Skinny is out. Healthy is in.

I have to admit...I think about it. A majority of my clients think about it. Maybe you think about it? "I want to lose weight" aka "I want to be skinnier." And the sad thing is most of the women I have worked with over the years have not been overweight. They are usually women who with age or motherhood or a little too much partying have put on a few extra pounds. Nothing too serious, and nothing life threatening. I hear time and time again that someone doesn't want their thighs to touch or thinks their arms look fat. Believe me, I'm guilty of it too! I have been known to pinch the skin next to my triceps and shake my head in shame. It's awful! It has been a long journey for me. I needed to let go of that kind of negative thinking. I am constantly trying to reframe my thoughts, and I encourage others to do the same. Weight should not be the focus. Lifestyle should be the focus. Strength should be the focus. Endurance, self-worth, and longevity should be the focus.

I've said it before...Being skinny does not equal being beautiful, and I want to live that truth for myself, my daughters, and my clients. What would I be teaching my daughters if they heard me use words like fat and chubby while looking in the mirror? How would a client feel if I shamed my body in front of them? I exercise and eat right. Could I do better? Sometimes, but the last few years of my life have been the healthiest years I have ever lived. Any you know what? I have not been my skinniest. My skinniest self was always "hangery," skipping breakfast and lunch, drinking red bull and coffee, and occasionally binging and purging. My self-esteem was low and my body was suffering. It was not pretty.

So instead of asking yourself "how much weight do I need to lose?" Ask yourself these questions…

What kind of exercise do I enjoy?

How can I fit exercise into my daily life?

What foods should I be eating?

What foods should I not be eating?

What obstacles are in the way of my making healthy choices?

How can I overcome those obstacles?

Once you have a clear picture of what your healthy lifestyle looks like, then you can execute. Find a workout buddy. Schedule workouts in advance. Plan ahead for healthy meals. Hire a trainer. Do whatever it takes to exercise and eat right. If you are making good choices consistently (consistency is an important part of this) the extra pounds will melt away without you even realizing it. You will be living in your healthiest body. And just a warning….It may not necessarily be your skinniest body, but it will be your strongest, leanest, and sexiest!

**Special note to those who are naturally thin... If that is your healthiest self, then rock on with your skinny bod!! You are one of the lucky ones that can wear just about anything and look amazing. ;)