Sunday 2/2

Hey, ladies!

I wanted to share something that I heard this week….

(Scroll down for this week’s Q&A if that’s what you’re looking for!)

Sooooo, I was listening to a podcast this past week. At the end of each show they take callers through video chat. The callers come with prepared questions and the hosts offer their health/fitness advice.

Let me tell you about this caller in particular…

She has lost 100 lbs by following a strength training program (AMAZING!).

She is in the greatest shape of her life.

YET, she is still unhappy with the way she looks.

She looks in the mirror and sees someone larger than the person she currently is.

Even DOCTORS tell her she quite literally has no more fat to lose.

BUT, here she is calling in still unsatisfied with the way she looks, asking for advice on how to build her body to “look better”, how to get “longer and leaner,” and specifically asked how to target her legs more and put less emphasis on her arms so she didn’t look “big”.

Now, the hosts right away let her know that she looks incredible, her hard work is entirely noticeable, and that she’s achieved exactly what she’s wanted to achieve. They told her they can easily tweak her workout program to target her legs more, but, after leading with that, they let her know the new workout program won’t change how she perceives herself. They took a bit of a deep dive into her mindset and how it’s a mental hurdle she will need to work through if she wants to ever be content.

For women especially, the basis of this situation is so common.

The mirror can show us someone that isn’t actually reality.

The mirror can show us someone that we deem not good enough.

The mirror can show us someone that we deem imperfect, maybe even “ugly.”

And here’s why…

Through TV, movies, magazines, online media, social media, etc. we’ve been conditioned to believe that the “better” we look, the better our life will be.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that if we are perfectly toned, perfectly lean, and perfectly shaped, that we will achieve ultimate satisfaction in our lives.

BUT, how we look is not something that will ever bring genuine happiness, success, and fulfillment.

If we’re relying on how we look to achieve those things, then we will always end up disappointed.

No one who is important in your life cares what you look like.

They do care if you are physically healthy.

They do care if you are mentally healthy.

They do care how you treat yourself.

They do care how you treat others.

They do care if you live a long and independent life.

The caller who has lost 100lbs, in the best shape of their life, virtually has no body fat left to lose, but still unhappy with who she sees… doesn’t need a new training program. She needs a new mindset. Because she will always be striving for something more to finally bring her that happiness and fulfillment, but that something does not exist.

How we perceive ourselves is entirely up to us an individuals.

It’s normal to have body fat.

It’s normal to have cellulite.

It’s normal to have dimples.

It’s normal to have wrinkles.

It’s normal to have hair.

It’s normal for bodies to change through different phases of life.

Please remember: perfection does not exist and it will never exist.

Our bodies are absolutely incredible the way they are.

They allow us to do quite literally everything.

And all they ask of us is to nourish it, respect it, and accept it.

If we don’t treat our body well, then it will not treat us well.

So…

Lift weights.

Eat well.

Be active.

Priortize sleep.

Surround yourself with positive influences.

Change the way you view fitness - not as a way to achieve the ultimate body, but as a way to achieve ultimate physical health, mental health, and longevity.

SUNDAY Q&A

Supplements? What to actually take?

The supplement industry creates products for profit like any other industry and we have seen supplements become very heavily marketed recently. People have become convinced that supplements are the magic ingredients to attain the body and self they desire with each supplement seeming to claim that this is the ONE pill or powder that will get them more muscle, less fat, reduce bloat, etc.

Supplements have become a huge topic especially now on social media. We see our favorite influencers and celebrities endorsing products left and right. All of us striving to achieve a fitter body, reduce body fat, perform better, and ultimately feel our best are left wondering ‘Do I need this’???

In short, save your money and focus on improving your diet and other lifestyle factors instead of splurging on supplements.

Protein powder? Not necessary. I always recommend that protein come from whole food sources, not a powder. If you really struggle to hit your protein goal, then supplementing with protein powder may be necessary. However, it is not the same as eating whole foods, therefore it will not be absorbed the same and will not be used as effectively in the body.

BCAA’s? Not necessary. If you are eating a high protein diet, then you are already consuming enough BCAA’s. ANY whole protein source has BCAA’s. You will get zero benefit from supplementing with BCAA’s if your protein intake is high.

Collagen? Not necessary. Collagen is just a cheap protein (a terrible one at that) source that isn’t used by the body very effectively. If you consume a high protein diet, then collagen won’t do anything for you.

Creatine? May be beneficial. This is one supplement I would recommend for women looking to recover faster and gain strength. Creatine is the only supplement to consistently be proven to not only be safe to consume, but also allow your muscles to more efficiently recover and increase muscle growth.

Fat Burners? Not necessary. Fat burners may initially give you increased energy and suppress your appetite, but this only works for a short period of time. Your body will adapt and eventually the effects will simply no longer work. Once off fat burners, your body will have a higher than normal appetite resulting in excessive weight gain. Simply, they’re not safe or effective. You're 100% better off sticking to a well programmed workout plan and consuming a healthy diet.