Diet culture has trained us to see our bodies, especially our current bodies, as a “before” photo.
A temporary, unfortunate, and embarrassing state that must be endured on the way to the glorious “after” photo. The “after” photo is the goal. The “after” photo is where life begins.
This way of thinking is a prison. It is a thief of joy, of presence, of life itself.
It relegates your entire present moment to a waiting room. You’re not really living; you’re just waiting to lose the weight. You’re waiting to be worthy. You’re waiting for the “after” photo so you can finally give yourself permission to buy the nice clothes, go on the trip, apply for the job, fall in love, be seen.
Your life is happening now. In this body. The one you have today.
This body is not a “before” photo. It is not a problem to be fixed. It is not a temporary inconvenience.
This body is the archive of your entire life. It is the vessel that has carried you through every single joy, trauma, triumph, and heartbreak. The stretch marks, the scars, the soft spots, the strong spots… they are the roadmap of your journey. They are evidence of your resilience. They are the story of your life, written in flesh and bone.
To treat this body as a “before” photo is to dishonor your own story. It is to dismiss the incredible strength and wisdom that has gotten you to this very moment.
What if you stopped seeing your body as a project and started seeing it as a partner? What if you stopped seeing it as a source of shame and started seeing it as a source of wisdom?
What if you decided that life doesn’t begin “after.” Life is now.
This doesn’t mean you can’t desire change. It doesn’t mean you can’t want to feel more energized or vibrant. But it means you make those changes from a place of love and partnership, not from a place of shame and self-rejection.
You work with your body, not against it. You honor its story, you listen to its wisdom, and you move forward together.
Your body is not a before photo. It is the whole damn story. And it’s time you started reading it with love.
If you’re tired of living in the waiting room of your own life, this is your invitation to walk out. If you’re ready to start honoring the body you have today, you can find more info on how to begin at www.cetfreedom.com. Or just send me a message.
