An Alternative to Hating Your Body

I used to think public transportation was just for people who didn’t have a car…

I have a car, but I actually choose to take the bus occasionally!

Call me crazy, but sometimes it’s just more convenient for me – I don’t have to worry about finding parking, or worse yet, get into an accident (that’s my fault!).

Plus, I tend to tense up when I drive – my shoulders start creeping up toward my ears and my hands tighten as I clench the wheel (actually, studies do show that we have more stress and anxiety when we’re behind the wheel).

Not to mention, as a wellness coach, I’m constantly aware of looking for ways to decrease stress (the bad kind).

If you’ve ever taken the public bus or train instead of driving, you’ll notice it’s a completely different experience.

When you’re the one behind the wheel, your main job is to get to your destination safely.

On the other hand, when you’re taking public transportation, since you don’t have to pay attention to the road, you can spend time observing the other people traveling with you.

Recently, there was a woman on the bus with me that made me reflect on the gratitude I have for an able body, even if it’s not exactly how I wish it would look and feel all the time.

Here’s what I observed.

I took my seat on the bus and looked straight across where there was a woman in a wheelchair.

As I observed her, I realized she had no function besides being able to speak and move her head and fingers slightly, just enough to get around in her motorized wheelchair.

Needless to say, when it was her time to get off the bus, she had quite a bit of difficulty.

Buses are small, and the space to move around in them is scarce for an able-bodied person, let alone someone in a wheelchair by themselves.

Nevertheless, she was amazingly able to turn her chair around almost enough to clear the pole near the center of the bus, when her foot got stuck on it.

I ended up helping her get “unstuck.” She thanked me and was on her way.

As I watched her get off the bus, I couldn’t help but reflect on how difficult life must be for her.

The little things I often take for granted, she probably wishes she had – legs and arms that work, having little preparation before leaving home every day, and not having to rely on strangers’ help all the time.

I say these are the “little things,” because to us maybe they are, but to her, I’d bet they’re the “big things.”

I share this with you today because as we continue to work on improving how we look, feel, and perform, I don’t want us to lose sight of the basics: the foundation on which everything else stems.

In order to get more physically fit, we have to be able to move.

In fitness terms, we call this “functional movement” – being able to do the everyday things.

I believe that if we start loving our “functional” bodies enough to be grateful for the ability to bend over and pick something up off the ground, to get in and out of your car without a helping hand, and the simple pleasures like being able to take a walk on the beach and feel our toes in the sand, we’re better able to build a healthier body (inside and out) from there.

The other way of looking at it is to be constantly obsessed with what we “don’t” have – the “right” weight, pant size, arm size, thigh size, butt size – the list goes on…

It’s hard to build a healthy relationship with your body in the long run when the focus is relentlessly on what’s wrong with it and how you need to “fix” it.

On the other hand, if you see your body as having a great foundation to “build on” (AKA an able body), you’re much more likely to be successful in meeting the vision of your healthiest self.

Believe me, when I was a personal trainer I worked with many women in midlife who thought getting to a certain weight or size was going to make her happy, but when she got there, she wasn’t.

This doesn’t have to be you.

So, consider being grateful for an able body #1.

Secondly, when you look in the mirror, begin to practice focusing on what you “do” like, as opposed to what you don’t like.

This will be hard at first, but that’s why I called it “practice.”

Because, listen…

Hating our bodies doesn’t help us improve them; but building on a foundation of love, gratitude, and respect does.

Work on this, and I promise the shift in your perspective will work in your favor.

I understand it’s not easy – we women are quick to find fault in ourselves, but if the intention is there and it’s something you’re willing to practice, it will begin to become easier.

Treat your body with the respect it deserves, because the saying “One (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure” is true for bodies as well!

It’s your turn to take care of you,

P.S. I recently watched an inspiring short (11 minutes) documentary on Netflix called “Zion” about a young man born with no legs. It’s worth the watch. Leave inspired!

Need Some Help?

Book a time to talk with me here.