Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Why I Love My Cellulite
So. Over the past few months I’ve been making somewhat of an effort to eat a little less butter and donuts in order to get a little more summer ready.
And it’s been a success. Every year I tend to gain 5 or so pounds in the winter, and then shed it in the spring. I’m leaner than I was at Christmas, but I was still enjoying much of my favorite foods in the process. And while I may be leaner, I still have cellulite on the back of my legs. But here’s the thing: I’m totally OK with that.
Scratch that – I’m more than ok with it. I prefer it!
It hasn’t always been that way. I used to catch a glimpse of my legs in the mirror and say some pretty awful things to myself. Now look – I’m not saying I think I’m fat or anything, but we all have or have had body insecurities, and mine happened to be my thunder thighs. Granted, weight lifting has done crazy incredible things for the physique of my legs, but they’re still my legs. And now, what they represent far outweighs any resentment toward them.
Because I’ve gotten so lean that it begins to disappear (it’ll never completely disappear – it’s just part of my DNA) and while I may lose my cellulite, do you know what else I lose?
My period.
Alongside with that, I lose my boobs, my upper body looks a little too lean, and I get low blood sugar. And to me, that trade is 120% NOT worth it.
I just turned 30 years old, and when and if my husband and I have kids, I want my body to be in good reproductive health. Do you know what’s needed for good reproductive health? Body fat. And if for me, that means having a few dimples on the backs of my legs, I’m A-OK with that.
It’s easy to get caught up in achieving the perfect physique, especially if you’re making great progress as is. But I implore you to put aesthetics second to health in your fitness and nutrition efforts.
I get it – I really do. Scrolling along instagram, you likely see pictures of bodies that look insanely lean, muscular, and who appear not to have a flaw on them. But if I were get that lean, I’d be miserable. Unhealthy. With a hormone system that would flat out shut down on me. And besides, I’m all right with a little junk in the trunk.
Look, I’m not saying every shredded woman on instagram is unhealthy. As I’ve said before, we all have different versions of what’s healthy for US. But Instagram and Facebook are not real life, and that person very likely:
a) took that picture in very flattering light
b) doesn’t put their flaws on display
c) are twisted into contorted poses to make them look more lean/flattering
I’m not bashing these people. Heck, I’m guilty of it sometimes! I naturally carry less weight around my mid-section, and more weight around my butt and thighs. When I work out and get hot, I tend to shed layers that showcase my abs much more than I do teeny tiny short shorts. But – I’m working to change that in an effort to be more real, transparent, and to fully get over my own insecurities. I work on it daily!
Actually, writing that out reminds me of a series of exercise demos I filmed in the gym. When I got home, I was initially horrified at how badly the lighting showed every dimple and bump. Granted, this was taken on January 2nd, when I’m typically my heaviest weight during the year, but still. Anyway, I just realized that I still haven’t shown the video – which showcases some pretty damn good exercises if I do say so myself – until now…
The last one – the assisted glute ham raise? Is a much safer alternative than ballistically pushing yourself off of a BOSU ball. But anyway, I digress. I also remember putting effort into showing only the most flattering clips! *Sigh*…what a waste of energy – right? And this is coming from someone who has a really good body image!
While it’s absolutely fine to showcase what you’re proud of and work with what you’ve got, I’m a big proponent of owning your own body and having confidence whatever your shape. We’re all different shapes and sizes, and for some people to have a six pack, they would have to get to a dangerously low body fat. Some people are more slender through the hips. Some through the waste. Work with what you’ve got. You don’t have to have a specific shape to be IN shape.
[Tweet “You don’t have to have a specific shape to be IN shape. via @trainerpaige”]
And please – I know I’m not some special snowflake. Nearly every single woman out there has cellulite. But for some reason we all do everything we can to conceal it – or whatever our “trouble zone” is. But back to my point – if carrying a little extra weight in my hips and thighs means having a strong, healthy, fully functioning hormone system, then for me, I welcome that.
[Tweet “Why I Love My Cellulite – via @TrainerPaige #fitfluential”]
What body part are you most insecure about? Do you tend to hide that and showcase other body parts? (again, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with this! I’m just opening up the dialogue. xoxo)
Ahh yes the natural part is so key!! My legs always look toned and defined they are just lean…but I have no ass and I carry all my weight in my mid-section. So the second I go up a pound or two I really do notice it. But yes I also feel like each year that I get older I’m so freaking proud of my body that I spend less time worrying about how it looks…thought don’t get me wrong, the second my abs ever look like yours I’m posting a sports bra pic haa!!!
