Love Who You Are & Where You Are Now

So, let me just start by saying we are SUPPOSED to have some fat on our bodies.

The essential body fat percentages (meaning you won’t die) are 3–5% for men and 8–12% for women. 

To be considered fit, men will have 14-17% body fat and women will have 21-24%. Anything over 25% for men and 32% for women is considered obese. (ACE Fitness)

I think the first, and second, thing we (women especially) have to realize about our mid-sections is that..

1️⃣ we are all built different

2️⃣ chances are, unless we are professional bodybuilders and/or eat a ridiculously clean diet (or don’t eat enough, which is a whole other issue), we may have a little extra cushion in our bellies or sides or booty – and that is a beautiful thing!

There is an amazing movement going on in the online fitness community that focuses on accepting who we are and loving our bodies for where they are now. 

And it is AWESOME. EMPOWERING. AND LONG OVERDUE.

We don’t have to workout seven days a week to prove that we are dedicated. We don’t have to run marathons to be considered a runner. We don’t have to have a six pack to be called fit.

We don’t have to (and probably never will) look like a movie star.  We don’t have to have a “bikini body” by summer. And we don’t have to get rid of our love handles!

We have to find exercises that we enjoy, or at least can tolerate, and make working out work for US.

It’s that simple.

While this whole “love your body” movement is taking the internet by storm, it by no means should allow individuals to accept an unhealthy lifestyle or body!!

I think loving your body not only means accepting it, but taking care of it! ??

Strengthening the abdominal muscles, especially the obliques in order to hone in on those love handles, is part of an overall approach to a healthy and happy mid-section.

Let’s be honest, we feel better when we fit into our jeans and don’t have a muffin top hanging out – I mean, aside from maybe not looking very appealing, tight jeans are just plain uncomfortable!

Let’s give a virtual high five to the women in the fitness industry (and YOU!) who aren’t afraid to give a big “screw you” to stereotypes, and who love their bodies as they are!