Ready to hear something “shocking”…I actually had MORE BODY CONFIDENCE in the picture on the far left than middle…
I’ve had some clients recently start working with me on their fat loss goals and be totally upset with their pre-program pictures. And while I’m an advocate for fat loss and getting leaner and stronger; I’m NOT an advocate for women tearing down their bodies or believing that weight loss is going to make them happier or more body confident. Because the truth is, it doesn’t.
The picture above is July 2016 to October 2016, where I lost 40 lbs in 4 months. This was NOT healthy in any type of mental or physical way!!!!
Before my weight loss journey, I genuinely didn’t have any negative body image thoughts and I had initially just decided to lose weight because I knew my nutrition and non-exercise activity wasn’t good for my health, but I quickly became obsessed with the scale and doing everything I could to get the number to drop.
But reaching my goal weight DID NOT improve my body image, instead it lead me to feeling isolated, to having a fear of food, and to being addicted to exercise.
But what did get me to being confident in my body regardless of what the scale says, is when I changed to focusing on nourishing my body to be strong and thrive instead of just focusing on keeping it small.
I found confidence in the gym and in the weight room which translated to me feeling confident and strong in everything.
I let go of my food anxiety and now enjoy ALL foods in moderations that fuel and satisfy me.
Being more confident and relaxed with my food choices and knowing that I am respecting my body with how I’m fueling it, instead of depriving it, also led me to have more body confidence.
BUT I also want to say that just because I am more confident in my body doesn’t mean I feel amazing all the time or have no body insecurities whatsoever.
There are days I wake up feeling lean and other days I wake up feeling bloated/puffy, but I just take it as it is and don’t let it control my overall image, mood, or confidence for the day.
I wish I could have known all of this while I was in my weight loss phase, but I am happy I at least know this truth now and can share it with you!!
Because you CAN have body goals AND still LOVE and RESPECT your body!
And while soo much of the fitness industry puts the emphasis that “going hard” and depriving yourself with extreme exercise, low calorie diets, cleanses, and detox teas is the best way to reach your goals, ultimately following these extreme measures will just make you feel like a failure when you can’t sustain them.
Which is why I suggest practicing sustainable and enjoyable nutrition and exercise regimens as this will help build that confidence while reaching your goals!
This picture is from last week. 3 years later, I am stronger, healthier, more mentally balanced, and even have a lower body fat % than at my lowest weight even though I weigh more. There have been times over the past 3 years that I have been leaner and stronger than I am now so keeping a positive body image for myself has honestly been challenging. But at the same time I have to remember that I’ve dealt with an injury that kept me out of the gym for a few months, I dealt with some intense hormonal issues where I lost my period for 2.5 years (after my extreme weight loss), I’ve done a lot of traveling and living without tracking! It can be easy for me to be discouraged that I’m not as strong or lean as I was previously, but ultimately I have to give myself and my body the love and grace it deserves and realize that the rest and memories that have led it to being what it is today were necessary and worth it.
Big takeaways?
Weight loss does NOT automatically improve Body Confidence, but the journey to reaching your fitness goals can!
Accepting that your body is doing the best it can to keep you thriving, and will do so even better if you love it, fuel it properly, and don’t overwork it, is I think key to reaching your fitness goals and developing a strong positive body image.
Focus on fueling, loving, and strengthening your body and it will THRIVE! And feeling this happen will lead to body confidence that can LAST through all of your body’s stages.
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Need help with setting up your maintenance calories and/or doing a reverse diet and want guidance with macros/nutrition and/or personal training from me, a Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist? Check out my coaching services which range from me just setting up macros and training programs to macros with meal ideas to more in-depth one-on-one coaching that involves 24/7 email access to me and weekly check-ins.
*This post was created by Ashley Cates who is not a Registered Dietician or a Medical Professional, nothing said should be taken as medical advice or replace any advice given by a Physician. This information does not in any way intend to diagnose or treat any health condition/disorder. The information provided is based on Ashley’s education and experience.