The ‘Good’ Body vs. The ‘Bad’ Body: Challenging the Lies We’ve Been Told

Do you feel it creeping in?

As the days get longer and the layers of clothing get lighter, we begin to hear the familiar whispers (or maybe shouts) from ads, influencers, gyms, and magazines: “Get beach-ready!” “Time to sculpt your summer body!” “Bikini season is coming—are you ready?”

If you’ve ever felt a twinge of shame, guilt, or urgency when hearing these messages, you're not alone. And if you're tired of the emotional weight that arrives along with summer’s sunshine, you’re definitely not alone.

Let’s talk about it.

Let’s talk about the lie we’ve been fed—that there is such a thing as a “good” body and a “bad” body.

The Myth of the “Good” Body

In the world of diet culture and impossible beauty standards, “good” bodies are often defined as thin, toned, youthful, able-bodied, smooth-skinned, and “in control.” But let’s be honest—this standard is not only unrealistic, it’s unattainable for the vast majority of people. It’s especially harmful for women, whose bodies naturally shift and change throughout life.

And still—we chase it. Or we feel ashamed for not chasing it. Or worse—we think we’re less worthy because we’ve never had it.

But here’s the truth: There’s no such thing as a “good” or “bad” body. There are only real bodies.

Bodies that breathe and ache and move and rest. Bodies that carry stories and history. Bodies that birth children, battle illness, dance in kitchens, and sit in stillness with those who are grieving.

That is not bad. That is beautiful.

Where Did This Lie Come From?

The roots of body shame go deep. Over decades, we’ve been bombarded with marketing messages designed to sell us a problem so we’ll buy a solution.

They say:

• You’ll be more lovable if you shrink.

• You’ll be more valuable if you tighten.

• You’ll be more successful if you tone and smooth and polish.

And those messages don’t disappear when the swimsuit racks appear. In fact, summer often turns up the volume on that pressure.

Here’s a hard truth: We’ve spent decades absorbing messages that our bodies are problems to be fixed. That they must look a certain way to be considered worthy.

So if you’re feeling the tension right now—if the “get in shape quick” messaging is making you doubt yourself—it’s not your fault.

But you can choose to step out of it.

The Emotional Toll of “Summer Body” Culture

Let’s name what this messaging really does.

It…

• Makes us feel like we must earn our own joy.

• Steals the freedom to enjoy warm weather, swimming, sunshine, and movement without self-consciousness.

• Turns beautiful opportunities for connection into moments of comparison and shame.

• Disconnects us from our own bodies, replacing gratitude with judgment.

And worst of all? It keeps us small—not just in size, but in purpose.

Because when we’re focused on shrinking our bodies, we might not be growing our lives.

Rewriting the Narrative

So how do we reclaim our freedom from this harmful messaging?

We start by rewriting the narrative. By refusing to measure our worth by the tape measure or bathroom scale. By remembering this sacred truth:

✨ Your body is not a problem to fix—it’s a vessel for living a full, meaningful life. ✨

You were never meant to spend your one precious life striving to meet someone else’s standard of beauty. You were made for more.

What If This Summer Looked Different?

What if this year, as the temperature climbs, so does your compassion? What if your summer goal was to trust your body, not transform it? What if you remembered that every body is already a beach body—you just take it to the beach?

Can you imagine what might shift?

• You’d wear the swimsuit and play with your kids.

• You’d go for walks because you love how it feels—not to burn calories.

• You’d eat seasonal food because it tastes good and nourishes you—not to punish or restrict.

• You’d show up in photos, fully present in the memory.

That’s the kind of summer that diet culture can’t sell you—but it’s yours for the claiming.

Let’s Be Honest with Ourselves

This work isn’t always easy. It can feel counter-cultural. It can stir up old pain and insecurities.

But here’s the invitation: Start where you are. Not at your smallest size, not at your “goal weight”—right here, right now.

Start by listening to your body. Start by questioning those old beliefs. Start by speaking to yourself with the kindness you’d offer a child, a sister, a best friend.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If you’re longing to break free from body shame and diet culture, you’re not the only one.

In fact, that’s the very heart behind what I do through Nourishing Body & Soul. We help women reconnect with their God-given identity, trust their intuition, and finally feel at peace in their own skin.

If you'd like help changing your own narrative, simply message me. I'd love to talk about it.

You don’t need another diet or workout plan. You need permission to breathe. To be. To live fully in the body you already have.

Because freedom isn’t found in a smaller size—it’s found in a deeper knowing of your worth.

Let’s shift the conversation this summer.

 Let’s remind each other that real health isn’t about control—it’s about connection. And that the most powerful thing you can do with your body… is live fully in it.

If you’re ready to go deeper in this conversation, explore more faith-centered content and conversations by joining the Nourishing Body and Soul Community. You can also catch my podcast episodes, all designed to support your journey toward a purpose-filled life.

Let’s trade in the pressure to shrink for the freedom to expand. Because you were never meant to fit in a box someone else designed for you. You were made to flourish.