1. Listen to pain cues 🤕
Feel a niggle? Got a headache? Don’t ignore it. Your body is telling you something.
2. Listen to hunger cues 🥑
Are you so busy you forget to eat? Are you skipping meals then feeling light headed or sick? Then it’s time to start listening to your body asking for fuel to keep going.
3. Look at your body in the mirror 🪞
Don’t hide away from mirrors. Don’t be afraid to be nude (in the privacy of your own home or nude beach I guess lols) This will allow you to SEE your body and be reminded how incredible it is and that it needs your love and care.
4. Observe and take note while exercising 👟
Don’t just go through the motions. Connect your mind to the movement and you’ll get so much more out of it.
5. Manual Therapy 💆🏻♀️
Book in for a massage or facial. Physical touch is so important and a great way to re-connect to our bodies. Being connected to your body and comfortable in your skin is a nuanced topic.
I often come back to this topic internally because it's a major reason I do what I do and I'm so passionate and still in the fitness industry.
Helping people feel comfortable in their skin is not some fickle or self indulgent mission. I do however acknowledge it is a privilege that many don't even have the time to start addressing for one reason or another. e.g. financial, time poor, accessibility etc.
I think it's a fundamental desire for everyone to feel comfortable, confident and reconciled back to their bodies. More than a desire I think that everyone deserves to be at peace within themselves. It's even more important when people hold shame within their bodies and are disconnected to their bodies to avoid past negative traumas.
It's incredibly deep the psychological connection we have between our minds and our bodies and it should never be overlooked when beginning a new healthy regime.
I think it's important to address these things in relation to 'feeling good in our skin'
We can care for our bodies while not idolising our bodies or becoming too obsessed with our appearance but there should be NO shame for doing so. It is not selfish, or only reserved for the privileged few to take care of our health and bodies.
Its ok to want to be at a healthy weight for you - being overweight will be uncomfortable on your joints and make exercise and movement harder in general. While I'm all for body positivity, at any weight I also want to help people if they want to shed some kgs for whatever reason. Our worth doesn't change with our weight. Our worth is always based upon so much more.
A lot of time people come to me wanting to be comfortable wearing clothes you can feel good in during summer. That's ok! You should feel comfortable when it's hot to wear what makes sense and not feel ashamed or have to cover up.
Conversely, if you prefer to dress modestly it doesn't mean you're not comfortable or confident.
Conversely to that, if you feel confident and comfortable in minimal clothing that's ok too! Especially when the minimal clothing contextually makes sense e.g. Hot days, Swimming, Intense workouts.
We should have a connection and awareness of our body. THIS is what makes my heart break. When people have neglected their bodies for YEARS and they are in pain and discomfort and completely lost as to where to start.
It's important to address the psychological reasons why you may be disconnected or carry feelings of hatred or shame to your body. These will directly affect your ability to connect or care for your body. We have to get to the root issues and work through them. Yes it's hard, but so are the consequences of avoidance and neglect.
Feeling confident and good in your skin is possible but it is a journey that takes time and one I don't regret taking to heal.
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