Why the Mirror Is So Important...And Not For The Reasons You Might Think
Hello my faithful friends. By now it is my hope that not only have you decided to devote a little more time to feeling a bit better, to getting moving a bit more, but to also paying a bit more attention to what you're placing into your body...if not you can get on board here. For this article, I wanted to address a comment that I get from my clients almost every single day, particularly those who are just starting out with me. I get it from both men and women, but my focus is on us gals right now so...The comment that's made over and over again is "I hate looking at myself in the mirror when I work out." Ugh...yep, it happens with nearly every single introduction session I have and of course the issue delves far deeper than just the mirror at the gym. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why that statement is made and then what we can do to crush it!
THE EASIEST SEDUCTION: MEDIA
You might not even realize this girls, but nearly every single image that crosses those beautiful eyes of yours, is telling you that the way you look IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I know, you might not even see it coming, but the fact is that I speak the truth. Ads on the tele, ads in your favorite glossy readers, displays at your local Boots or department store, they are all made to remind you that your look could use some improvement...if not a complete overhaul. What those little monsters of advertising don't tell you is what went into making those commercials, how long it took your favorite celeb to get in the hair extensions, false eyelashes, spray tanner, body makeup coverup, how many personal trainers they hired, how much money they spent on their PROFESSIONAL makeup artist, stylist, and what they had to do to get their clothes TAILORED made for their body. They don't want you to know, because then why in the world would you then purchase hair extensions, false eyelashes and spray tanner in an effort to duplicate yourself as your favorite Footballers' Wives diva (dated reference I know!) or in the States, it seems to be the Kardashians (good grief). Now, I'm not saying that there aren't beings in this world who are genetically more aligned to fit the rather ill defined notions of beauty we're being told to appreciate-- there are, BUT even those souls need a little HD help because NO ONE IS PERFECT...it's impossible.
There's a reason my clients look in the mirror and their eyes seem to seek out each and every perceived lump and bump, wiggle and jiggle, pooch and...well you get the point. When my gals gaze into the glass, their minds construct an image of themselves based on an amplified version of what they hate. They forget that they're standing beside me as they squat with a barbell for the first time, or lift a weight and watch their bicep pump strong in their arm. All they see is cellulite (which nearly every woman has!). So what's a girl to do as she stands in front of her mirror and she's being asked by me to try her first workout? Read on...
There's a reason my clients look in the mirror and their eyes seem to seek out each and every perceived lump and bump, wiggle and jiggle, pooch and...well you get the point. When my gals gaze into the glass, their minds construct an image of themselves based on an amplified version of what they hate. They forget that they're standing beside me as they squat with a barbell for the first time, or lift a weight and watch their bicep pump strong in their arm. All they see is cellulite (which nearly every woman has!). So what's a girl to do as she stands in front of her mirror and she's being asked by me to try her first workout? Read on...
Confront the Enemy...and Kickbox it into Oblivion
Attention to nutrition and exercise can be wonky when you first start. There's all this focus on things you've been doing a great job of squashing down or just flat out ignoring. There's attention on your body, on what you're eating, on how you're feeling and most of us women who are everything to everyone or who are trying to be everything to everyone, we tend to just lose ourselves sometimes. Then you're being asked to stand in front of a mirror and work out, to watch yourself move, to pay attention to your body and why in the heck would you want to do that? I'll tell you why... because you need to see just what you're capable of accomplishing and the mirror is the best way to see that done!
I take my clients after their initial warm-up and lesson, I take them in front of the mirror and hand them usually their first dumb bells and TOGETHER we watch as they lift and lower in perfect form. I make them stare at themselves directly, not to watch what they think is wrong with their bodies, but to see what's right; that they're strong enough to even lift a weight, that they have a heart that's still pumping, legs that allow them to squat over and over again, even though it hurts, and a burgeoning new posture that's straight, confident and full of grace just like they truly are. Then AFTER the entire workout I ask them to just sit for a minute before the mirror and take a few breaths as they gaze upon themselves and I talk them through everything that they accomplished that session, things that they didn't want to do, things they didn't think they could do and things that made them afraid. They face themselves sweaty, exhausted...and smiling or sometimes crying if it's one of those days, but either way, they don't see themselves as they did before. Potential is apparent. Beauty is redefined in a way that matters the most. Strength is remembered. Those are all things our mirrors are waiting to show us so stop avoiding that looking glass and gaze deep. I think you might be stunned at the beauty looking back!
I'm giving you a link to watch this amazing video on just what it takes to get those models photo ready! Please take the time to check it out (and by the way, I don't work for this company although it might be nice!)here
I take my clients after their initial warm-up and lesson, I take them in front of the mirror and hand them usually their first dumb bells and TOGETHER we watch as they lift and lower in perfect form. I make them stare at themselves directly, not to watch what they think is wrong with their bodies, but to see what's right; that they're strong enough to even lift a weight, that they have a heart that's still pumping, legs that allow them to squat over and over again, even though it hurts, and a burgeoning new posture that's straight, confident and full of grace just like they truly are. Then AFTER the entire workout I ask them to just sit for a minute before the mirror and take a few breaths as they gaze upon themselves and I talk them through everything that they accomplished that session, things that they didn't want to do, things they didn't think they could do and things that made them afraid. They face themselves sweaty, exhausted...and smiling or sometimes crying if it's one of those days, but either way, they don't see themselves as they did before. Potential is apparent. Beauty is redefined in a way that matters the most. Strength is remembered. Those are all things our mirrors are waiting to show us so stop avoiding that looking glass and gaze deep. I think you might be stunned at the beauty looking back!
I'm giving you a link to watch this amazing video on just what it takes to get those models photo ready! Please take the time to check it out (and by the way, I don't work for this company although it might be nice!)here
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