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Awesome post! I agree and have learned the hard way what over exercising and trying to be too lean can do to the body. I’ve had a slew of fertility issues, miscarriages, and hormone struggle from years of trying to look like many of those “perfect” pictures we constantly see. It’s not real nor is it healthy!
No way! If you’re healthy and happy and in shape, you should be proud of your body! We are all going to look different and that is how it’s supposed to be! I love my body!
Great post. Although, just from looking at you… I think your body is perfect! I can’t imagine you haven’t much cellulite for how fit you are. I guess it just goes to show that how we view others is different than how we view ourselves. <3 You look great!
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Thank you for writing this post! By the way, I think you look great!
I’ve always been lean, but carry any my weight on my hips and thighs. A few years back I was too stressed out, overtraining with triathlon, injured a hip flexor pretty bad, developed adrenal fatigue, stopped lifting weights, lost a fair bit of both muscle and fat, and lost my period.
I’ve put some weight back on, but with it comes cellulite. I’m told I might need to gain more. Still waiting for the period to return. Thank you for being so honest and open!!! It’s scary what can happen when trying to fit into an image, and more woman should have your view!
LOL “I’m not some special snowflake.” I heart you…. and miss you + dat bootay!
Marissa @Barefoot Colorado recently posted…Title Nine Fit Fest: GIVEAWAY
Haha me tooo! I was actually going to suggest we run together this morning…but then it’s like this outside. Boo.
I applaud you for this post! Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your thoughts with us on this topic. We’ve ALL been there, and I’m sure can relate in some way, shape, or form. I couldn’t agree more with you on your feelings regarding choosing health vs. vanity. Thanks for being a great example to other women! xo
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Food, Clothes, Jewelry, & Other Faves
I don’t see ANY junk in your trunk! You look healthy and beautiful.
It’s funny, but I was super fit in my 20’s from sports, but liked my body way better when I hit my 30’s and actually got some curves! My weight didn’t really change, but somehow my proportions shifted. Now I’m entering the next decade (yikes!) and trying to fight that saggy butt that runs in my family 🙂 Small and flat, that’s the part I don’t like!
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As others said, I think you look great! You should feel proud of yourself for getting comfortable in your skin to write a post like this. Body image is a tough issue and so many women of all ages struggle with it. i used to specialize in eating disorder nutrition counseling and I would love to see more women get comfortable in their skin like you. And I totally agree with Alisa – I got more comfy in my body as I am getting older!
Such a great post, Paige! I obviously think you look amazing, but love that you’re talking about embracing your “imperfections” and learning to really love them. It’s so hard for people (women especially) to really be okay with their bodies and feel happy in their own skin. It’s something I’m always working on and hopefully one day I’ll actually be there 🙂
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Trust me, I (and I’m sure anyone else) wouldn’t have thought twice about the video you hesitated in posting. You look so strong!
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So true! I STILL struggle with this! I spent all of my 20’s fighting AGAINST my body. I have heard that your 30’s is the decade for acceptance; I am still working on that!
I think you’re body is perfect Paige!
I love the honesty and vulnerability in this post. I think a lot of women (and men) think these things but aren’t willing to talk about them.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…Fun Facts Friday
ahh i love you. i love your legs, your heart, your vulnerability. Thank you for this. I’m sharing. I have a flat ass that i am working on. No one sees that on IG. bah! because i share mostly food.. 😉
ILOVEYOU!!
This is great and SO true!!!! I just again ran into this today. Mine is my legs..very similar to you. I have bigger (whatever that means…I am sure I would say that and some would think I had lost my mind) thighs. I just ran a 5k race where I broke 20 for the first time and got 1st female. My husband was there and took pictures and my initial reaction to some of them was something I am not wish wasn’t. At first I was criticizing how my legs looked in most of them, but you know those legs ran a fast 3.1 miles. They have run half marathons and full marathons. I am healthy and work hard at my running so I should have nothing to be embarrassed about. 🙂
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When I was in my college years, I wasn’t able to wear dress that above the knees because I was afraid to be a laughing stock by my classmates but who cares, right? Thanks to your post. It is truly helpful! This changes my perception, I want to expose my cellulite. However, I am still doing my best to drop off some stones.
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Great article, it was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much