It’s time for this month’s mental health check, and we thought we would spend some time talking through this archaic and bass ackwards ideology that we see in the fitness space: you have to “look the part” for validity. WRONG. So, so, so wrong. Let’s dive into this, shall we?

YOU ARE A SNOWFLAKE BECAUSE WE’RE TAKING THAT PHRASE BACK

1. This saying used to be a positive thing. We are all, indeed snowflakes. Because every single snowflake that falls from the sky is unique, no flake is the same. They’re all built differently, they’re all shaped differently, they’re all different sizes
2. This is important because this also applies to humans. Every human is unique in their own way. Metabolically, physiologically, hell: mentally???
   • For the record: Metabolic: Relating to metabolism, the whole range of biochemical processes that occur within us (or any living organism). … The term “metabolic” is often used to refer specifically to the breakdown of food and its transformation into energy 
   • Physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical and physical functions in a living system.
3. Why is accepting this important? Because the framework around diet and fitness culture is that every person within it has to fit into a specific mold. We’ve been force fed the ideology that everyone must look ripped in order to have cred. And that just isn’t true, and to be frank, is dangerous.
   1. I’ve personally been working out the majority of my life, off and on. I started being very consistent 5 years ago, and super consistent 3 years ago. When I started on the consistency train  I weighed 127.5 pounds. I now weigh between 150 and 157. But, unless I put up before and after pictures, no one thinks there’s a difference. There’s a HUGE difference. I put this in here because it seems like no one gives a shit about context anymore. Context is important AS FUCK to anyone’s story. Don’t allow people to take away your context just because they think you have to look a certain way to have knowledge. We know that isn’t true.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO PROVE YOURSELF TO ANYONE

1. You have every right to be here and in this space. Don’t allow bullies to try to convince you otherwise. 
   • The internet and social media can be great, but they can also be truly awful.
2. We say this a lot, but you can’t believe everything you see on the internet. That model you’ve been comparing yourself to probably had a professional shoot. And good lighting. Maybe even butt pads. Comparison is the theif of joy. YOU know how hard you’ve been working, you know how much effort you put in, you know you show up. 
   • Referring back to context: it’s impossible to display all of those things (effort, showing out etc) in 3 minutes or less on social media platform. Any shitty comment you may get is from folks that have their own issues, which brings us to our next point:
3. Shame is often projected. Someone’s shitty comment, someone’s choice to be a bully or choice to be an asshole is only a reflection of one person: the person making the comment. It’s really difficult sometimes to not take those comments to heart, we get it. But try to remember that some asshole stranger on social media doesn’t know you and doesn’t get to take away your context just because they feel like they have great big balls to say whatever they want to whoever they want because they get the anonymity of the internet. Fuck that. This is your story, and they don’t get to be a part of it.
4. You belong here. You are valid. You’re worthy. And you know your shit. Don’t allow anyone else to try to steal your shine or your context. If you’re struggling, there are options out there for you.