I recently surveyed the members inside the Naturally Healthy Club and asked them: what’s your number one dream outcome from doing this work?
More than 53% said the same thing — feeling peace around food and weight.
Not eating what they want.
Not feeling good in their clothes (though that was up there too).
Peace.
That stopped me in my tracks, because honestly, I’d forgotten how debilitating that constant food noise and Monday morning guilt spiral can be.
It’s been so long since I’ve lived like that.
So today I want to share the one simple strategy that made the biggest difference for me — and it’s not a food rule or a new eating plan.
It’s self-acceptance.
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Video Version
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Why Self-Acceptance Is the Strategy
So much of the lack of peace — all that internal turmoil and drama around food and your body — comes from fighting against where you are right now.
When we’re constantly at war with our bodies, our weight, the number on the scale, we’re basically fighting reality. And that fight is exhausting, and it never creates peace.
There’s a beautiful quote from psychologist Carl Rogers: “When I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Here’s the counterintuitive part: self-acceptance doesn’t keep you stuck — it frees you up to change.
I know that from personal experience. I reached my ideal weight years ago, but even then, I still had mental drama around food. It was only when I did the real work on self-acceptance that I found that deeper, lasting peace.
And here’s something worth sitting with: your worthiness as a person is already at 100%. It was from the moment you were born. The number on the scale doesn’t make you more or less valuable.
Think about the people you love most — when they gained or lost weight, did you love them more or less? Of course not.
You can give yourself that same grace.
How to Practice Self-Acceptance
Self-acceptance is, at its heart, a decision. And then a practice.
Step 1: Decide you’re already worthy. The scale doesn’t determine your value as a person. Make that decision — even if it feels wobbly at first.
Step 2: Start practising the belief. Every day, tell yourself: “I accept myself.” If that feels like too big a stretch right now (it did for me at the beginning), soften it:
“I want to accept myself.”
“It’s possible for me to accept myself.”
The more you think a thought, the more it becomes a natural belief.
That’s just how our brains work — repetition turns a conscious thought into something we genuinely feel.
The Biggest Mistake People Make
The number one mistake I see with self-acceptance is thinking that acceptance = agreement.
It doesn’t.
You can accept yourself exactly as you are and still want to change. You can accept your body right now and still want to lose some weight. These two things can absolutely coexist. In fact, holding both at once is very powerful:
“I accept myself” + “I can change”
That combination — kindness toward where you are now, alongside belief in where you’re going — is where real peace comes from.
How to Apply This Strategy
(Your Weekly Home Play)
Remember: insight without action is just entertainment. So here’s how to actually use this.
Your practice this week:
After you notice yourself judging, criticising, or thinking harsh thoughts about yourself or your body — pause. Then think:
“I accept myself.” (Or your softer version: “I want to accept myself.”)
Let the critical thoughts go and gently shift your focus toward acceptance. You’ll naturally start to feel more peaceful — with yourself, and with food.
Bonus tip: Set a daily reminder on your phone, or stick a post-it on your bathroom mirror. Something simple like “I accept myself” — so you’re seeing it at least once a day. Repetition is everything here.
Let me know your thoughts.
How do you feel about the idea of self acceptance being the key to peace AND that also frees you up to change?
Have a delicious week!
In your corner
Jules xx
(Your favourite Australian Food Scientist)
The Naturally Healthy Club is Coming Soon!
If you’d love support to become a naturally healthy person — someone who eats what they want AND feels great in their clothes even in midlife — then I’d love for you to join us in the Naturally Healthy Club.
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