Hey there. For as long as I can remember, there have been “body standards” that everyone was told to chase. When I was younger, I didn’t think much about where those standards came from. I just knew they were everywhere. On TV, in magazines, in commercials. Big shoulders, defined arms, a v-shape, tree trunk legs and a six pack were coming through loud and clear. Now, the standards of the day for men, women, everyone are all over social media. But here’s the thing. These “ideals” aren’t some natural truth about what’s beautiful. Most of them started in a marketing meeting. A team of people decided that a certain look would sell a product, show, or brand, and then that look got pushed out into the world until it became “the standard.”
The problem is, these standards change constantly. One season it’s one look, the next season it’s something else. Social media has sped this up even more with fast fashion and viral trends. The reality is, no one can keep up. Even if you wanted to, you’d be chasing something that’s always shifting. And underneath all of it is the same toxic message…who you are right now isn’t enough.
I’m here to tell you that’s not true. You are your own body standard. Take a moment to really look at yourself in the mirror from head to toe. Notice the details. Appreciate what you see. Your body has carried you through every single day of your life. It has gotten you here. And even if you stood in a row with people who had the same height and weight as you, every body would look different. We are all proportioned differently, and that is something to celebrate.
The most important part is appreciating not just your body, but the person living inside of it. You have made it through every challenge, every change, every moment in your life so far. You are worthy of respect and appreciation right now, not only when you hit a goal or fit into a certain size.
This is part of what I call living an inside/out life. It’s about connecting with yourself, feeling empowered, and taking ownership of your journey. Yes, this applies to fitness and health, but it also carries into every area of your life. When you stop chasing an image that was created in a boardroom and start building confidence from within, everything changes.
My hope is that you start marketing a new standard to yourself — one of self-acceptance and self-appreciation. Because the truth is, life is a lot more enjoyable when you’re not constantly measuring yourself against someone else’s blueprint.
If you’re ready to start building that confidence from the inside/out, I’d love to help you. You can join one of my YLF programs here and start creating your own body standard today.