Shifting from battle language ("fighting" illness) to partnership language ("working with" your body) takes time, but it helps. You and your body are on the same team.

But your body isn't your enemy - it's doing its best under difficult circumstances. Maybe it's fighting an autoimmune battle, or managing chronic pain, or adjusting to new limitations.

Function over form, always. Your body is doing its best under difficult circumstances. That's enough.

Body neutrality is gentler: your body doesn't have to be beautiful to be worthy of care and respect. It doesn't have to perform perfectly to deserve kindness.

Body positivity asks you to love your body. That can feel impossible when your body feels like it's working against you, when medications change how you look, when pain is constant.