This week we’re discussing how mirrors may be ruining our lives.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

A story about the time Leanne went to an acrobat show and what she noticed.

Why we need to change the way we look at fitness.

How judging our bodies makes us feel and what the data says.

How the messaging we receive from society influences our view of self.

The way we use social media to present a false image and why it’s harmful.

What we should emphasize over aesthetics.

Reasons why what we can do with our bodies is much more important than how we look.

The tweet that got Leanne thinking about why fitness is more important than weight.

Examples of what functional fitness looks like.

The different types of strengths we have that we can focus on.

Why you should get outside to get your movement in whenever you can.

What about our bodies is in our control and what isn’t.

Key Takeaways:

Even professional acrobats with similar strength abilities have diverse bodies.

We put far too much focus on the aesthetics of fitness and not enough on functional abilities.

The average British woman spends 17 years of her life on a diet.

Children as young as three express concerns about their bodies.

Keep in mind that almost all magazine photos have been photoshopped.

If we focus on children’s fitness, the issue of being overweight becomes irrelevant.

Functional fitness is about being able to meet the daily tasks and obstacles of life.

The emphasis should be placed on our strengths - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Movement helps release dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.

Striving for a particular body shape won’t lead to happiness because it’s not an aspect we can fully control.

Action Steps:

Here’s how to focus less on your reflection and more on what actually matters:

1.   Remember it’s about fitness, not weight. Focus on fitness in all aspects and strive to see what you can achieve. That is the goal.

2.   Don’t chase body perfection because it doesn’t exist. But, you can reach for a high-performing body that can transport you through life in a healthy, fit way.

Leanne said:

“Publishing things when we feel good is one thing, but publishing an image because we have polished it into an appearance of ‘perfection’, well that’s another thing altogether.”

“Focusing on what we can achieve with our bodies and not how they look is the main message here. Focusing on strength. Physical strength, mental strength, emotional strength. Focusing on that aspect of our overall fitness.”

Links To Things Mentioned In The Podcast:

Photoshopped celebrities: https://www.boredpanda.com/photoshopped-celebrities-before-after/

Leanne’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SLP1BF7KBQ

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As always, if you would like to register your interest in some of the ideas that I’m putting together with Bodyshot Performance, send an email to anne@bodyshotperformance.com.