We see those pictures on the covers of magazines and workout DVD ads, glistening abs, ripped and shredded biceps, nothing jiggles whatsoever.

 

“I want that” we think, as we look at ourselves in the mirror. Stretch marks, cellulite, loose skin all screaming back at us.

 

But do we really?Is is it even real?

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First question first. Do you really want that? I mean, obviously, if we could snap our fingers and instantly be all ripped and shreddy, that’d be awesome! But when you step back and think about what goes into it–the concept doesn’t seem as awesome.

Those lean, ripped, non-jiggling people you see are sacrificing in just about every area of their everyday lives. They are having to avoid a lot of social situations, restrict their food intake to an extreme, their workouts take precedence over spending time with loved ones. Aside from socially restricted, their bodies also take a toll. Rest is often a struggle and fatigue is real, women struggle with hormone imbalances and often lose their monthly cycles once they reach a certain body fat percentage, sex drives plummet, men struggle with low testosterone, the list goes on. BUT they look good in a picture!

Emphasis on IN A PICTURE. Those shots you see on magazine covers are airbrushed and photoshopped to perfection. The bodies in the DVD’s are spritzed with oils and water for a glistening shine. They are flexing and water depleted and are spray tanned and made up to look perfect. It’s not how those people walk around every day, and that’s what you need to keep in mind.

If you’re looking to achieve an extreme level of leanness, you have to be mentally prepared for it to influence all areas of your life. Are you ready to avoid social outings with friends and family for a certain body fat percentage?

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“But you’re a trainer, a coach, a nutrition specialist…why don’t you have ripped abs?”

Because I also am a mom, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter who enjoys spending time with the people she loves. I like a spontaneous pizza dinner with friends. I have a glass of wine with my husband several nights a week. My kids and I often will swing through the drive thru for a milk shake on a whim. This is what makes up a happy, balanced, life (for me).

I workout regularly, I train 20+ clients a month on average-coaching them in fitness and nutrition and changing their lifestyle. But I never preach restriction or abandonment of living life to the fullest. Abs would probably be fun, but the cost doesn’t outweigh the benefits for me.

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Moral of the story, abs can be painted on for a photoshoot. They can be flexed and edited with software on a computer. For the majority of us, they are HARD to achieve, let alone maintain just walking around. To reach a level of body fat to have them visible requires quite a bit of restriction and sacrifice. If you’re up for that challenge, GREAT! If you’re not, AWESOME! Health can be achieved, you can look good in a bathing suit, you can feel great–without a six pack.