Helping Clients (and Ourselves) Feel at Home in Changing Bodies

As coaches, we often talk about change — getting stronger, feeling better, finding new ways to move and live well.

But what we don’t talk about enough is what happens after the physical changes start to happen. That quiet space where someone has evolved on the outside… but their mindset hasn’t quite caught up yet.

I’ve worked with clients who’ve spent most of their lives identifying as “the heavy one” or “the out-of-shape one.” Over time, through lifting, nourishing their bodies, and building confidence in movement, they’ve changed what their bodies can do.

But here’s what I notice: even after the changes, many still see themselves through the old lens. They’ll tell me they “still feel big,” or they’ll avoid clothes that actually fit their new frame — because, in their mind, they’re still living in their old body.

No one really talks about that part — how we have to change our mindset, not just our bodies.

When Our Bodies Change in Other Ways

This same internal adjustment shows up for many of my adaptive fitness clients too.

For some, their bodies have changed because of an amputation, illness, or an accident. For others, it’s scars from surgery or adapting to life using a mobility device.

The change might look different from person to person, but the feelings often overlap — that sense of needing to find comfort and acceptance in a body that no longer feels familiar.

Physical healing is something people can see. But emotional healing? That’s quieter. It takes time. And it starts from the inside out.

Making Space for Grief

One thing I wish more people — and more coaches — understood is that grieving our old bodies is a real and necessary part of this process.

You can be grateful for how far you’ve come and still miss who you were.
You can love your body now and feel sad about what’s changed.

That doesn’t make you ungrateful. It makes you human.

Sometimes people feel pressure to “get over it” or to adapt quickly. But grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It comes in waves, even years later. The key is giving yourself space to feel it when it shows up — instead of shaming yourself for not being “over it yet.”

Gratitude and Grace

One of the most powerful shifts I’ve seen in both fitness and adaptive movement is when someone starts noticing what their body can do, instead of what it can’t.

It’s not about forced positivity. It’s about respect. About realizing, “My body has carried me through things I didn’t think I could survive.”

Our bodies are constantly adapting — healing, learning, and showing up for us, even when they’ve changed in ways we never expected.

If you want to explore this a bit more, here are some reflection prompts you might try journaling on:

· What’s one thing my body allows me to do that I’m grateful for today?

· Where might I still be holding grief for the body I used to have?

· How can I show my body kindness, even on days when it feels different or unfamiliar?

Finding Comfort in Our New Bodies

Finding physical comfort after change — whether that’s through exercise, prosthetic adjustments, or simply learning new ways to move — is part of the process.

But finding emotional comfort might be the bigger challenge. It’s about learning to see yourself with fresh eyes. To soften the inner dialogue. To give yourself permission to evolve without comparison to who you used to be.

Because reshaping body image isn’t about “fixing” anything. It’s about learning to feel at home again — right where you are.

Final Thoughts

Our bodies carry every story — every scar, every adaptation, every moment of strength we didn’t know we had.

And maybe the real goal isn’t getting “back” to anything.
It’s allowing ourselves to move forward — with compassion, curiosity, and a little more grace for the bodies we live in.

Your Coach,

Megan Williamson

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