The Big Lie...

I’m going to reveal a lie that we’ve all fallen for… We have been taught that our bodies are ultimately malleable and we can be any weight and shape we want if only we have enough will-power and dedication. What follows is that we must be lacking in discipline and will-power if we are anything but that idealized female form. Continuing down that path of deception…if we hold the above to be true then we end up feeling horrible about ourselves and our obvious lack of internal fortitude. We also feel shame that this flaw is demonstrated for all to see in the form of a few extra pounds, cellulite or just plain taking up too much space in this world. I believe that this deception is the cornerstone of eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction.

Women all over the place are going through extreme measures in pursuit of this elusive and idealized body. If this is your genetic birthright then you will attain and maintain that image relatively easily. However, most of us (greater than 97%) are not genetically programmed to have single digit body fat percentage, no abdominal fat, no cellulite, straight hips, defined muscles that can be seen subtly through the skin and large, perky breasts. In fact, “large and perky” when referring to breasts is gravitationally impossible.

So…once this lie is revealed most women feel at a loss in how to proceed… like a sailor of old who lost the North Star and falters in his navigation. If we are not striving for perfection or the ideal how do we know when our bodies are acceptable and ok?

Here is what I have said countless times to women…if you are living a healthy lifestyle in terms of your relationship with food and activity level then your body weight and body composition (muscle to fat ratio) will balance out where it was intended and this is healthy for you. (In future postings I’ll elaborate more on what a healthy relationship to food and activity looks like)

You may or may not look like the ideal. There may be parts of you that resemble the ideal and other parts that fall short. This is normal, human and real. To expect that all women should look exactly the same is unrealistic…we come in all shapes, sizes and squishiness levels! Let’s celebrate our variation and start fighting the influence of the “big lie” that has been clouding our vision and binding our potential.

Your assignment: Take a moment and ponder this “big lie” concept. Then think about, or better yet, write down to what extent you have fallen for this lie and what your true and realistic body potential is when we take the lie out of the equation.