Love Your Body!
A few years ago, I was running with a group of my girl friends. As we ran, the talk was focused on our bodies, as in, “I feel so fat”, “I’m so out of shape”, and “I hate my stomach”. Here I was, running with a group of incredibly fit, intelligent, fabulous women, and all anyone could manage to say about themselves was, “I hate my stomach”?!?!? It literally stopped me in my tracks.
“Stop!” I said. “I propose that for the next month whenever we’re together (and preferably when we’re not), no one can say anything negative about their bodies.”
It was surprisingly difficult, but for the next month, I found myself silencing my negative body comments and reminding my friends to do the same. By not voicing my demons, I found they started to go away. I was inspired to care for my body instead of treating it like a symbolic punching bag.
If thinking positively isn’t enough for you, here are some commonly voiced complaints, top-notch exercises to address those complaints, and ultimately why you should love your body and all of it’s parts- no matter their shape or size!
Stomach
Biggest complaint: stomach “pooch”, followed closely by “love handles” or “muffin top”.
Exercise to strengthen: the only way to burn stomach fat (or fat in general) is cardio. Get your heart rate up running, cycling, or participating in your favorite sport.
My favorite stomach toner? The plank works your entire core, or bicycle crunches which work your abs and obliques.
Reason to love your stomach: Where else would you get butterflies when you’re in love?
[/caption]Arms
Biggest complaint: flab (underarm jiggle and wiggle)
Exercise to tone: tricep dips
Love your arms because: There is nothing better than a big, warm hug, no matter the size of the arms that give it!
Butt
Biggest complaint: Too big! Too flat! Too wide! The butt is the area where most people want whatever they don’t have.
Exercise to sculpt: To lift and tone your derriere, I recommend Explosive Lunges. (ouch- but worth it!)
Why you should love your butt: Ever heard of a song called, “Baby Got Back”, watched Beyonce dance, or shook your groove thing?
Thighs
Biggest complaint: “thunder thighs”, “saddlebags”…
Exercise to shape: good old-fashioned squats.
Leg love: After years of leg-loathing, I remember loving everything about my legs after crossing the finish line of my first Ironman triathlon. Hopefully it won’t take an endurance event for you to appreciate what your legs do everyday. They take you where you need to be- running, walking, cycling- they dance, they kick- they’re awesome!!
Back
Biggest complaint: back fat- that pesky roll that forms around your bra line or underarm.
Exercise to tone: Rear Delt Fly
Loving your back: Despite it getting so little attention when we check ourselves in the mirror, the back is beautiful. Artists have revered it. Use your back to stand tall, walk proud, and look confident. The quickest way to visually lose two kilos? Stand up straight. Thanks back!
As easy as it is to focus on the negative, remember the amazing things that your body does every day. Positivity and self-confidence do as much good for your body as exercise and eating right. Love your body and it will show- inside and out!
Photos: wadem, Pitslamp, and Eatingsnowflakes
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Hey this is a great article and very true. The only thing I would say is I don’t like the photo choice of the women’s stomach. It’s too ‘perfect’ and surely the perpetuation and inundation of perfect images of women’s bodies from the media is one of the reasons women feel so depressed with their own bodies. Celebrating women’s bodies as you do here should also involve a celebration of ‘normal’ body shapes with stretchmarks, wobbly bits and older skin too
It’s really true what you write though, women (through no fault of their own, it’s society that causes it) treat their body as an object….not appreciating the amazing practical uses it has that make it possible to live and experience life.
Thanks Claire! I agree- the stretchmarks, wobbly bits, and older skin show that we’ve lived life to the fullest. Keep loving your amazing body!!