Accepting a Changing Body

Psychology Today | 02.07.2026 04:22
It is not only natural but also universal for our bodies to change over time. Body size and shape, and how our bodies function, change throughout adulthood. At different points in our adult lives, we may wear different clothing sizes and have varied physical abilities. For example, we experience a gradual loss of muscle mass as we age, starting in our 30s, and through middle age, fat naturally redistributes due to hormonal changes. Further, most adults gradually lose height starting in their 40s due to normal compression of the spine.