Hey there. Every body is unique…every single one. While we all share certain physical traits, it’s the little differences, the so-called "wrinkles," that make us who we are. Ironically, these are often the very things we fixate on and critique the most. If you’ve spent any time in the fitness and weight loss space, chances are you’ve scrutinized your body to the point of exhaustion, tearing yourself down over perceived imperfections.
This kind of self-criticism can become a habit, but here’s the good news: we have the power to shift our perspective. How we see ourselves is a choice. Negative thoughts may never completely disappear, but we can minimize their impact.
Yesterday, I had to put this into practice. I’ve been talking about the new Your Level Fitness Under Armour shirts, which I love. Some fit loosely, others are form-fitting—and let’s be real, that can stir up insecurities. When I took a photo of myself in a light gray tee, my stomach looked more pronounced than I expected. That familiar wave of insecurity hit me hard. I could’ve spiraled into self-criticism, but I made a conscious effort to reframe the moment. Instead of tearing myself down, I chose to pour love into what I saw.
For years, food has been a coping mechanism for me. I don’t feel guilty about it, but I do acknowledge it. There have been ups and downs. Injuries, setbacks, and fluctuations in weight but through it all, I’ve kept showing up. That’s what matters. Yesterday, I reminded myself of that. And today, as I put on a fitted UA training sweatshirt, I felt appreciation for my body and the effort I’ve put in.
We all have mental scripts that can pull us back into self-doubt, but we also have the power to rewrite them. Even if you catch yourself after listing a dozen negative thoughts, stopping and choosing kindness is a win. If you've never taken a moment to acknowledge your body with gratitude and you start today, that’s progress.
Body image is deeply personal, and men experience these struggles just as much as women. We tie our self-worth to our appearance in ways we don’t always talk about. But we need to. The more open and honest conversations we have, the more we normalize self-acceptance.
Your body is unique, and that’s where its beauty lies. Instead of critiquing what makes you different, start appreciating it. And if you’re ready to dive deeper into this inside-out approach to fitness and self-acceptance, join The YLF Experience today: Sign up here.