“Love your body!” is everywhere. It’s on t-shirts, Instagram posts, self-care hashtags, and even printed on water bottles. The body positivity movement has gained huge popularity over the past few years and while body positivity can feel empowering for some, for many others, especially those healing from years of dieting, disordered eating, or body shame, it can feel impossible.
Because when you’ve spent years at war with your body, the idea of loving it can feel like a giant leap you’re just not ready for.
And that’s OK.
That’s where body neutrality comes in. This can offer a more accessible place to land, a middle ground between body hate and body positivity. A space where you don’t have to love every inch of yourself to treat your body with kindness, respect, and care.
Let’s unpack what body neutrality really means, how it relates to intuitive eating, and why it might just be the most compassionate path forward if body positivity feels out of reach for you.
What Is Body Neutrality?
Body neutrality is the idea that your body doesn’t have to be the centre of your self-worth. It shifts the focus away from how your body looks and towards what your body does, its function, its sensations, its resilience.
Where body positivity might say, “I love my stretch marks, I love my belly rolls, I love my thighs,” body neutrality says,
“I don’t have to love how my thighs look to be kind to them.”
“I can feed my body because it deserves nourishment, not because I feel confident today.”
It’s not about rejecting the body positive movement, it’s about acknowledging that for some people, especially those still healing, loving your body might not feel authentic yet. Rather than forcing a feeling you don’t believe, body neutrality invites you to start with respect.
Why Loving Your Body Can Feel Hard (And That’s Not a Personal Failure)
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and tried to say something positive about your body, only to feel like you’re striving for something unbelievable, you’re not alone. Here’s why “body love” can be such a tough ask:
✨ Diet culture taught us our worth is in our weight. Decades of messaging has conditioned us to believe that thinner = better, and anything else = a problem to fix.
✨ Body trauma runs deep. If you’ve experienced fatphobia, bullying, medical stigma, or even well-meaning but harmful comments from loved ones, your body may not feel like a safe place.
✨ Forced positivity can backfire. Telling yourself “I love my body” when you don’t believe it can sometimes make you feel worse, not better. It’s like putting a sticker over a gaping wound.
This doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means your body image struggle is valid and you’re not alone in it.
How Intuitive Eating Aligns with Body Neutrality
One of the foundational principles of intuitive eating is “Respect Your Body.” Notice how it doesn’t say “Love your body” or “Feel great about your appearance.” Just respect.
This is a powerful place to begin.
When you practise intuitive eating, you learn to:
✨ Feed your body consistently—because hunger isn’t a punishment and fullness isn’t a failure.
✨ Move your body in ways that feel good—not to burn calories, but to connect with yourself and enjoy it.
✨ Respond to your body’s cues with compassion—not control.
All of this happens regardless of how you feel about your reflection. Intuitive eating doesn’t require you to love your body, instead it asks: How can I take care of myself today, in the body I have now?
Practical Ways to Embrace Body Neutrality
If you’re finding body positivity aspirational but unrealistic right now, body neutrality might feel much more attainable for you. Here’s how to begin exploring it in your everyday life:
- Shift the Conversation
Start paying attention to how you speak about your body, both out loud and in your head. Instead of saying,
“I hate how my arms look,” try,
“My arms help me carry bags, hug my loved ones, hold my dog.”
Even if it feels awkward at first, reframing how you talk about your body’s function can create distance from harsh self-criticism.
- Unfollow for Your Mental Health
Curate your social media feeds to reflect diversity in bodies, abilities, and identities. Unfollow accounts that trigger comparison and shame for you, and follow those that promote body respect, not just body love.
(And if you’re ever unsure where to start, I’ve got some favourites of mine below!)
@alexlight_ldn
@bodyposipanda
@lottiedrynan
@_nelly_london
@stephanieyeboah
@sophiethickfitness
@julesvonhep
- Dress for Comfort, Not ‘Flattery’
Ditch the idea of “dressing to look thinner.” What would happen if you chose clothes based on comfort, ease, and self-expression, instead of shrinking or concealing your body?
Clothes that actually fit your body, rather than your body having to fit the clothes, can make a world of difference. (This has made the biggest difference for me personally, especially during the hot summer months!)
- Practise Gentle Curiosity
When you notice body judgment come up, try to recognise it and take a pause to ask: What do I really need right now?
Often, body shame is a smokescreen for something deeper, like stress, loneliness, overwhelm, a need for comfort or rest.
This is where intuitive eating becomes a great tool to reconnect with your true needs, not just your appearance.
You Don’t Have to Love Your Body to Stop Hating It
You don’t have to love your body to stop punishing it.
You don’t have to feel confident to eat regularly, or wear the swimsuit, or take the photo.
You don’t need to adore your body to deserve care, rest, and nourishment.
Body neutrality gives you permission to just be, and to live your life fully without having to love every inch of yourself.
Over time, as you learn to respect your body, care for it and listen to it, something tender might start to grow. Maybe not full-on love just yet, but trust, appreciation and a sense of feeling comfortable in your own self.
That’s more than enough.
Summing Up
Body neutrality isn’t giving up, it’s letting go of the pressure to force positivity and instead choosing peace.
If loving your body feels too far away, know that you’re allowed to start small; a day of feeding yourself well, a neutral thought replacing a cruel one and a day choosing to rest.
Healing takes time, but it all begins with respect.
You’ve spent enough years fighting your body. What would it feel like to make peace with it, even just a little?
✨ If making peace with your body feels like something you’d like to work towards, but you’re struggling to know where to start, I’m here to help guide you on your journey. Get in touch to book in a free consultation call today. In this call, we will explore how you can work towards healing your relationship with your body and food, improve your self-esteem, and find freedom from negative body thoughts.