Recently a coworker was describing her first meeting with her new personal trainer at a local big chain type gym. He took her through his initial questionnaire and one of his questions was (in her words): what parts of your body do you NOT like and want to work on? Ummm WHAT?! I think my jaw dropped; I was shocked. Is this is common? Maybe I’ve been out of the “normal” fitness space for so long I’ve forgotten? I just see this as so completely backwards and inwardly I felt mad! People struggle with this enough, no one has to tell us to be critical of our bodies, it’s easy. No fitness professional is needed to help us look In the mirror and just see flabby arms, pudgy tummies, chunky thighs, cellulite.... the list could go on.
What’s hard is shifting your focus and realizing that moving and nourishing your body is not a punishment. And it’s not something you should do because you hate your thighs, stomach, butt or arms. Because working out shouldn’t be a punishment. Your body is an amazing gift. You don’t HAVE TO move it and exercise, you GET TO.
Work out because you LOVE your body. Because you want to be better, you love the endorphin high, because you love to feel strong, because you love what your body can DO and what it allows you to do. You can take care of yourself, hug and hold your kids, run, jump, hike, swim, walk on the beach, feel the warm sunshine, feel the sand between your toes. Work out because you want to be as healthy as you can for as long as you can. You get one body and one life - and you get to make the most of it! Don’t let anyone tell you you should focus on the negative and hate any part of you. Love it, nourish it, care for it, move it and enjoy it.