For the longest time, I avoided wearing shorts in the summer. Not because I was shy, not because I didn’t like color, but because of the cellulite on my legs. It was that tiny, stubborn reminder of everything I felt wasn’t “good enough.” I can’t even count how many times I looked in the mirror, poked at the dimples on my thighs, and thought, If only my legs were smoother, I’d feel confident. If only my thighs were thinner, I’d feel attractive. If only…

It took me thirty years to finally stop letting my body define my self-worth. Thirty years to start seeing it as my partner, not my enemy. And honestly? It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen because I suddenly started loving exercise or magically shed fat. It happened when I realized something so simple and yet so profound: the body you’re in today is already your goal body.

I say this to my clients every day, and it finally sank in for me. My legs, my arms, my curves, my scars, my stretch marks, my softness—they are all proof of my journey. They are strong. They are capable. They are the driving force behind everything that brings me joy in life.

Take my legs, for example. Sure, they have cellulite, but those same legs have powered me through countless adventures, workouts, and everyday life in ways I didn’t even realize I was grateful for. My best leg day? Would have been a disaster without these “drumsticks” of mine. Hiking to an incredible hut in the mountains, feeling my lungs burn and my heart pound, would have been impossible without the thick thighs I once wanted to hide.

Our bodies carry us through so much, whether we notice it or not. My body has been heavier, lighter, leaner, fluffier, tighter, and softer at different stages of my life. But no matter the shape or size, she has always carried me forward. She’s been with me during my toughest seasons: the heartbreak, the sleepless nights, the days I wanted to crawl back into bed and never leave. Even through my miscarriages and my divorce, even through the days I barely had the energy to shower, let alone eat properly, my body was still there, holding me up. Always.

That’s the truth: our bodies never let us down. Yet so often, we treat them like the enemy. We criticize ourselves in the mirror, compare ourselves to impossible standards on social media, and punish ourselves for being human. We set goals—maybe to lose weight, to get stronger, to tone certain areas—but instead of celebrating what our bodies can do, we berate them for what they look like right now. And that’s where progress stops. Hating your body doesn’t motivate you—it sabotages you.

I’ve been guilty of this for most of my life. I thought self-loathing was a necessary step to change. If I hate myself enough, I’ll work harder. I’ll eat cleaner. I’ll get the body I want. But here’s the thing: that mindset doesn’t work. It burns you out, it drains your confidence, and it makes every goal feel like a punishment instead of a choice. True progress, the kind that lasts, comes from a place of respect, appreciation, and curiosity. It comes from seeing your body as a partner, not a problem.

Let me break down what changed for me.

First, I started acknowledging my body for what it does, not just what it looks like. Every morning I wake up, I remind myself: These legs can carry me on hikes, run after my kids, squat heavy weights, climb stairs, and dance like nobody’s watching. Every workout became less about burning calories and more about honoring what my body can do. I focus on strength, endurance, and mobility instead of obsessing over inches or numbers on a scale. And you know what? That shift in perspective changed everything. My workouts became enjoyable instead of torturous. My body became an ally instead of an enemy.

Second, I celebrated progress instead of perfection. Progress doesn’t always look like a mirror transformation. Sometimes it looks like lifting heavier weights than last week, walking a little farther, or simply getting out of bed when you don’t feel like it. Progress looks like showing up consistently, even when it’s messy, uncomfortable, or slow. And progress feels a thousand times sweeter when it comes from a place of love rather than shame.

I also stopped buying into “ideal” body myths. There’s no universal definition of the perfect shape, and honestly, the more you chase it, the more exhausted and dissatisfied you become. Instead, I started asking myself: What does my body need today? What can I do to feel strong, energized, and alive? Some days that meant a heavy leg session, other days a slow yoga flow or a walk in the sun. Each choice felt like a gift, not a punishment.

Another huge shift was mental reframing. Every time I catch myself thinking negatively about my body, I stop and challenge the thought. Instead of Ugh, look at this cellulite, I think: These legs are strong. They carry me. They’re part of my story. Instead of I hate my stomach, I say: This core is strong and keeps me balanced, stable, and moving. It’s not about lying to myself or ignoring flaws—it’s about choosing to see value where there always is.

And yes, I still have goals. I want to build more strength, improve endurance, and feel confident in my skin. Goals are amazing—they give us direction, purpose, and motivation. But here’s the kicker: you can have goals and love the body you’re in. They aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, working toward goals from a place of respect and curiosity is infinitely more effective than doing it from a place of self-hate.

The irony? Once I stopped hating my body, I actually got better results. I trained with more focus, I recovered faster, and I felt more consistent. I stopped punishing myself with extreme diets or endless cardio. I started enjoying movement. I started eating to fuel my life, not to punish my body for existing. And slowly, everything began to shift—not because I changed my body, but because I changed my relationship with it.

Summer came, and this year, for the first time, I wore shorts without a second thought. I even laughed when I realized I had a leg tan that highlighted all the “imperfections” I once hated. And for the first time, I genuinely felt proud of my legs. Not in a perfect, Instagram-perfect way, but in a real, human, capable way. Those legs have carried me through life. They deserve celebration, not criticism.

I want to be clear: this journey isn’t linear. There are days I still catch myself comparing, judging, or wishing my body looked different. But the difference now is awareness. I notice it, I pause, and I redirect my energy toward appreciation instead of criticism. And that makes all the difference.

So here’s my message to anyone struggling with their body right now: stop hating it. Stop punishing yourself. Stop thinking that your worth is determined by how smooth, thin, or toned you look. Your body is not a project—it’s your home, your partner, your vehicle for life. It has carried you through heartbreaks, celebrations, challenges, and triumphs. It deserves gratitude, not guilt.

Set your goals, absolutely. Want to improve your strength, endurance, or aesthetics? Go for it. But do it with purpose and love. Celebrate every small victory, honor your body’s capabilities, and remember that progress comes from working with your body, not against it.

Take a moment today to appreciate your body. Touch your legs, your arms, your torso. Thank it for everything it’s done for you. Celebrate it for carrying you through the highs and lows of your life. And remember: your body today is already worthy of love, joy, and respect.

For me, this summer will always be the first one I truly embraced. Shorts, skirts, hikes, leg days, and all. And yes, I’m sending you love in my first summer with a leg tan, proudly highlighting every dimple, curve, and mark that tells the story of my life. 😂

Your body is incredible. Don’t let self-hate ruin your progress. Work with it, celebrate it, and watch how much further you can go—physically, mentally, and emotionally. You don’t need to wait until you look a certain way to start loving your body. Start today. Start now. Start with gratitude, start with curiosity, start with celebration.

Because the truth is simple: hating your body doesn’t make you stronger, leaner, or better. Loving your body does.

And trust me—once you start seeing your body as an ally instead of an enemy, life changes. Movement becomes joyful, nutrition becomes nourishing, and progress becomes sustainable. That’s the summer I finally found freedom. That’s the summer I found peace. That’s the summer my body and I became teammates.