Some thoughts and discussions from me.
I Have Cellulite–so What?
Good morning, friends! Less than a week until Glute Camp begins – get excited!! It sounds like you are – more than 200 of you have already signed up- and you’ve got until Sunday night to go for it. There will be more information with details posted this week.
Until then…let’s have some #truthtime.
Yesterday I told you all about my weekend – how I passed my health coach exam, and then spent the rest of the 48 hours until Sunday evening absolutely living it up.
…But I left one thing out.
For the first time in months, or maybe even years, I experienced some negative talk during an all too typical scenario – while trying on bathing suits and short shorts.
I can remember having issues with the backs of my legs ever since hitting puberty. I played volleyball from junior high to college, and remembered just hating that we had to wear itsy bitsy teeny weeny spandex shorts for one reason and one reason only: the cellulite on the backs of my thighs.
These two pictures were taken on the same day, in the same dressing room, with the same lighting. It’s just a slightly different angle, and the front vs. back.
This post really isn’t about my legs – it’s about my what my thoughts were about them – and my body. I disliked the back of my legs so much that I developed an eating disorder in high school. However, that was almost 15 years ago now, and since then, I’ve developed a pretty unbreakable positive body image. Alas, negative self-talk can permeate even those who seem to have an iron-clad self image, sometimes.
This past Saturday afternoon, after an evening prior of drinking mimosas and eating tamales with friends, and a morning of a big ol’ bagel sandwich (that was darn tasty, mind you) I found myself in the dressing room at Athleta, with 5 swim suits and 4 pairs of shorts hanging on the wall, waiting for me to try them on.
Each item I tried on, I felt fine looking at myself straight on in the mirror. However, with each item that I turned around and used my iPhone as a mirror to check out the back view, a layer of that positive body image was chipped away. And then the nasty thoughts came…
I guess I should probably stop eating so many carbs
I need to work on the back of my legs more
Ugh, I should lose about 5 pounds
I believe I literally shook myself out of it, and just as fast as the negative thoughts seeped in, I started replacing them with positive ones.
Nope, that bagel was delicious. I don’t want to stop eating it.
Nope, when I weighed 10 pounds less, I didn’t get my period. I’m at a perfectly healthy weight.
So, I have cellulite – and that’s ok! What’s the worst that could happen?
Let’s talk about that last thought for a minute. Really, what is the worst that could happen? I guarantee you no one at the pool will ever walk up to me and point out to me that I have cellulite. For starters, no one probably cares. They’re all worried about their own cellulite. Honestly, the worst thing that could come out of it is my own negative thoughts about it. So, the worst thing that could happen is something that I can control and change anyway? I can’t change the fact that I have a few dimples on the legs, but I can change my thoughts. I think I’ll do the latter.
And you know what? I walked out with a swim suit and those shorts that day.
How do you deal with negative body image talk when it creeps in?
short but sweet post! thanks for sharing! i’m learning to replace those negative thoughts with positive truths!
I needed that today…thank you.
I am teaching my first group fitness class on Monday. I was at a class last night, and was having some negative self-talk because my body doesn’t fit your “typical” instructor at this yoga studio. Then, I caught a glimpse of my arms, which I have been working hard on, and tried to quiet the negative with some positive. I’ll keep trying! 🙂
Amy recently posted…What a Weekend!
You’re going to rock it, Amy!
For the record, you look amazing! I honestly don’t think anyone notices or cares about cellulite, given that the vast majority of women have it. I think things like that are barely noticeable to anyone but ourselves! FWIW, I would always choose bagels over dimple-free legs 😉
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…Feeling better already
Agreed! If dimpled legs are the result of bagels and a few cocktails, I think it’s well worth the trade 😉 haha
It’s great that you’re able to turn the negative thoughts around like that! I’ve been doing my best to keep a positive body image – not always easy, but I’m trying. P.S. you look awesome!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Rehashing June.
Good for you! I can always find something “wrong” with my body. I do what I ask my clients to do – stop and find what’s right!
