Let me start with something that you already know, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Let me give you my unapologetic opinion on this one. There is no specific diet or exercise regimen that will make you look like Suzy-Anne on Instagram because she is not you and you are not her. It takes a mindset shift to move from picking apart and targeting our flaws and moving toward body acceptance.
I’m huge on Mindset Coaching and one of the things that I believe that we need to be aware of is the “why” behind our search and obsession with targeting one (or multiple) specific area(s) of our bodies. I believe in Body Autonomy and the right to present ourselves however we want to show up in the world. If you want to dye your hair purple, great! If you want to lose or gain weight, great! If you want to shave your eyebrows off, fantastic!! I am here for you to support you and love you so that you can show-up and fully participate as yourself in this world.
As a Personal Trainer – here are the most common areas that I hear from women that they would like to target throughout their fitness journey.
- Inner thighs
- Buttocks and outer hips
- Under arm “flab” “water wings” “chicken wings” – I’ve heard it all
- Stomach
In examining the “why” behind these, it’s really about connecting with yourself and asking “what is my motive behind this?” “how would reaching ____ goal meet my needs?” I think it’s important to be honest with yourself and to reach some clarity surrounding your goals. Why I say that “targeted weight loss is a load of BS” is because everyone is so different that not one exercise or one way of eating can help everyone with the same goal. Did you know that everyone’s metabolism is different and that even your own metabolism can be completely different from one week to the next. So, there really is no quick and easy life hack for this one.
“even your own metabolism can be completely different from one week to the next.”
So, if you’re reading this right now, know that it’s for a reason. Know that you were meant to see this as an invitation to:
- Allow yourself some grace, kindness, and compassion along your fitness journey
- Accept that just because Suzy-Anne is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and does cross fit 18 times per week doesn’t mean that you have to and that it will necessary work for you and meet your needs
- You have body autonomy, you have the right to work on what ever part(s) of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, sexually, emotionally, and psychologically that so choose to work on in order to show up as the most authentic version of yourself
- Take a look at the “why” behind your goals without judging them – do you need to adjust where you’re headed? Or, does it feel right for you to pursue them?
