I Have Abs...You Just Can't See Them

We've seen a surge in body positivity and body acceptance in all forms of media.  #bodypositive has over five million posts on Instagram. More brands are featuring women of varying sizes and shapes.  Yet, the underlying message remains, especially in relation to the fitness industry, that to be considered fit/healthy, you must look a certain way.  Most fitness programs aimed at women are linked to aesthetics. Get that beach body.  Work for the perfect round butt.  Develop goddess quads.  Get rid of belly fat and sculpt your abs. 

I don't have six pack abs and I don't want them.  But I feel like I'm expected to.

Fitness goes beyond appearance. We know this. Yet, aesthetics is what large portions of the fitness industry use to drive sales.  The hard, shiny bodies and exposed toned torsos are what is equated to being healthy and fit.   It is what we are supposed to strive towards. 

Let's say no.  Leading a physically active lifestyle and engaging in a purposeful exercise program is about MORE IMPORTANT THINGS.

We exercise because:   

•           We are more likely to live longer and less likely to develop certain serious illnesses or fall down and break a bone.  As stated in the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, research strongly suggests that physically active women have lower rates of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colon cancer, breast cancer, and depression when compared to less active women.   Women aged 60 and over who engage in regular activity are better able to continue performing daily activities, have a lower risk of falling, and have improved mental function. Of course, life has no guarantees but if all the evidence points to exercise=longer, healthier life,  let’s do that!
•            The anxiety that keeps us from living life fully may be reduced.  Research suggests physical activity may prevent the onset of anxiety symptoms. 
•              Better sleep!  Insomnia is terrible.  Most of us have or will have insomnia at some point in our lives.   Nearly a third of all American adults experience it each year!  The good news is that regular exercise is associated with better sleep quality.

Many other amazing mental, emotional, and physical benefits aren't listed here.  Once I started exercising because of the way it makes me feel and the health benefits rather than chasing after specific body part shapes, I found it much easier to get moving.  I stopped making as many excuses to skip planned exercise.  As a result, my body did change and I ended up with some of those specific body part shapes after all. 

So go for a walk. Dance. Lift weights. Do yoga. Move your body.   Do it for yourself - not because you are trying to change to fit some sort of “ideal”.  Create goals that work for you and your body.  Your fitness journey will be  much more pleasant if you do!