Michelle Marie Health & Wellness

2017 – new year, new you!

I hope everyone’s new year is off to a great start. This time of year can be so motivating for lots of people. New Year’s resolutions are under way, many of which involve wanting to improve health and wellness habits. I am 100% on board but want to kick off this year with a post to help you rethink your resolutions. I hope this post brings some positive thoughts and helps you shift your mindset as you take on your fitness and wellness goals this year.

a key takeaway before we start – do not be too hard on yourself, do the best you can, celebrate small successes and always love yourself.

okay now lets get into it…

Whether you are looking to lose weight, gain weight, or get more toned – most women struggle with body image…

Some of you might not realize this, but it is basically unavoidable in the society we live in these days.

Our phones, computers and TVs are inundated with unrealistic expectations, but that’s not the only source of your self-criticism. So many girls and women are talking about their bodies – all the time! Women talk about the way they want to look whether its big changes or small OR they are talking about the food they should or shouldn’t eat. I swear if you make a point to listen around you, you will be shocked at how often these types of conversations are occurring!

Okay so let me pause and add some real talk for a minute –

I vividly remember being a senior in high school when a girl sitting next to me in class started talking about how her thighs were touching and how she wished they didn’t. This was the exact moment in my life I really started to become aware of my body image. Not once before this comment had I ever thought about it or critiqued it for that matter. But after that moment everything changed…

I suffered from body image anxiety which led to restrictive eating and a lot of stress and emphasis placed on food. This lifestyle occurred on and off during and after my college years. It started with wanting to lose a little of my freshman fifteen and quickly turned into an obsession. Without even realizing my life spiraled in a direction I did not want it to. I constantly thought about everything I ate, how many miles I was going to run each day, and whether or not I should go out to eat with my friends because of course that would mean more food and drinks (aka calories)..

Thankfully since then, I have come a long way and my body has changed into something much healthier. Now my body is capable of doing SO much more. Now I have the stamina to run 10 miles, do sled pushes, and simply have enough energy to get through a day; all things that were not possible in those cloudy days.

So how do we change this environment?

We need to change the way we talk out loud and the things we share; especially on social media. Women should be talking about the powerful things their bodies are capable of, the amazing milestones they experience in their careers, and the priceless connections they make from networking and branding themselves. Enough with the daily ab photos in my Instagram feed and bring on the group photos at spin class and laughter with friends over coffee.

If you are interested in learning more about shifting your body image mindset, setting realistic health goals, and feeling overall healthier & happier, contact me!