this is a really interesting topic, sannah - thanks for bringing it up!

i've always been naturally small, but i used to punish myself with disordered eating habits quite a lot when i was younger (being substantially underweight). for me, it was a control/self esteem/almost everything sort of issue . but as i've started to feel like a worthwhile person, i've also made attempts at treating my body properly - trying to recognise that i'm actually in it (i have a weird "me"/"my body" split going on that i'm not sure about enough to explain), and that it deserves care (as do i). it's been better now that i'm out of home and in charge of what i cook/eat - i can be mindful about what i put in my body. i've never been someone to diet (i would simply starve myself when i wante to lose weight) so now i just focus on trying to eat healthily. it started off with trying to eat 5 servings of veg each day, and now i've added in 2 fruit servings also. because i don't eat very much compared to other people, i've found it's easier to do if i cut out meat - so i've kind of fallen into being vegetarian.

the more mindful i am about what i eat, the better i feel about myself (honouring myself) and it kind of compounds and makes me more motivated to keep being healthy. i actually joined a gym this week, which is something i had sworn to myself i'd never do - but it's been great so far!! this is something that would have triggered me badly a few years ago - bringing up all my feelings of shame and zero self-worth and making me hide away, but i'm able to approach it with a more benevolent attitude towards myself now and i'm enjoying getting active again.

it's one slow step at a time though (for me). but each step is a success and eventually it builds its own momentum .

edit: sorry - point of post is that i'm only able to maintain a healthy weight these days because i believe i'm someone worthwhile and who should treat herself and her body with respect and care. so i think you may be onto something, sannah .