Body Image - Body Positivity & Body Neutrality

Podcast Episode 3: Body Image — It's Never Just About the BodyHello and welcome back to Freedom to Nourish. I’m your host, Kathy Salata. I’m so honored you’re here with me today as we dig into a topic that touches all of us in some way — body image.

Whether you’ve spent years trying to change your body, or simply felt that quiet but constant pull to "fix" something, this episode is for you.

Because here's the truth:Body image is never just about the body.

It’s the tip of the iceberg.And beneath the surface is where the real story lives.

The Iceberg of Body Image

Let’s start with this image of an iceberg.

Above the water, what we can see — what’s visible — is our body image:“I hate my thighs.”“My stomach sticks out.”“I wish I looked like her.”

But underneath the surface? That’s where we find the deeper stuff.

Shame.Control.Fear of rejection.Grief.A need to be loved.A need to belong.

And here’s something I learned in recovery that I’ll never forget:Whenever you hear that harsh inner voice say, “If I could just lose weight…” ask yourself:

Then what?

If I could just lose weight… then what?Would I finally feel loved?Would I feel safe in my own skin?Would I stop comparing myself?Would I be accepted by others — or myself?

That simple question — Then what? — opens the door to the real need we’re trying to meet.

And often, that need has nothing to do with our bodies.

The Roots Beneath the Surface

So why do we obsess over body image?

Because it feels easier to control our bodies than to sit with hard emotions.

Dieting or changing how we look becomes a distraction. A project. A mission.

And that mission can make us feel productive, even hopeful — but it often hides:

• Our discomfort with uncertainty

• Our fear of not being enough

• Our past experiences of trauma or rejection

• Or our longing for control in a world that feels chaotic

We’re not broken for having these thoughts.We’re human.And body image is just the surface-level story we tell ourselves about much deeper emotions we may not yet know how to hold.

Body Positivity vs Body Neutrality

Now, let’s talk about something that comes up a lot in recovery: body positivity versus body neutrality.

Body positivity says:"I love my body. I celebrate my curves. I embrace my belly rolls and cellulite."

And for some people, that’s empowering. It’s beautiful.But for many of us — especially those healing from disordered eating — it can feel like a leap too far.

Because let’s be real… when you’ve spent decades at war with your body, jumping straight to “I love it!” feels impossible.

That’s where body neutrality comes in.

Body neutrality says:"I don’t have to love how I look today, but I can respect what my body does for me.""My body is not my enemy. It’s not my trophy either. It just… is."

This perspective offers freedom.It takes the focus off appearance and shifts it toward function, compassion, and self-respect.

You don’t have to love your body to treat it with kindness.You can start by simply noticing it — without judgment.

Final Thoughts — What If It’s Not About the Body?

So if body image is the tip of the iceberg…And all these emotions and needs are hidden underneath…

What do we do?

We get curious.We ask, “Then what?”We listen to what our inner critic is trying to protect us from.And we stop blaming our bodies for the pain we’re actually feeling in our hearts, our minds, and our spirits.

Remember:Healing body image doesn’t always mean loving how you look.It means unlearning the belief that your worth is tied to how you look.

Thank you for spending this time with me today.If this episode spoke to you, I invite you to reflect on one thing:What’s one message about your body that you’re ready to release?And what’s one new truth you’re ready to welcome in?

This is Freedom to Nourish — and together, we are reclaiming our power, one truth at a time.

Until next time, be kind to your body… and even kinder to your heart.