One thing I am is honest and real. I
don’t mess around. I paint a realistic picture, I like to encourage personal
acceptance, and really think about what is an attainable goal for a person’s
lifestyle. Below I am going to outline some health and diet information about
two typical “make me look like” bodies.
Fitness Figure Model/Body Builder:
They eat clean, meaning :only whole organic foods, low carbs, plain meals such as boiled chicken and broccoli, and take many supplements such as L-Glutamine and Protein Powders. They have specifically tailored training and diet programs, perform rigorous training routines - lifting heavy weights and executing high intensity training regimes. Finally, before a photo shoot, they get fake tans, dehydrate themselves and have all their hair and makeup done.
They eat clean, meaning :only whole organic foods, low carbs, plain meals such as boiled chicken and broccoli, and take many supplements such as L-Glutamine and Protein Powders. They have specifically tailored training and diet programs, perform rigorous training routines - lifting heavy weights and executing high intensity training regimes. Finally, before a photo shoot, they get fake tans, dehydrate themselves and have all their hair and makeup done.
Actors/Models:
Eat a low calorie diet which is very rigid and typically low carb. They train for a couple of hours a day, have specifically tailored eating programs and access to their own trainers, chefs and nutritionists 24/7. They also take their “team” on holidays with them. Of course, they have professional hair and makeup done - but most importantly, don’t forget, their favourite product that gives them the best results: Adobe Photoshop.
Eat a low calorie diet which is very rigid and typically low carb. They train for a couple of hours a day, have specifically tailored eating programs and access to their own trainers, chefs and nutritionists 24/7. They also take their “team” on holidays with them. Of course, they have professional hair and makeup done - but most importantly, don’t forget, their favourite product that gives them the best results: Adobe Photoshop.
So if you’d like to look like either
of the above mentioned bodies, I can certainly help you achieve this. However,
realistically, do you have the time, money and dedication to achieve this goal?
What I recommend is a better,
realistic and attainable goal. This goal is to be the healthiest version of
yourself you can possibly be. Throw out the scales, stop looking at the
magazines, quit watching infomercials and make your own goals. If you are 5’4,
workout regularly, eat a healthy balanced diet, continue to work and socialise,
yet stay the same healthy weight and size then you have to accept that is the
healthiest version of yourself you can be, and you should be so very proud of
that!
Remember everybody is unique; we are
not all exactly the same. Our weight and shape are influenced by many different
factors including, gender, age, ethnicity, genes, medical conditions
medications, hormone function, mental function… The list goes on. You are you. Simply
strive to be the best possible you that YOU can be.
I am actually going through a bit of
acceptance and reality myself after a health scare. It has made me think about
what my body is really capable of going through and how much I am able to balance
without being a detriment to myself. I am now in a period of forced rest, which
for me the swimmer, boxer, runner, and weight lifter is quite uncomfortable
with (and between you and me finds it a bit scary). However I have had to
accept that this is what is happening for me right now, so I need to make the
best of the situation. I have always felt too busy to get the little things in
life done, but now I actually have that time. I am also going to use this time
for relaxation, strengthening and stretching. Being able to do yoga, Pilates
and gentle walking gives me great reflection time to recoup and remember what
is really important in life.
I have learnt a big lesson from this
experience. Exercise and health is important, but balance and living your life
is equally important. Unless you are an athlete training for a specific
purpose, twice day training and a strict diet that impedes on quality time with
family, friends or yourself is not required. When it starts to become an
obsession or a chore, take a step back and really think about what it is you
are doing and why. We are not all Wonder Women or Supermen. We are human. That
means being healthy involves enjoying life.
References
Ellyn S. 2010. What foods
celebrities eat to loose weight. Live Strong.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/218186-what-foods-celebs-eat-to-lose-weight/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/218186-what-foods-celebs-eat-to-lose-weight/
Gaston T. N.d. Abs of the
Month: Tiffany Gaston.
Sixpackabs.com. http://sixpacknow.com/march_tiffany.html
George D. 2010. Factors
Affecting Weight Loss. Live Strong.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/109026-factors-affecting-weight-loss/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/109026-factors-affecting-weight-loss/
Paraksh J. 2011. 8
factors that influence the Growth and Development of an Organism. Preserve
Articles.http://www.preservearticles.com/201105206837/factors-influencing-growth-and-development.html
Pat’s Personal Training. 2008. How Figure Competitors and Figure Models
Eat. http://patspersonaltraining.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/how-figure-competitors-and-fitness.html
Subhranita. N.d. What
do you mean by Energy Metabolism? Preserve
Articles. http://www.preservearticles.com/201105317334/what-do-you-mean-by-energy-metabolism.html
Weight-loss basics. The Mayo Clinic.
2011. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/MY00432