Exactly! Great advice, Pamela 🙂
Amen! Carbs are too delicious and not worth giving up. Way to think positively, you’re an inspiration! 🙂
Tori recently posted…Confessions of an Ex Exercise Snob
Excellent post page! I just purchased one of their tankini’s! The fitting room lightening is NEVER flattering..lol
Fantastic post, i love your honesty. A lot of times many think as trainers we should not feel “insecure” etc but we do at times myself included. Once I start having these negative feelings/thoughts I remind myself of all my body has done for me. Happy thoughts all the way. Have a wonderful day.
Jodie recently posted…A Pilates Poem
when I saw those pictures.. I was thinking you looked awesome! I didn’t even notice cellulite! lol! I have it too… I think it is a great reminder that we are women. Fearfully and wonderfully made!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Charleston Adventures, Part 2
Fearfully and wonderfully made… amen sister!! LOVE you! <3 <3
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…Tuesday thoughts on trust…
Everyone has a little bit of cellulite! It’s LIFE!!!! We need to focus on our positive attributes and always remember that someone has it worse than you!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Traversing Los Angeles with Stacy! #ChevyFitTrip
Love this post – thanks for keeping it real! When negative self-talk creeps its way in, I try to remind myself that I’m at one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life. I’m content, feel good, and healthy! What more should I want?
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…A Colorful Summer: Recipes Featuring Summer’s Best Produce
Good for you! I need to be better about stopping my own negative self-talk. I can promise you that when people see you at the pool they’ll only be thinking that you look great!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…What I learned at FitBloggin’ 14
Whenever I start feeling self conscious about something I try to remind myself over and over that 1) no one else probably notices/cares and 2) is that really what’s important in my life? Am I going to look back over my life and think, remember when I was in my 20s and had great arms/legs/abs/etc? No.
Such a great perspective, Katie <3
great post and love your honesty!
janetha recently posted…sunday night stuff.
A few weeks ago, I read a HuffPo blog post (I Wear a Bikini because…F*&! You. ) and there was one line that really stuck with me and changed my attitude toward myself and my body in a bikini. The author said, “I actually do not exist for your viewing pleasure, and your ideas about who should and should not be seen in a bikini are zero percent my concern.” It really struck a chord with me, and I rocked my bikini like a champ on my cruise even though I don’t have a totally flat tummy.
YES! I love that. No one cares. And if they do, they’ve got bigger issues.
We’ve all got body issues, although so few of us are willing to speak up about them so kudos to you. You pretty much rock.
Of course I have things I would change if I had a magic and a fairy godmother. Instead I chose to focus on the bits of my body I do love.
Great post.
Amen. Cellulite, smellulite. Who cares? Here’s what I think to myself: Do your legs still work? yes. Do you still HAVE legs? yes. Be thankful, some people don’t. Bet they’d take legs with cellulite if they had a choice. The End.
I feel like I could have written this post myself! I’ve struggled with an eating disorder in the past and I definitely still have negative self-talk occasionally. I used to idolize the stick thin, model type women, but now I look up to strong, healthy women who take care of their bodies! I think you do a great job of that and you always look so great. All women have cellulite. Some women just don’t have the luxury of being air-brushed in a magazine (not that I think that’s necessary at all anyways). Also, if you are in a relationship and think of the way your partner looks at you, you’ll understand that they could care less about that stuff! They love us the way we are.
I think you look great! Way to keep the positive thoughts going!
I completely identified with this post, but for different reasons. Ever since I had a growth spurt in high school, I developed stretch marks on the top of my calves and on my hips. I have always been really lean and actually ran track all through high school and into university so my overall body fat was next to nothing. However, I felt really ashamed of wearing shorts because I didn’t want anyone to see my stretch marks. It sucks the pressure that we put on ourselves.
