10 Empowering Tips for Living with Lipoedema by Bel Hardman

 1. Listen to Yourself

You are the expert on your body. Learn from others in the community but filter everything through your own lived experience. If something feels off, honour that. If a treatment or diet doesn’t sit right with you, it’s okay to adjust it, maybe you’re working with other conditions as well. Your journey with lipoedema is unique, don’t feel pressured to follow the same path as someone else. Trusting yourself is about paying attention to how your body responds to food, stress, movement, and everyday life, so you can make choices that truly support you.

 2. Validate Yourself

External validation feels good, initially, but internal validation is where your power lives. Build self-awareness so you can respond to your needs with honesty and care. Self-compassion isn’t about making excuses, it’s about recognising your limits, needs, and worth without judgement. Being honest with yourself doesn’t mean being harsh, it means seeing your whole self with clarity and compassion. Journaling, coaching, and even affirmations can help you strengthen that inner voice that says, "I matter."

3. Embrace Self-Compassion

Lipoedema affects so much, how you move, dress, think, and feel. That’s why self-compassion isn’t optional, it’s essential. Notice your inner voice. Is it kind? Is it fair? If you wouldn’t say it to a close friend, try speaking to yourself differently. You don’t need to love every part of your body to treat it with care and kindness. Becoming your own ally can shift your entire relationship with your condition. This includes celebrating small wins, like a good day or reduced swelling, and forgiving yourself for days when everything feels too much.

4. Stop Hating & Fighting Your Body - Work With It

It’s hard to heal a body you constantly criticise. Even if your body doesn’t look how you’d hoped, even post-surgery, it still deserves care, respect, and kindness. Start small, like appreciating what your legs can still do, offering kindness to your lymphatic system, and recognising the quiet resilience you show every day. Healing isn’t just about what your body looks like, it’s also about how you relate to it. When you begin to focus less on appearance and more on how your body supports you, it becomes easier to meet yourself with understanding instead of criticism. Your body may be carrying more than most people realise and it’s doing the best it can.

5. Eat What Works for You

There’s no one perfect diet. Keto, RAD, and low carb work for some, but not all. If, like me, you have other conditions, your dietary needs might differ. Start by tuning in to yourself. An elimination and reintroduction approach can help you notice what supports your digestion, energy, and what may cause discomfort or inflammation. Focus on what helps you feel your best, not what’s trending. Food can be healing, but it’s also deeply personal. Let your body’s responses guide your choices over time.

6. Stress & Inflammation Are Linked

Chronic stress increases inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, which can worsen lipoedema. Managing your nervous system is just as important as managing your food. Consider breathwork, EFT tapping, vagus nerve activation, mindfulness, journaling or simply spending time in nature. Even 5 minutes of deep breathing can lower cortisol and support lymphatic flow. Learning to listen to your stress signals before they become burnout is a vital part of self-care. A calmer nervous system can lead to better pain management, improved digestion, and more mental clarity.

7. Prioritise Rest, Recovery & Sleep

Sleep is when your body heals, detoxes, and resets. Without quality rest, your lymphatics and immune system can struggle. Create a calming evening routine, reduce screens, dim lights, try a sleep meditation. Honour naps if you need them. You’re not being lazy, you’re responding to a body that’s doing double duty every day. Good sleep also supports your brain's natural detox system, known as the glymphatic system. This system is most active during deep sleep, clearing waste and metabolic byproducts from the brain. It's thought to help reduce brain fog, improve mood, and enhance mental clarity. Prioritise recovery as much as you do movement.

8. Move - Your Lymphatic System Needs It

Your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like your heart. It relies on movement and manual support to flow properly. That doesn’t mean intense workouts, gentle, consistent movement can make a big difference. Walking, dry brushing, deep oscillation, fascia work, rebounding, yoga, or even simple limb lifts in bed all count. Movement can be one of your most powerful tools. The key is to choose what feels kind to your body and your energy levels. Make it enjoyable: dance in your kitchen, stretch while watching TV, or try some gentle chair yoga. Movement should be something you look forward to, not something you dread.

9. Find Your Tribe

The lipoedema community is beautifully diverse. Some are at stage 1 and just discovering this condition; others are post-surgery and managing long-term care, and others are later stage 3 or 4 managing mobility issues and possibly even lipo-lymphoedema. Connect with people who get you, those who have a similar stage, lifestyle, or outlook. But also hold space for those whose journey differs. Community isn’t about comparison, it’s about connection. Whether you find your tribe through social media, support groups, or local networks, surrounding yourself with empathetic voices can offer motivation, comfort, and shared learning.

10. Speak Up - You Deserve Support and Visibility

Don’t hide your struggle. Whether it’s a conversation with your GP, a partner, or a peer, your voice matters. Asking for support isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. Lipoedema may be under-recognised, but your experience is real and valid. Every time you advocate for yourself, you help break the silence around this condition and create space for others to be seen. When you share your story, you don’t just educate, you empower. You never know who might feel less alone because you spoke up.