Table 2 Thematic analysis summary – themes of challenge participant outcomes

1 Internal shift in mindset

1a. Body appreciation

“I really appreciate my breasts as they have feed & comforted my youngest daughter for two and a half years & still going strong, which I am so proud of”

1b. Focus on body function

“I like my legs - they get me around everywhere, I love walking and running at the beach, they are getting stronger with running”

1c. Gratitude

“I am grateful for my eyes, I don’t need glasses(yet) and they let me see the beautiful lives I created. No matter how tired I am they still open in the middle of the night when I’m needed. I love watching my babies grow”

1d. Positive re-framing

“It’s ok to feel overwhelmed as a parent (it’s relentless) and being a good mum is not synonymous with being perfect”

1e. Shift in mindset

“I feel a shift in my mindset is happening - that I am beginning to appreciate my body more”

2 External shifts in perspective

2a. Reclaiming body

“Talking about what my body can do and appreciating it felt like reclaiming my space, reclaiming my body and honouring it in a way. It helped me drop the resentment and feel like this is my body, it’s my choice and I choose to be here”

2b. Role-modelling

“Learning to love my body and what it can do is the best way I can help my children love themselves”

2c. Focus on the bigger picture

“The creases around your eyes reflect the laughter and smiles you’ve had over the last 3 decades”

3 Change in how I treat myself

3a. Pride in self

“Instead of seeing what I dislike, I see what my body has achieved and makes me feel proud. It shows me that my body is more than just the negative parts that I see of it”

3b. Self-care

“I’m finally starting to learn that in order for my girls to have the happy and healthy mum they deserve, I need to take care & look after myself too”

3c. Self-compassion

“You’ve done your best. You are loved. You are making a difference. This is your journey and no one expects perfection”

4 Increased self-awareness

4a. Internal bodily awareness

“At the end of the day when I could choose to do this task or go to bed early, I listened to my body”

4b. Mindfulness

“If I feel bad about part of my body I acknowledge this feeling without judgement and move on”

4c. Self-awareness

“I realised I hadn’t given much thought to my body other than how it looks, or when it doesn’t work properly. What about all the amazing things it does do?”

4d. Self-reflection

“It’s so funny to actually put thoughts onto paper - it’s makes you think and question what you’re actually saying”