Too often we see people in magazines, on TV or in our everyday lives and start to compare ourselves to them. We follow Jennifer Anistons’ diet and fitness regime hoping to get her lean sculpted legs. We workout 6 days a week for endless amounts because the woman on the treadmill next to us is there all the time and we figure that is what needs to be done to look like her.
Many times I have been asked by class participants “how do you get those arms?” The exercise and weight training I do regularly enhances my muscle tone and overall appearance of my arms but the truth is my arms look exactly like my brothers and always have. They are toned, lean and veiny – so are his. My mother, my sisters, myself and now my daughter are all short women.We are lean on the top and tend to hold our weight on the bottom. We lose and gain weight first in our legs, thighs and hips. That is our family genetics and there is nothing we can do to change that. Wishing for Gweneth Paltrow’s body or legs like Jennifer Anniston is not going to happen for me any more than wishing for a 5’ 5” tall frame. I am who I am, you are who you are and they are who they are. While there are steps you can take to get a leaner more toned body you can’t compare yourself to someone else and strive to look like them. Your body is YOUR body and no one else has the genetic make-up you have. Instead of comparing yourself to others embrace the body you have and focus on how to train to make YOUR body the best it can be.
~Nancy Gildersleeve