Body Honouring

Vanessa Kredler Author

When we struggle with food, we often struggle with our body image as well. It’s a complex and deeply personal experience. But what do we do about it?

There are many perspectives, including body positivity, body neutrality, body acceptance, and body love. As a therapist and someone in recovery from ultra-processed food addiction and past body image challenges, I’ve reflected on these concepts and what has worked for me. This blog is a personal reflection rather than a definitive answer—I deeply believe in the power of lived experience and the science of phenomenology (experience).

Exploring Different Perspectives on Body Image

Body Positivity

Body positivity is a social movement that encourages people to love and celebrate their bodies, regardless of shape, size, or appearance. It challenges societal beauty standards and promotes inclusivity, emphasizing that all bodies are inherently beautiful and worthy of respect. While this is a powerful idea, it can sometimes feel out of reach. For those who struggle with body image and disordered eating, the expectation to always feel positive about their bodies may not feel realistic.

Body Neutrality

Unlike body positivity, which focuses on loving how you look, body neutrality shifts attention away from appearance altogether. It encourages viewing the body in terms of what it can do rather than how it looks. This perspective can remove the pressure to always feel good about one’s body and instead fosters appreciation for its functionality. I find this approach more attainable, as it prioritises purpose over aesthetics. However, it may still be challenging for those experiencing illness or physical limitations, where functionality is impacted.

Body Acceptance

Body acceptance exists between body positivity and body neutrality. It encourages making peace with one’s body as it is—without necessarily loving or hating it. This mindset acknowledges that you might not always feel great about your body, but you can still treat it with kindness and respect. Acceptance, in many areas of life, helps reduce suffering, and this applies to body image as well.

Body Love

Body love takes self-acceptance a step further by encouraging deep appreciation and care for your body. It’s about treating your body as something precious, much like you would care for a loved one. This mindset fosters self-care, nourishment, and compassion. While incredibly desirable, reaching this level of connection with one’s body can take time, especially for those with a history of body dissatisfaction. However, when achieved, it helps us live in harmony with our bodies’ needs.

Which Approach is Right for You?

As a therapist, I believe all these approaches have merit and challenges. There is no universal right way to relate to one’s body. Some people resonate with body positivity, while others find body neutrality more helpful. The key is understanding that your relationship with your body is personal, and it’s okay if your mindset shifts over time—or if you develop your own unique perspective. A therapist’s role is to support you in discovering your own path, rather than prescribing a specific philosophy.

Where Do I Stand Personally?

I’m grateful that I no longer struggle with poor body image and that I truly appreciate my body. However, body positivity feels a bit too much for me. When I experience physical symptoms or discomfort, it can be difficult to find positivity in that moment. Body neutrality resonates with me because, as part of my recovery journey, I have developed a strong spiritual understanding that my body is a vehicle for my soul—it allows me to experience and contribute to the world.

Body acceptance also speaks to me; most of the time, I accept my body as it is, but I have moments of struggle, particularly with the changes that come with peri/menopause. Body love also aligns with my perspective, as I do care for and appreciate my body. What I am most grateful for is that I now understand what my body needs and can listen to it—something that was impossible when I was in active addiction. Back then, addictive obsessions and compulsions overrode my body’s true needs. Now, I recognise when my body craves nourishing foods like spinach, eggs, or fish. I listen when it signals fatigue, overstimulation, or discomfort with certain medications, supplements, environments, or people. My biggest challenge is honouring these signals rather than pushing through and rushing through life.

The Concept of Body Honouring

The term that resonates most with me is body honouring. There is something deeply spiritual and humbling about this concept. My soul occupies this body—it is the vehicle that allows me to experience and act in this world. To honour my body means to respect what it can and cannot do and to acknowledge what it needs and does not need.

Honouring what my body can’t do is a cornerstone of my addiction recovery. I know that my body cannot tolerate alcohol, coffee, sugar, or similar substances. It cannot sleep well with other people in the room (unless they are family), and it doesn’t digest food well while travelling. Understanding these truths allows me to support my body in the way it needs (and to take responsibility for the consequences when I don’t).

As always, I am curious to hear your thoughts and feelings on this topic. I have learned so much from my clients’ journeys and their evolving relationships with their bodies. What does body honouring mean to you or what other approaches resonate for you?

Categories: : Body, Diet, Eating Disorders, Food Addiction