A Path to Body Acceptance: Your Six Pillar Guide

by Shauna Faulisi. Originally written for JetSweat

The journey to body acceptance can be a windy one. The path is full of unknowns, twists and turns, redirection, and at times, darkness. And then there are days, weeks, even months, when we beeline forward with vigor and confidence. Those days are like breaths of fresh air.

Throughout my own journey of disorderly eating, weight fluctuation, and self abandon, I had no choice but to explore deep healing to find body acceptance. There came a time when I had to make the decision to change or continue to live a life that wasn’t mine. I chose the former.

Over the years, I’ve learned that body acceptance is self-acceptance. And self-acceptance is an act of surrender. Through surrendering, we get to a place where we can lovingly say, sometimes with a giggle: This is who I am.

No, not everyday is like this. In fact, veering off the path is a guarantee, but with extra love and acceptance, we go forth to find ourselves over and over again.

In my practice, soul wellness method, we use six pillars as a compass for staying on your individual soul-course. 

Use these pillars as a way to check in with yourself when you need recalibrating.

When we let go of who we think we need to be, we come to terms that our path is our own. We begin to realize that we are unique, special, and spectacular -- each and every one of us is. It’s there that we find body acceptance. 

So without further ado, here’s your six pillar guide to body acceptance:                                   

1. NUTRITION

My approach here is nonrestrictive. Focus on my formula of protein, fiber, and fat at each meal and eat until you’re full and satisfied. Yes -- no counting or measuring. This formula keeps your blood sugar stable and prevents the oh-so-familiar crash and burn, and the brain fog that comes with it. No ones got time for that.

Use your choice of protein, fiber from above-ground veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and the like, and derive your fat from high-quality sources like extra Virgin Olive Oil, avocado, ghee, grass-fed butter, and nuts and seeds. 

The key here is to prepare. Freedom is in the preparation. Batch cook your items 1-2 times a week. When you have foods you can rely on in your home, you give yourself time to focus on all the other amazing things going on in your life. Plus, you have more energy to do those things. As your energy increases, your thoughts become different, life becomes lighter, and your soul shines. I know it sounds woo-y but just try it. 

2. MOVEMENT

Movement is extremely powerful. It allows us to shake the BS out, to have new thoughts and let go of ones that no longer serve us. That said, move in ways that work for you. There’s a lot of information out there, and a lot of people on social media doing all types of workouts. Ignore them. That’s why I love JetSweat because there are hundreds of classes to fit the mood you’re craving.

Be gentle with yourself, and only push yourself when you know it’s coming from a place that truly feels good. It doesn’t have to be intense and sweaty every time. 

High-stress workouts can raise cortisol, which in turn can hold onto fat in the body. Some stress is good, but if you’re currently in a place in your life that feels particularly more stressful than normal, ease up on the stress-inducing workouts. It can actually do the opposite of what you’re hoping for. 

Be gentle with yourself, and don’t underestimate the power of a walk. They’re one of the post powerful ways to activate your lymphatic system, and clear energy out of your body and mind.

And ladies, focus on cycle-syncing your workouts to your menstrual cycle (a term coined by Alisa Vitti, author of WomanCode).

3. INNER VOICE   

Our inner voice is the one who speaks to us more than anyone else we know. It's also the voice in our life that tends to be the harshest.

That rude voice likes to come alive when things aren’t going the way we thought they “should”. Remember what I mentioned earlier? There’s power in surrender.

My rude voice often likes to come out around large groups of people (fear of being judged), and when something is very important to me (fear of failure and loss of control).

Spend time exploring when that voice is at its loudest, and when that voice is soft. Is it when you’re staying true to who you are, or veering away from what you know is best for you? What types of triggers let that mean-voice out? 

By bringing attention to this subject we can notice when that rude voice likes to make itself heard. With gentle observation and practice we can make that voice softer and softer, and make our true soul-voice louder and louder.       

4. ALONE TIME

Alone time is the cornerstone to our entire being. This is where we get to download our everyday experiences and reflect. 

It’s also a major part of our mental wellbeing. Without time to recharge and reset it’s impossible to know what your soul needs. By spending time alone you get to hear what your soul has to stay.

And good news, this pillar is the laziest of all of them. It’s meant to bring us back to our primal roots of resting while intentionally blocking out the stressors from our modern world. Texts, notifications, emails -- all the things that disrupt our thoughts. This is when we silence them.

Set a timer, put your phone on airplane mode, and treat yourself to uninterrupted reading, a solo dinner, or a solo date to zone out and watch TV. Whatever you do, do it without interruption and you’ll feel yourself reconnecting with your soul as the time goes by.  This is your time. Not anyone else's. Everyone else’s needs can wait.

5. SELF-EXPRESSION

Think of this pillar as playfulness meets self-exploration. Self-expression is our soul in its authentic entirety. This authenticity comes to life from the simplest of things, because it’s the simple things that bring us the most pleasure.   

If you're looking for an outlet, try revisiting things you did as a child like playing an instrument, painting, or dance classes. As adults we get to explore safe, expressive sex with partners, or with ourselves. A safe sexual space can teach us a lot about ourselves and leave us feeling seen and accepted.

Or take up journaling, photography, or gardening. Whatever you do, express!

6. COMMUNITY

 This pillar is as old as time. Being separated from family and loved ones is a newer concept in our evolution due to the invention of modern travel, emerging cities, and the ease of obtaining food. Oh and of course, the newest reason, an international pandemic.

It wasn’t alway like this. We relied heavily on our tribes for food, help with housekeeping, raising children, and for emotional support.

Community is the pillar that validates our feelings, emotions, and life experience. This pillar makes all of the others worthwhile because without the love and support of community, it all just falls flat. We need one another.

Prioritize quality time with your community. It’s this time that makes us realize we’re not alone, and removes any heaviness we carry when we feel like we’re doing it all on our own.

Our communities are there for good and bad times and I urge you to lean into being vulnerable with them to share the arrays of emotions that make up the human experience. Lead with this and others will meet you there too.

Be present, be generous.