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Kasie-s-Health-Fitness-Tips

How do I change my body shape?

Question:

Hi Kasie! I have always felt that working out and living a healthy lifestyle by incorporating exercise and fitness can help me achieve the shape and all other benefits of my efforts. I have placed a lot of time into my routine, seeking the advice of other professionals along with my own research and studying up on inspiring people's fitness blogs.  I have set reasonable goals, consulted with a nutritionist, workout regularly and I am confident that my workouts are balanced in all aspects including cardio and flexibility….. according to my findings.  I am proud that my efforts during the past two years have allowed me to make great gains of weight loss, muscle tone and as you call it “body awareness” and “connection to my movements.”  However, here is my issue - for all the time that I spend time in the gym, I am not liking how my body is looking!

I am happy with my body being toned and still feminine looking, but I feel like my legs are getting bigger. I have built up glutes that I did not expect or want and my back is wider than before.  Both of these issues are forcing me to go larger in tops and pants… the reverse of my efforts!  I know that I need to stay active and continue working out to keep the weight off,  but I am so disappointed and frustrated that my fitness seems to be reshaping my body in a way that I don't like.  What can I do to change my new body shape?

Alissa C.

 

Answer:

I have to admit, I was surprised to read your question, only for the fact that in the past few months I have had many other women mentioning the same frustrations, all with the theme of  “Why am I working so hard to achieve a body shape that I don't like?”  So your question could not have come at a better time!

I will be honest, you might be disappointed that I don't have the right response or a new routine that will help you to reshape your legs to make them leaner and your back smaller so that your pants and jackets can fit better.  From reading your question I have to encourage you to “dig a little deeper.”  A few things are clear to me from reading your question: First, nowhere in your letter did you mention that you are working out because you enjoy it, nor did it sound like you enjoy the process. To me it seems that you're goal oriented, hard working focus has taken away from how you truly feel about what you are doing.  Secondly, I can tell that you do your research, spend time on reading the facts, seek out the professional help and learn from other's experiences. 

Yes, this is all great to do and congratulations to you for placing your efforts and time on advancing your understandings in the beginning of your health and fitness journey.  However, I feel that it might be in your best interest to help you bridge the gap and answer your own questions.  You can do this if you stop looking outside of yourself for the answers and start trusting and listening to your body - you might just find you will feel and see the changes you desire! You have previously learned from other people's education and first hand experiences; now I think it's time for you to trust your own innate understanding of self and self-awareness.  After all, this is your body and only you know it best! So, ask yourself these questions:

 

1.  Am I working out so diligently because I feel fulfilled and truly enjoy the training process, or am I spending my hours working out only because I feel I have to work out in order to maintain a healthy shape to look and feel my best?

2.  Do I listen to my body when I feel physically tired and burned out? Do I still go for a workout against my body's needs because I fear what will happen if I “skip a workout” or, do I take a rest day and relax?

3.  Do I push past the lack of enjoyment in training because I feel I “have to go to the gym”? (After all, it is part of my routine!)

4.  Do I love the gym and my time spent with my physical activities or workouts?  Does it feed my soul, charge me up, relieve stress and have me feeling my greatest energetically, emotionally and physically?

The questions I have for you could be endless.... but I think you can see the point that I am getting at!  So, I leave you with this last thought:

If we are doing something such as working out and not enjoying the time spent doing it, or not enjoying the results from our efforts, then seeking out the understanding and your beliefs around why you are spending so much energy and time doing something that is not entirely working for you is important to get to!  Knowing if you are working out for an unknown...or known fear of not being healthy enough or in good enough shape, fear of not looking your very best for yourself or someone else is entirely the wrong reason to workout! If you are working out and forcing yourself to do it, I can assure you, you can have the best workout regimen and you will still not reap the rewards of it in a physically and emotionally way!

If this is the case, I challenge you to step away from the gym, stop your workouts and try something new! Stay active with body weight workouts outside of the gym, switch up your routine and go for hikes, walks or runs. Find something that charges you up so much that you are not thinking about how your body looks... just knowing that you are healthy physically and in the right mindset is enough! I can assure you, one of two things will happen.... you will learn the gym is the place for you and you need to place some small tweaks into your workout regimen and this break and search for self understanding was a great benefit to keep you motivated going forward; or you will learn that you have not been listening to your body or been in tune with yourself, giving you the opportunity to seek out what activities allow to to feel your best while maintaining your health on all levels.

 

If you have any questions or training inquiries, contact Kasie directly at 250-859-2431 or www.profilefitnesstraining.com

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Fitness has been a passion and way of life for Kasie for over 14 years, six of those years she has dedicated to training and educating her clients and group fitness classes. Kasie strives to transform lives and bring awareness to those on the realistic, simplistic and effective keys to living and maintaining lifelong health and fitness success.  Kasie is known for her tough, yet realistic approach and has been apart of transforming many lives.  Kasie is so blessed to be able to make her dreams become her reality and help others set, reach and surpass their desired goals.

www.profilefitnesstraining.com

You can contact Kasie by e-mail:  [email protected]
 

 



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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