I would purge, walking past the mirror countless times, with criticism in my eyes. I’d squeeze my belly, examine my “wing” arms and pinch at my inner thighs—constantly finding fault with my body. Every day, I was on a "diet" endlessly trying to lose extra pounds, trying to rid myself of every bit of fat I could see.
But it was more than just physical—it was a battle within my mind. I didn’t just want to change how I looked; I wanted to erase all the things I thought were wrong with me. I thought if I could just fix my body, I’d finally feel whole. But the more I tried to control and shrink myself, the more I felt lost, small and disconnected.
It was a never-ending cycle of depression, self-judgment and restriction—spiritually, mentally and physically. The harder I pushed myself to be something I wasn’t, the further I drifted from the woman I truly was. I was stuck in a toxic loop of self-criticism, obsessed with being “perfect” in a world that constantly made me feel like I wasn’t enough.
The Turning Point: Embracing My Body
But I couldn’t keep living that way. I knew there had to be more to life than constantly fighting my own reflection. It wasn’t about the number on the scale or the size of my clothes—it was about learning to love myself, just as I am.
This wasn’t an overnight change. It was a journey of self-compassion. Of learning to silence the negative voices in my head and replace them with love and acceptance. I had to stop criticizing my body and start honoring it. Instead of seeing my “flaws” I began to see my body for all the amazing things she does: she carries me through each day, she is capable, she is strong and she is mine.
Shifting the Focus from Perfection to Progress
What I realized along the way was that perfection wasn’t the goal. True strength came from showing up for myself, not trying to make myself fit into someone else’s idea of what I should be. I stopped focusing on eliminating every ounce of fat and started focusing on nourishing my body, listening to what she needed and fueling her with love.
My body is not a battleground—she is a temple and she deserves respect. I stopped living for the scale and started living for the way I felt—empowered, strong and proud of who I am, no matter what I look like.
Breaking Free from the Cycle
I am no longer bound by the cycle of self-judgment. I don’t live in a constant state of restriction or deprivation and I don’t let the number on a scale define my worth.
I now choose balance, not extremes.
I choose acceptance, not perfection.
Sis, it’s time to stop fighting against your own reflection. It’s time to embrace your body—not as something that needs to be fixed but as something that is worthy of love, respect and care. The cycle of self-criticism can end and it can end now.
You don’t need to be perfect. You are enough, exactly as you are. Trust me. Take that first step toward self-love and acceptance and watch how your life begins to shift.
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Disclaimer: Always consult a physician or nutritionist prior to adapting to these nutritional lifestyles.
Original Article written by Quaōcha Jones
Quaōcha Jones is a certified Nutritionist | Elite Fitness Trainer | Personal Trainer | Transformation Coach and Founder of Qua Fiit, LLC. She transforms Women’s Health: Building Strength, Empowering Minds & Redefining Lives