was getting almost no compassion at all.
And honestly, that mindset becomes exhausting.
Because eventually you’re not just trying to take care of your body anymore.
You’re fighting it.
Criticizing it.
Pressuring it.
Constantly reminding yourself of what still needs to change.
That kind of energy drains people.
It drained me.
One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve had to learn is this:
Wanting change does not mean you have to dislike yourself in the meantime.
You are allowed to have goals and still respect yourself exactly where you are right now.
That sentence changed so much for me because I genuinely believed for years that being hard on myself was what kept me motivated.
I thought pressure created discipline.
What I eventually learned is that constant self-criticism usually creates burnout.
And there’s actual science behind this.
Behavioral research shows that people who treat themselves with kindness and respect stay consistent with habits longer than people who constantly shame themselves.
That makes so much sense when you really think about it.
Your brain naturally pulls away from things that feel punishing.
So if every workout becomes proof that you’re failing…
If every healthy meal becomes tied to pressure…
If every glance in the mirror turns into criticism…
Your brain starts associating your goals with stress instead of support.
No wonder consistency feels hard sometimes.
That realization really changed the way I talk to myself now.
Especially during the moments where progress feels slow.
Instead of:
“Why do I still look like this?”
I try to shift toward:
“I’m taking care of myself.”
“I’m showing up.”
“I’m working on it.”
“I’m allowed to grow at my own pace.”
That may sound simple, but honestly, your self-talk shapes so much more than people realize.
Your brain listens to the way you speak to yourself every single day.
And over time, those thoughts become beliefs.
I also think we underestimate how much progress is happening underneath the surface long before we physically see huge changes.
Better energy.
Better sleep.
More confidence.
Feeling stronger.
Feeling mentally clearer.
Feeling more connected to yourself.
Building trust with yourself.
Showing up consistently.
Those things matter too.
And honestly, I had to stop making the scale the only thing that determined whether I felt successful or not.
Because healing your relationship with your body is deeper than a number.
I think another huge problem is that most people try to completely overhaul their entire lives overnight.
I used to do this constantly.
Huge plans.
Huge expectations.
Huge pressure.
Then life would happen, I’d miss a few days, and suddenly I’d feel like I was failing all over again.
Now I focus way more on consistency than intensity.
One supportive habit at a time.
One realistic change at a time.
One thing I can actually sustain in my real life instead of some fantasy version of myself.
That approach changed everything for me mentally because it stopped feeling like I was constantly trying to survive my own expectations.
And honestly, I think that’s where real confidence starts building too.
Not from becoming perfect.
From learning how to trust yourself again.
From showing up for yourself consistently in small ways.
From speaking to yourself with more patience.
From realizing your body deserves respect at every stage, not just once it changes.
I think a lot of women are waiting until they reach a goal before they allow themselves to feel good about who they are.
And life is too short for that.
You deserve to feel proud of yourself while you’re growing.
You deserve to feel beautiful while you’re improving.
You deserve kindness while you’re still figuring things out.
You do not have to earn compassion through perfection.
And maybe today is simply a reminder that your body is not something you need to fight against.
Your body is something you get to support.
That changes the entire relationship.
So if you’ve been feeling frustrated with yourself lately, I hope you soften the pressure a little.
I hope you stop talking to yourself like someone who’s failing.
I hope you notice how much effort you’re already making.
I hope you give yourself credit for continuing to show up.
And I hope you remember that real change usually happens slowly, quietly, and steadily.
Not through punishment.
Through consistency, patience, and learning how to become someone who finally feels safe on their own side.
And honestly, that kind of confidence lasts so much longer than any number on a scale ever will.
If this resonated with you, take it with you on your next walk.
Press play, step outside, and give yourself a few minutes to reset and reconnect.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: