My sense of self got lost on Instagram

Have you ever found yourself getting sucked in to social media, especially Instagram only to find yourself depressed, possibly horny, and feel violated because its like soft porn?  Social media is a great platform to promote and create but the images over time may be more harmful than good. 

As a trainer, coach, and yoga instructor, the body is my platform and image is everything.  Body distortion or body dismorphic disorder is everywhere.  The best of the models, fitness elites and coaches have a predisposition to their own body distortion.  There is only one way to go when you are a model of fitness and beauty…be perfect.  Well here is what perfect looks like inside:

• ·      Perfectionism isn’t about striving for excellence, it is a defense move so we don’t have to express feelings
• ·      Feel like you have to earn approval and self worth
• ·      Correlated to depression, anxiety, addiction and not doing things in life because you have fear you won’t be perfect
• ·      May cause judgment, comparison, shame
• ·      Distorts reality of self and others
• ·      “All this virtual reality is virtually shit” Momma G

Each one of us is supposed to be a prototype of you, not Kim Kardashian or Paige Hathaway.  We are supposed to be a magnificent machine housing our soul that offers love, compassion and a powerful self.  Our bodies are designed to functionally move with stability, strength, and flexibility pushing self beyond small challenges that condition the beauty you already have.  Exercise increases self-esteem and positive self-awareness.  However, if you are trying to be someone else, there is no one that is going to be you. Love your body, love yourself and all else will fall into place.

The whole thing about fitness and looking a desired way is LIFESTYLE.  When you practice certain behaviors daily, weekly, yearly you will produce the desired outcome.  Here are some tips to guide you along the MOVE lifestyle path:

Journal your feelings keeping it real without judgment

Be part of a gym, yoga studio, or other fitness that engages in group fitness

Meditate

Surround yourself with people who share your same core values

Eat clean foods and avoid processed

Supplement meals with smoothies to beat the heat and fill you up

Drink lots of water (almost a gallon a day!)

MOVE Monday's Reverse Plank

Why strength training for women?

Builds muscle

Burns fat because muscle is more metabolically active that fat

More muscle = more calories burned

Creates more tone by filling in the loose skin with muscle

Increases bone density

Its fun and feels good which releases: oxcytocin, endorphins, testosterone

Gives power and confidence

Prevents osteoporosis

More blood and oxygen to the muscles, organs and heart

Sweat releases toxins created beautiful skin and youthfulness

simply holding these movements for 1 minutes also gives you the benefits of weight       

  bearing to build muscles and bone density

Give yourself the gift of strength to lift your babies, your everyday activities that involve lifting, pushing, pulling, and radiating vitality with those you share life with.

Mantra “I give myself the power and strength in my body to overcome my mind when I feel weak, depressed, or moody.  Together, my mind and body are a perfect team to provide me strength to conquer the day and my life.”

 

 Reverse Plank:

1. feet and knee's hip distance apart

2. hands under shoulders, push down to press up

3. press hips up as you squeeze glutes and back of legs

4. level hips with shoulders

1. reach opposite arm to opposite foot

2. switch sides reaching as high as you can to touch foot while maintaining leg strength and arm strength for stability

3. perform 20 reps

1.  extend the leg aiming for foot over hip

2. press single foot down and arms to lift torso and leg high

3. hold the position for 10 sec

4. progress to lift and lower top leg while maintaining reverse plank

1. raise single leg as high as you can while maintaining stability in hips and shoulders

2. don't let the opposite hip sink while alternating sides