Some thoughts and discussions from me.

So. Over the past few months I’ve been making somewhat of an effort to eat a little less butter and donuts in order to get a little more summer ready.

And it’s been a success. Every year I tend to gain 5 or so pounds in the winter, and then shed it in the spring. I’m leaner than I was at Christmas, but I was still enjoying much of my favorite foods in the process. And while I may be leaner, I still have cellulite on the back of my legs. But here’s the thing: I’m totally OK with that.

Scratch that – I’m more than ok with it. I prefer it!

FullSizeRender (11)

It hasn’t always been that way. I used to catch a glimpse of my legs in the mirror and say some pretty awful things to myself. Now look – I’m not saying I think I’m fat or anything, but we all have or have had body insecurities, and mine happened to be my thunder thighs. Granted, weight lifting has done crazy incredible things for the physique of my legs, but they’re still my legs. And now, what they represent far outweighs any resentment toward them.

Because I’ve gotten so lean that it begins to disappear (it’ll never completely disappear – it’s just part of my DNA) and while I may lose my cellulite, do you know what else I lose?

My period.

Alongside with that, I lose my boobs, my upper body looks a little too lean, and I get low blood sugar. And to me, that trade is 120% NOT worth it.

I just turned 30 years old, and when and if my husband and I have kids, I want my body to be in good reproductive health. Do you know what’s needed for good reproductive health? Body fat. And if for me, that means having a few dimples on the backs of my legs, I’m A-OK with that.

It’s easy to get caught up in achieving the perfect physique, especially if you’re making great progress as is. But I implore you to put aesthetics second to health in your fitness and nutrition efforts.

I get it – I really do. Scrolling along instagram, you likely see pictures of bodies that look insanely lean, muscular, and who appear not to have a flaw on them. But if I were get that lean, I’d be miserable. Unhealthy. With a hormone system that would flat out shut down on me. And besides, I’m all right with a little junk in the trunk.

IMG_2391

Look, I’m not saying every shredded woman on instagram is unhealthy. As I’ve said before, we all have different versions of what’s healthy for US. But Instagram and Facebook are not real life, and that person very likely:

a) took that picture in very flattering light

b) doesn’t put their flaws on display

c) are twisted into contorted poses to make them look more lean/flattering

I’m not bashing these people. Heck, I’m guilty of it sometimes! I naturally carry less weight around my mid-section, and more weight around my butt and thighs. When I work out and get hot, I tend to shed layers that showcase my abs much more than I do teeny tiny short shorts. But – I’m working to change that in an effort to be more real, transparent, and to fully get over my own insecurities. I work on it daily!

Actually, writing that out reminds me of a series of exercise demos I filmed in the gym. When I got home, I was initially horrified at how badly the lighting showed every dimple and bump. Granted, this was taken on January 2nd, when I’m typically my heaviest weight during the year, but still. Anyway, I just realized that I still haven’t shown the video – which showcases some pretty damn good exercises if I do say so myself – until now…

 

 

The last one – the assisted glute ham raise? Is a much safer alternative than ballistically pushing yourself off of a BOSU ball. But anyway, I digress. I also remember putting effort into showing only the most flattering clips! *Sigh*…what a waste of energy – right? And this is coming from someone who has a really good body image!

While it’s absolutely fine to showcase what you’re proud of and work with what you’ve got, I’m a big proponent of owning your own body and having confidence whatever your shape. We’re all different shapes and sizes, and for some people to have a six pack, they would have to get to a dangerously low body fat. Some people are more slender through the hips. Some through the waste. Work with what you’ve got. You don’t have to have a specific shape to be IN shape.

[Tweet “You don’t have to have a specific shape to be IN shape. via @trainerpaige”]

And please – I know I’m not some special snowflake. Nearly every single woman out there has cellulite. But for some reason we all do everything we can to conceal it – or whatever our “trouble zone” is. But back to my point – if carrying a little extra weight in my hips and thighs means having a strong, healthy, fully functioning hormone system, then for me, I welcome that.

[Tweet “Why I Love My Cellulite – via @TrainerPaige #fitfluential”]

What body part are you most insecure about? Do you tend to hide that and showcase other body parts? (again, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with this! I’m just opening up the dialogue. xoxo)