When most people think about body image, they treat it like something they'll work on after they lose the weight. The problem is that body image doesn't magically improve when the scale changes. If you don't learn how to appreciate yourself during the journey, there's a good chance you'll struggle with the same thoughts and feelings once you reach your goal.

In this episode of Body Image Shift, I talk about why improving the relationship you have with yourself needs to become part of your forever active lifestyle. Just like meal planning, exercise, and other healthy habits, body image work deserves a place in your daily routine.

I also explain why maintenance isn't about taking your foot off the gas. The habits that help you build a healthier life need to be sustainable enough that you're willing to continue them long after the weight loss phase is over. That includes the way you speak to yourself and the way you choose to see yourself in the mirror.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Why body image work should begin before you reach your goal weight

• How the weight loss industry often trains people to focus on flaws

• The importance of intentionally choosing how you want to see yourself

• The Body Noise Challenge and how a simple one-minute daily practice can create lasting change

• Why positive body image isn't about eliminating negative thoughts completely

• How repetition helps build a stronger self-image over time

Your body will change throughout your life. Learning to appreciate yourself at every stage creates a foundation that can support you through weight loss, maintenance, and everything that comes after.

If you'd like to continue the conversation around body image, sign up for the live streams at yourlevelfitness.com/stream.