If You BUILD it.....

I look at that photo and read that quote, and all I can say is FUCK YES! Actually that's not ALL I can say. I have many things to say (surprise, surprise).  This is one of my favorite parts of introducing women to strength training.  Many women, (myself included) spend most of their adult lives attempting to take up less space.  We are constantly trying to weigh less, fit in to smaller clothing, to burn off unwanted parts of ourselves, all for the sake of getting noticed more.  We squeeze our flab and pull our sagging skin taught.  We cry in the dressing room and we bully ourselves into thinking we're not enough.  

I'm shocked and saddened that new/prospective clients continue to worry about getting too big or too muscled if they pick up strength training.  I'm probably supposed to say that every woman has a right to pursue whatever physicality they choose, but I really just want them all to choose strength.   

Since I've started lifting weights I've been able to focus less on what I'm not and more on what I've built.  I'm proud of my legs, glutes, back and shoulders just as Lindsey is proud of her arms.  She used to hide them, fearing summer and wearing tank tops, now she's happily standing on a beach showing off her hard work.  

Sure, dropping body fat can have a positive impact on one's life, but there are many ways to get there.  If you've been trying to lose weight for years, even decades, maybe it's time to take a break from the goal of losing and focus on the goal of building.  Put your effort in to getting stronger.  Fuel your body and pursue recovery to support that goal.  The first time someone notices the curve of your tricep, or you see your quad muscle pop in a photo will be a revelation. Yes, we'll always have aspects of ourselves we critique, but wouldn't it be nice to also have something to admire?

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