Having chitchatted with other women and observing post-partum trainers as well as athletes, I noticed this thought comes across so much – that ‘I’m training to get back my old body’ or ‘I’m training to be like how my body looked like 20 years ago’. I love looking out for post-partum examples as me myself am terrified of the bodily changes that could happen to me after childbirth if I got pregnant someday.
I had similar thoughts before, but maybe not so much, as I had been at the heavier scale and blessed with big strong builds since forever. Having been criticised on how huge I was, while having no time to exercise (years back before I know the science of fitness), I often resorted to quick fixes – short period of intense exercises, got lighter, stopped working out and gained back what I’ve lost. It’s basically years of yo-yo weight loss for me. I was clinging to the expectation that I could reduce my weight to my range in my 20s.
Our body is a dynamic system. Our circumstances years back are different than what we are now. We are consistently changing from what our body experiences – hormonal change, trauma from childbirth, muscular growths, life stressors, foods we eat and a lot more. The society’s obsession with small and lithe figure as the benchmark for a woman to be considered attractive too doesn’t help women to view themselves positively. Look at it like how our brain learns and process experiences. Our maturity and experiences cannot be the same like it was 20 years ago (unless you are stuck in fixed mindset and resist growing up ). So it’s the same with our body system.
Once I embrace my body’s journey and keep training to be the healthiest version of myself physically and mentally, and on what I could be right now – not based on previous ideals, or comparing with others, I am able to build and maintain my physique for years. Though there were setbacks, life happens, but I’m able to bounce up and be better. What I’m trying to say here is to reframe what fitness and exercise means to you. Are you working out because of shame, is it because of fear, or is it because of the love and care you have for yourself. I invite you to deeply think about it to be more intentional about your approach in fitness.