Get Summer Body Ready?

This is an unusual post for me because it's more of a rant than useful advice you can implement but please, stay with me...

It's that time of year when I start seeing other people in the fitness industry advertising with the whole "Summer Body" thing. The problem is: if your body differs at all from what the current aesthetic fashion is there's a good chance that this will trigger negative feelings for you; it's as though your body isn't good enough as it is. That you have to follow a strict diet and live in the gym in order to gain an 'acceptable' summer body. For me this is extremely problematic. It's making people feel shame about themselves in order to sell something and often exacerbates a disordered view of food and exercise, which appears to be endemic in our society. Just look at the very common view that 'carbs are bad!' - check out my blog on carbs where I explain just how untrue this is. BUT... If you have a body and it is summer... you already HAVE a SUMMER BODY!! You are perfectly acceptable and valuable just as you are. There may be things you'd like to change. This is totally ok. In fact it's the same as pretty much every other person.

The summer can act as a great motivator though, as the day's are longer and the weather's nicer, it can be more enticing to get outside and exercise. I find it's also easier to make optimal nutrition choices when the weather's warm - although nothing beats a glass of rosé in the sun 😬😂!

Plus there are many reasons for wanting to start a fitness journey:

• Being able to live life to the full

• Health or disease prevention

• An event you're training for

• Postnatal recovery

• To live longer!

To name just a few. However, trying to achieve an aesthetic imposed you by someone else, should never be your why 💖.

Do it for YOU.

I hope this reassures even just one person that you are enough as you are.

On another note: the picture is me at the end of a waterski set, coming into the dock. This is something I love to do in the summer (preferably just in my bikini and no wetsuit). I couldn't find any satisfactory summer pictures as they mostly involve the girls so you have this instead 🙂. If you've never done it, I HIGHLY recommend giving it a go! It's great fun and an astonishing workout. I can also recommend a great place to go 😉.

C xx

If you'd like to start feeling great and have my support and guidance on your fitness journey, drop me an email: claire@clairepaynefitness.com and we'll have a casual, no-obligation chat.