Part 8 of my intuitive eating series is Principle 8: Respect Your Body

“Accept your genetic blueprint. Just as a person with a shoe size of eight would not expect to realistically squeeze into a size six, it is equally futile (and uncomfortable) to have a similar expectation about body size. But mostly, respect your body so you can feel better about who you are. It’s hard to reject the diet mentality if you are unrealistic and overly critical of your body size or shape. All bodies deserve dignity.” 

(From Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch) 

After starting Trikafta, I started gaining weight pretty quickly. As someone who was always naturally small due to malnourishment, and who always had people lamenting “I wish I could eat whatever I wanted and still look like you,” this was a big adjustment. 

Suddenly parts of my body that had always been petite were growing, especially in my stomach area. Soon, my extra small petite clothes were pinching in all the wrong places, I couldn’t button my jeans, and I developed serious disdain for my new body. I was constantly body checking in the mirror and started to feel self-conscious about my new weight.

As someone who was always trying to gain weight, I thought I would be relieved by this new phenomenon, however I found myself in the same boat as many American women who go through body changes: I wanted to be smaller. 

So I embarked on trying to shrink myself. As you know from my past posts, this resulted in even more hardship as it came with shame whenever I wanted to eat something that I perceived as “bad.”

Intuitive Eating has taught me to respect where my body has found itself. We all have a genetic blueprint and mine was not meant to be as petite as I was. The only reason I was smaller was due to cf. My body was growing to the size it was always meant to be and that should be celebrated not despised. This body represents health thanks to Trikafta! 

Maybe the most meaningful thing I did as a result of this new body respect was to buy new clothes that fit and flattered my new size. I went up two jean sizes and got 3 new pairs that hugged my new curves. I sold my favorite Senita leggings online and ordered the same pairs in a size up. I ordered sweaters and t shirts that didn’t accentuate my belly. I donated those XS clothes and didn’t look back! 

Now that I wear clothes that fit I am much more comfortable and I am no longer reminded of the size I used to be, which for the record, was “desirable” to many but for me it wasn’t necessarily a “healthy” size.

I wouldn’t say that I have come to fully love my body— but I have developed a more neutral relationship with it. I know now that I don’t need a flat stomach in order to be happy. I would much rather have the good health that Trikafta has afforded me! 

As always, I encourage you to check out Intuitive Eating and the Intuitive Eating Workbook to learn more.