Body goals have developed a bad rap of late, haven’t they? Before-and-after transformation pictures have been criticised for suggesting there’s a blueprint for a process that’s wholly individual. If your main workout motivation is to get, say, a tighter waist or sculpted arms, that’s seen as being dated - or, by some, straight up unhealthy. And yet, you’ve told us that changing an aspect of your appearance remains a priority, and many of you are choosing to use this time at home to pursue body goals you haven’t had the time to go after before. So, is it possible to change your body without falling into dangerous patterns of thinking? Yes, says Emilia Thompson. The former bikini fitness competitor, now lecturer in Sport Nutrition at Manchester Metropolitan University, has experienced the toxic side of dieting culture firsthand. Now, she coaches clients on how to reach their own body goals, led by a science-backed, compassionate approach. In this episode, she chats to Senior Editor Roisín Dervish-O'Kane about how to change your body without compromising your mental health.

Topics: 

Can a body transformation ever be healthy? 

How do you know if you’re in the right mindset to change your body? 

What is a process-based approach and how can it help you?

What is a calorie-deficit and how does it work? 

How to keep compassion front and centre of your goal

Follow Emilia Thompson i on Instagram @emiliathompsonphd

Follow Roisín on Instagram @roisin.dervishokane

Follow Women's Health on Instagram @womenshealthuk

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