hopeposting

Yes, I agree that self-hatred can be used as motivation sometimes, and it can be a good one too. But it is a somewhat dangerous path.

I myself struggled with my body - I hated looking in a mirror and even more I hated going in public with even remotely tight/revealing clothes. In my case the rational decision was to go to the gym and get a diet, and this is where self-hatred failed me - it always told me I wasn't good enough, why do I even try, I always gonna look like shit this doesn't work. Only when I noticed it and started actively pushing against it, cutting myself some slack and, in a sense, just loving myself, it allowed me to start getting slow but steady progress.

but there's always a way to work with what you're given and turn it around, even if just to make a little bit of progress each day

Yes, I completely agree. And I also think that you need to have some level of self-love and self-compassion to know and understand that, and to allow yourself to grow in that way.

Also, on the other note: Congrats on the progress, man! Keep up the good work! :)