#BODYGOALS

Summer just being round the corner has inspired me to think about those summer bodies and our body goals. What I came to find was that body goals and body comparison go pretty much hand in hand.

My body goals used to be to have someone else’s body. #bodygoals, is all too commonly posted on Instagram. I would look at pictures of other women wanting to look like them, I would also try look for flaws that I could compare to my own in order to make myself feel more normal, if these perfect women had some flaws then at least I must be acceptable.

My workouts became focused around these #bodygoals and #girlgains. Each day I would promise myself I would eat a little less of this and a little more of that. I became obsessed with protein shakes and muscles supplements, I wanted to be one of those women that poses on the beach with a straw in a coconut, a gorgeous year round tan, sported that bikini body and had amazing abs. My body goals were based around conformity, I wanted the body society accepted and that was envied.

What happens when you let go of that thought? When you let go of body comparison and stop wanting to have someone else's body? Freedom! Once I let go of trying to look like the ideal woman I started realising how amazing the body, my body actually is and my goals changed.

I want to be able to do a pull up, just the one, I think being able to lift your own body weight is incredible

I want to be able to do a handstand, being upside down terrifies me

I would love to develop the core strength to hold a forearm stand

I want to wake up feeling fresh and full of energy each day

I want to feel good in MY body

I want to learn to trust my body and to trust my gut instinct

I would like to feel more confident as a swimmer, be braver in the water

I want to have the energy to exploring

I was a strong immune system

I want to learn to snowboard

I wanted to be able to box (master the art of boxing)

These are a few of my specific goal but my main body goal now is just to be happy in who and with who I am. To look in the mirror and love what I see, perceived flaws and all. To listen to what my body needs and to let my hair down from time to time, to live life, feel the sun on my skin, travel and spend time appreciating the world. I no longer want to be cooped up inside my head trying to figure out why I'm broken and trying to change my body.

What are your goals and are they realistic?

Ask yourself these questions:

Why do I workout? Do I enjoy my choice of workout?

Why do I want these goals?

Do I seek external approval?

Do I want people to feel envious of my figure? (this is something I wanted and felt very ashamed to admit at the time)

Do I think if I look a certain way or like a certain person I will finally be happy?

Don't let society, instagram and the media dictate to you how your body should be. Your body goals should be personal to you and based on what makes you feel good. It's important to stop looking to other people as a benchmark, if you judge yourself based on other people you will never really appreciate who you are, the right people will find you beautiful whatever body you were born in so in a society that profits from your self doubt, making your first body goal liking yourself , is the most rebellious act.

As Oscar Wilde said...'Be yourself because everyone else is already taken'