How I Changed My Physique

Now let me start off by saying that this is in no way about to be a body shaming or belittling post. The me I was in both pictures is equally as beautiful and deserving of love and respect.

Often the body reflects the mind and it’s environment. Last year I went through one of the roughest times in my life and my body reflected that, I wasn’t practicing good habits and I also just had a lot of bad stuff going on to deal with. However, that body is also the body that got me through that period of my life and for that I am forever grateful, that version of myself was filled with so much strength and resilience and I owe her everything I have today.

So, now that that’s out of the way, here goes the advice.

1. Stop restricting yourself: Crazy ik but I eat so much more now then I did then, I used to have the mindset that there was certain foods I could or could not have and that less was more. However this is totally the wrong way to look at it. Just try to prioritize a decent protein intake (i got like 0 before) and eat “junk” food in moderation, but don’t cut it out. Let yourself have fun and go out with friends and don’t feel like your body needs to apologize for it. You can also make swaps in your day to day diet for things higher in protein or that have more nutritional value like fibers and whole grains (fiber is a must for protein to even make a difference tbh).

2. Make sure to move ur body: this doesn’t mean tons of exhausting exercise, but just consistent efforts that your mental and physical health will thank u for. I try to get in at least 10,000 steps a day and it rlly does do wonders.

3. Incorporate weights in your workouts at least 3 times a week: I’m not talking anything crazy, hard, or heavy. Start gradually and build your strength by adding weights into different exercises or substituting a part of your workout with lifting. Make sure that you cycle through muscle groups (arms, legs, glutes, back etc)

4. Don’t fight your natural body: I was always so insecure about having more of a pear shaped figure and would try to eat less and do excessive cardio to slim my legs, particularly my thighs. However, this just isn’t natural for me to have that build so instead now I lift for my quads, glutes, and calves to have the biggest and strongest legs possible!

5. Drink less: Ik ik i don’t want to be the party police, but it rlly is true drinking in more moderation has helped me cut out lots of (not to use some toxic diet culture talk but) “liquid calories”. I do not mean that in the sense of fun coffees and milkshakes because I am a fun drink connoisseur. I mean that in the terms of shots of liquor and drinks like beer being high in calorie with literally zero nutritional value, they also have inflammatory properties. Since cutting back on drinking my bloating has gotten so much better!

In essence, focus on being your optimal version of you! Not smaller, not different, not a specific shape or size, just be your natural self. With that in mind I can’t say that I can give any advice to have my exact physique because it’s lots of genetics and the privilege I have of being able to afford a more “organic” diet and having leisure time for exercise. So just remember that comparison is the thief of joy! These tips are to be the best version of YOU not your best imitation of me or anyone else :)

With love,

Maddy

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