Body Goals: Treasure Don’t Trash Talk

We see it all the time online; gym selfies, progress pictures, #EatCleanTrainDirty, and other ridiculous social fitness trends. I admit I am guilty of partaking in almost all of these. I am addicted to my Fit-Bit, I follow several fitness accounts on Twitter for exercise tips and healthy food ideas to keep me motivated. I often post about fitness because I haven’t always taken good care of my body, and I know I need to treat it better. So I encourage people to post about going to the gym or their healthy meals because while other people may not care, I love seeing my friends and family treating their bodies right! But there is a new trend on fitness social media that seriously drives me up a wall. And it’s called ‘Body Goals.’

If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘Body Goals’ in basically uses a picture of some random person’s body and says their body is the epitome of bodies. Or that you would love if your body looked like their body.

Don’t get me wrong, all of these women look amazing and you can tell they really take care of their bodies. My issue is that I will never look like any of them. I won’t ever look like a Victoria’s Secret Model, or any of these women no matter how hard I try. I am 5'2' so I will never have their long torsos or legs, I am bustier than any of them, and I lost my thigh gap long ago. But that’s okay! Why would I purposefully give myself an unrealistic goal? Especially when it comes to my body? So many women are unhappy with their bodies, and become discouraged when they are unable to achieve the results of looking like the women above.

Many companies such as Dove have started using ‘plus size models’ while Aerie has stopped ‘photo-shopping’ their models. If companies have started working on being inclusive of different body types, why can’t we? How hard could it be to stop comparing ourselves to others and attempt to be happy with ourselves? It’s harder than it seems. I occasionally find myself comparing my body to others. It is hard to realize that comparing yourself to others won’t encourage you, it will only take away what is special about you.

So I challenge you, if you have found yourself using the term ‘body goals’ or comparing yourself to someone else; STOP! Instead, focus on being the healthiest version on yourself! Yes work out a few times a week, cut back on fast food, and take care of yourself. Not in an attempt to look like the women above, but to live the happiest/ healthiest life you can. You have one life and one body. Treasure it, don’t trash talk it.

This is a call to arms. A call to be gentle, to be forgiving, to be generous with yourself. The next time you look into the mirror, try to let go of the story line that says you’re too fat or too sallow, too ashy or too old, your eyes are too small or your nose too big; just look into the mirror and see your face. When the criticism drops away, what you will see then is just you, without judgment, and that is the first step toward transforming your experience of the world.” 
― Oprah Winfrey