I finally got to a point where I just wanted to enjoy the weather and not feel like I always have to be covered up and low and behold, I got so many compliments on how lean and beautiful my legs were. It was really surprising given all the negative self talk that I had given myself. Oddly enough I am finally at a stage where I feel I can accept myself and then my cousin (who is 18) had a growth spurt a couple of years ago and got stretch marks and also gained quite a bit of weight in general compared to how she was previously, and my whole family started commenting on it and making her feel bad.
I felt like I was reliving my worst nightmare and one that didn’t even happen to me but that I feared would happen to me. My cousin wasn’t physically active and previous to coming to live with my mom she had been practically starved to death – her mom was on welfare and made no effort to put food in the house. Anyway, the fact that my family could do that and say that her natural body was the one that had been starved for years, was so appalling and ridiculous that it made me really hate being around them because I never realized how judgmental and hurtful they could be.
All of this to say, the struggle is real. I think that every day we leave the comfort of our own home, we are fighting a battle with ourselves to feel confident and worthy and strong and capable in the face of all the multitude of microaggressions that are ready to tear us down instead of build us up. Bottom line is that it has to come from within, you are so right in your assessment of countering the negative with positive – it’s the only way to make it stop and to realize that words from others shouldn’t hold the power that it sometimes does. People always tell me that I have difficulty taking a compliment and it’s solely because (and not to sound conceited) I don’t want to rely on others to build me up – if you take the good, you also have to take the bad. And we often give so much more weight to the bad. Anyway, sorry for the rant. This was a great post and a great reminder of what is truly important in life.
I look forward to your posts every day. And I leave inspired, every single time. Thank you!
it’s so easy to point out what needs to fixed, but in reality, all is RIGHT! love you!
Good for you for being able to turn those thoughts around, and so quickly! I try and do that as well but it’s tough, tough, tough. It’s helpful for me to realize, as you mentioned, that no one’s really focused on you because they’re too busy worrying about themselves – #truth.
Jen @ Bagels to Broccoli recently posted…Like A Girl…
Such a great post, Paige. I too have the back-of-the-leg cellulite and WHO CARES! Sometimes I hear those negative thoughts creep in, but I know that it’s something that I really can’t control and shouldn’t. It’s how my body is made and I just need to embrace it. Go girl!
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted…Chicago Marathon Week 3
Oh boy… you are speaking right at me sister, if I wasn’t at work I’d be in tears! Especially with knowing that at my slimmest, I was not getting my period and I’m only now seeing the healing happen. I still catch myself thinking all the negatives, in fact, I have refused to go clothes shopping right now because I can’t wrap my head around being this weight long term. It’s been a real struggle for me, but you reminded me of the fact that my health is of the most importance. I’ve got cellulite on more than the back of my legs, but I choose to embrace the womanly curves instead of constantly cursing them… it serves no one to constantly criticize! LOVE you girl!! xo
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…Tuesday thoughts on trust…
I love this so much, Paige.
My legs always used to be the body part about which I was most self-conscious and self-critical. I’ve learned to appreciate and love my legs for what they are able to do and how strong they are. I love your positive, empowering attitude towards something that is blown up as a terrible thing in our society!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…WIAW: Feelin’ Fancy in the Kitchen
90% of women have cellulite. The tendency has a genetic component to it. Nothing you can do but accept and remember how strong those legs are!
Tamara recently posted…How much sugar is too much?
Ditto. And thank you!!
I agree with you 100%!!!! I have spend way too much time being concerned over my cellulite and jiggly legs and bum, but who really cares besides me? No one! I just wish it didn’t take me so long to finally realize this.
Thanks for sharing.Please visit my blog about getting rid of cellulite!
How to Lose Cellulite Fast? Women of all ages come across with the formation of cellulite on their thighs and legs and the problem gets worse with age. The fat cells are connected to the skin by the fibers that are formed of connective tissues. In females, these fibers are arranged in a honeycomb shape pattern.
How to Lose Cellulite Fast?
Ricky recently posted…Beneficial Nutrients Against to Cellulite