Have you ever felt like no matter how much progress you make, it’s never enough? Maybe you’ve taken steps toward healing your relationship with food, but because you haven’t “arrived” at your ultimate goal, you don’t let yourself feel proud. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many women on the journey to food freedom struggle with acknowledging their wins—especially the small ones.
But what if I told you that those tiny victories are actually the most powerful?
Why We Downplay Our Success
Diet culture, perfectionism, and comparison steal our joy. We see images of “perfect” bodies, unrealistic weight loss timelines, and transformation stories that make it seem like we should be further along than we are. This creates a mindset of “never enough”—where even our biggest achievements feel unworthy of celebration. It's time to shift that.
Small wins matter because they:
Build momentum and confidence
Strengthen self-trust (which is key to overcoming emotional eating)
Keep you motivated for the long haul
Help you stay present instead of obsessing over the end result
How Small Wins Show Up in Daily Life
Let’s talk about how this applies to food and body confidence. If you’ve been struggling with emotional eating, you might think success only happens when you “stop stress-eating forever.” But the reality is, every time you pause, check in with yourself, or make a conscious choice—even if you still eat the food—that’s a win.
Wins can look like:
Noticing when you’re eating out of stress instead of hunger
Choosing a form of movement that feels good, even if it’s just stretching for five minutes
Drinking an extra glass of water today
Showing yourself compassion instead of guilt after eating something “off-plan”
Realizing you need a break from the news or social media for your mental health
These small shifts build the foundation for lasting change.
My Personal Realization About Small Wins
Recently, I noticed something interesting: Even though I no longer stress-eat like I used to, my eating habits changed when life got overwhelming. One day, I chose nachos for lunch—something I wouldn’t normally do. Instead of beating myself up, I got curious.
Why? Because awareness is everything. Instead of spiraling into shame, I recognized that stress was influencing my choices. And that awareness? That was a win.
When you start noticing patterns without judgment, you gain power. And that power leads to better choices over time, not because you “have to” but because you want to.
How to Start Celebrating Your Wins
If you’re not used to acknowledging your progress, start small:
Daily Check-ins: Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I did today that I feel good about?”
Keep a “Wins” Journal: Write down every small step forward. Over time, you’ll see just how much progress you’ve made.
Shift Your Self-Talk: Instead of saying, “That’s not a big deal,” try, “This matters because I matter.”
Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Find people who celebrate your progress, and be that person for yourself, too.
The Truth About Progress
Healing your relationship with food and your body isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself in ways that feel good. It’s about honoring the commitments you make to yourself, not for a quick fix, but for long-term well-being.
So, I’ll ask you this: What’s one thing you’ve done recently that makes you proud?
I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email at Amy@AmyEnglishCC.com and let’s celebrate your wins together!
Don't forget to listen to the latest podcast episode of Fat2Fierce® The Confidence Chronicles for more on this topic. Listen and follow here.
xo,
Amy English Creator & Coach | Fat2Fierce®
Empowering women to reclaim their power with food and find peace with their bodies.
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