Last Thursday night’s cardio barre class was one of the best I’ve taken in a while. There was a good energy, and despite the 2 donuts I ate prior, I felt great the whole time!
I’ve mentioned it before, but I really like our instructor. She’s energetic, motivating, and hands-on, but this time, something she says every class stuck with me:
“…get the body you deserve!”
//via//
I never really thought about it—after all, it’s just another phrase like “don’t give up!” or “you can do it!” to encourage and challenge us—but after reading this timely post about postpartum bodies, something about the word deserve struck a nerve.
(Let me reiterate here that I really enjoy this instructor—she’s friendly, funny, motivating, and good at her job—and I am 100% positive this phrase is just one of her many ways to encourage her patrons. This is not a criticism!)
But really, what kind of body does one deserve?
Do I deserve a six-pack? To be able to touch my toes with ease? To fit into a size 2?
And how much does one have to put in?
By going to the gym 60 minutes, 5 times a week? Running a 7-minute mile? Eating 100% “clean” (whatever that means)?
Let’s face it. Even if I eat all the right macros, hire the best personal trainer, and achieve all of the PRs I can set for myself, my body composition is different than yours.
Although I’m naturally small and have been pretty lean, I don’t think I’ll ever have a six-pack.
I have friends who eat incredibly clean, who run fast and frequently, and who have the strength of an ox—yet their bodies carry extra fat than someone less active but with a naturally thin physique.
Likewise, I have friends (and family!) who could lift the heaviest weights, but, due to their genetics, could never get “ripped.”
“Fitspriration” (#fitspo) can be beneficial to some (although it can be taken negatively), and it can be extremely motivating to imagine yourself with a certain body or goal in mind.
As long as your goals are realistic to your physique, then I don’t see the harm in wanting to whittle your waist or add some definition to your derriere. Without such images and goals, it can be easy to throw in the towel—after all, most things worth doing aren’t easy.
The next time your fitness instructor throws a similar motivator your way, smile—and keep in mind why you’re there. Push yourself if you know you’re capable, but don’t get too crazy.
//via//
The body you deserve isn’t one that mirrors society’s narrow view of fit. No, the body you deserve is one that enables you to experience life.
It’s the body that picks you up when you fall, that laughs when you’re told a funny a joke.
It’s the body that ran a marathon when such a feat seemed impossible, or the body that overcame cancer and grew even stronger.
It’s the body that walks with a defined limp because of an accident, or the body that carried and nourished a healthy child (and extra weight) for many months.
It might be the body that won a fitness competition, but more likely, it’s the body that enjoys the sensation of a professional massage.
Set goals and push yourself. But remember this: you—and all of your experiences and accomplishments to date—are the body you deserve.
[linking up for thinking out loud]
- What motivates you during your workouts?
- Is there something in particular that one of your coaches/instructors says each class that you find motivating or interesting?
- Tell me something your body can do that makes you proud.
thanks for the motivation. I have a half this weekend so perfect timing.
Thank you for reading and good luck on your half! I wish I could say I’ve run a half! 🙂
Wow, everything you point out about the phrase “getting the body you deserve” is so true. The truth is, the body we “deserve” is the body that makes us feel the most alive, the most comfortable, the most joyous. It’s the one that allows us to move actively, spend time with family and friends, or even relax.
Just like I know I will never be 6 feet tall because of my short genes, I know I will never have a six-pack ab like my sister. We both weightlift, but she’s been muscular since the sixth grade when she didn’t do anything but eat mac ‘n cheese and go for an occassional run. Meanwhile, I felt like I had to exercise every day, yet I still never had the same abs or defined quads she did.
That used to bother me, but know I embrace who I AM, over who other people are. Being happy in your own skin becomes so much easier when you try to avoid comparison. Thanks for the inspiring post!
Thank you for reading. Yes, being happier in your own skin is so much easier when you just forget about others. Easier said than done, though, right?
I thought the comparison and feelings of failure would be tougher after having a baby, but luckily, the whole pregnancy/labor/nursing experience has empowered me in a sense. I appreciate my body more now than I used to. So what if I don’t have a 6 pack?!
I’ve heard some strange/demeaning things from fitness instructors. I guess they just use what they think will motivate people. I know the ladies I work with are all about seeing their weight go down and looking thinner, as opposed to being strong and healthy. It’s so frustrating to me!
I agree that there is a certain body type I will never achieve, because I’m just not built that way. Plus, our “fitspiration” is usually people who work in the fitness industry or have ample free time.
“It’s usually people who work in the fitness industry or have ample free time.” I’ve had to remind myself of this fact a lot when I sometimes fall victim to comparing my postpartum body to others’. For some people, it’s literally their job to look good/fit/etc.
“The body you deserve isn’t one that mirrors society’s narrow view of fit. No, the body you deserve is one that enables you to experience life.” <– Literally screamed out YES when I read this. I'm not as thin or toned as I was a few years back, but I'm also not as unhappy or lifeless. And to be completely honest, I'm no longer willing to trade the life I have now for the body I had back then. I exercise because it makes me feel good, and staying in shape is just a nice perk 🙂
Thanks for reading, Amanda. It’s awesome that you’re now in such a great place. I agree. I actually enjoy exercising now that it’s about how I FEEL rather than how I LOOK.
What an encouraging post! Yes, fitness instructors can say things that I have to choose to receive in a way that’s healthy for me (or simply ignore it!). That ‘perfect body’ concept is cruelly unrealistic for many people. This post felt like a breath of fresh air. 🙂
Thank you; I’m glad you can relate! Most of the time I am nodding in agreement with my instructor, but sometimes I just shake my head or laugh – like when my boot camp instructor told us to remember to make an “ugly butt” when squeezing our glutes in squats! 😉
This is so so soooo true! I feel like instructors need to be careful what they say – that would totally rub me the wrong way and make me less motivated to push hard. You totally nailed it when you said that the body we deserve is one that enables you to experience life. I definitely don’t deserve to run a sub-2:30 half marathon – it’s a huge goal of mine that I’m working really hard to reach. Someday my body might be able to reach that goal, but until then you definitely won’t see me moping around about how I “deserve” it. Great post!
Thank you! “Deserve” can be such a weird word. I’ve never run a half, but getting close to your sub-2:30 goal sounds incredible! Hope your training continued to go well and that you enjoy yourself along the way! Hope you reach that goal too. 🙂
So true about the body composition thing! I eat healthy, run a lot, and the day I have a six pack will be UM never! haha maybe if I stopped eating but I’m not about to do that 🙂
Everyone should be proud of what they have because it is what makes us unique and special!
Ha! For me I might get a 2-pack but never a six pack! And you’re absolutely right – we should be proud of what makes us unique! ?