You two really covered the body territory here; thank you! What might still be missing is the element of self-acceptance, though that vibe runs through this interview. I don't think anyone should ever be shamed for wanting to care for their body, nor for choosing to ignore their body. Each person's history and physicality is IMO what we should aim to understand.
I left a science career in my mid-twenties to study ballet with 14 year olds, having learned in hindsight I really was trying to get out of my head and occupy my body. All kinds of stuff ensued from there, none of which I regret though some of which I am not proud of. In any case, each person has one body and it's incredibly personal!
Learning how to try new things and accept/reject based on personal preferences is also the experience of living life, maturing into one's true self, etc. We benefit from the continual reminders.
I’ve come a long way in terms of appreciating and respecting my body, but the idea of feeling constantly at war, is definitely something I can relate to.
Resistance training has totally had totally flipped my thinking about a whole range of things related to body image, strength, femininity, and so much more. Thanks for sharing the interview with Amanda.
This is such a fantastic interview! So thought-provoking… ballet was never in the cards for me either but since I was five years old taking those classes at the Y, I have struggled to accept this, and this conversation helped me realize why.
This is a great read and conversation we need... you're helping us to open our minds to the deeper aspects of health, so thank you both! There are a couple of aspects I'd like to discuss further, though.
As someone who stopped dying my hair and wearing makeup about 10 years ago, I don't believe we're supposed to do these things as a society—perhaps shifting this societal this belief would help people accept their bodies better. We certainly can't rule out that possibility.
The struggle with going to gyms because they're "culty" is a genuine phenomenon, and I wish it didn't exist. So many people miss the benefits of movement (vs "exercise") because of the environment of gyms: gym rats, narcissists, and/or chicks who are hell-bent on turning it into a negative experience. I get that's why some gyms market themselves as "a different gym culture," but I still don't believe their marketing lol. I still prefer a home gym!
Regarding the comment, "I don’t know how you can live in American culture and want to lose weight only for health reasons." This is exactly what my clients are doing, so this isn't 100% true. As a nutritionist, it's my job to explain the benefits of reducing weight for health reasons only. I have to align my client's goal with their values—none of them (as of yet) are concerned with how they look—just how they feel. Sure, they enjoy the *side effects* of their body changes, but it's the reduction of dangerous medications they want most.
I'm also glad strength training has become so popular, "just for the sake of lifting." Removing the stigma of being a bodybuilder (which changed a lot of nutritional advice for the worst) is certainly a good thing! I believe there are a lot of post-menopausal women who are making strength-training a reality for all of us. It helps to know this is a bone-building, stabilizing, glucose-controlling, hormone-regulating type of exercise. Yes, some trends are good, right!?
I love your comment, "I’ve also read pieces that essentially argue that because the new weight loss drugs exist, body positivity is 'over.' Do we really think this concept is so easily destabilized, that we had it in the mainstream for what, like three years, and now it’s over?" Why is it one or the other? I believe we need to stop looking at things as back-or-white, because most things fall into a spectrum. However, when Dr's are looking at binge eating or other disorders, they should refer out to a therapist, rather than simply suggesting a drug that won't help correct that disorder. This is where the industry goes wrong...
Thank you for this, because it's such a great read about being open to changing routines, habits, and being open enough to say, "I tried, it was cool, its season is over." Beautiful!
You two really covered the body territory here; thank you! What might still be missing is the element of self-acceptance, though that vibe runs through this interview. I don't think anyone should ever be shamed for wanting to care for their body, nor for choosing to ignore their body. Each person's history and physicality is IMO what we should aim to understand.
I left a science career in my mid-twenties to study ballet with 14 year olds, having learned in hindsight I really was trying to get out of my head and occupy my body. All kinds of stuff ensued from there, none of which I regret though some of which I am not proud of. In any case, each person has one body and it's incredibly personal!
Learning how to try new things and accept/reject based on personal preferences is also the experience of living life, maturing into one's true self, etc. We benefit from the continual reminders.
I’ve come a long way in terms of appreciating and respecting my body, but the idea of feeling constantly at war, is definitely something I can relate to.
Resistance training has totally had totally flipped my thinking about a whole range of things related to body image, strength, femininity, and so much more. Thanks for sharing the interview with Amanda.
This is such a fantastic interview! So thought-provoking… ballet was never in the cards for me either but since I was five years old taking those classes at the Y, I have struggled to accept this, and this conversation helped me realize why.
She is so awesome. what a great read
This is a great read and conversation we need... you're helping us to open our minds to the deeper aspects of health, so thank you both! There are a couple of aspects I'd like to discuss further, though.
As someone who stopped dying my hair and wearing makeup about 10 years ago, I don't believe we're supposed to do these things as a society—perhaps shifting this societal this belief would help people accept their bodies better. We certainly can't rule out that possibility.
The struggle with going to gyms because they're "culty" is a genuine phenomenon, and I wish it didn't exist. So many people miss the benefits of movement (vs "exercise") because of the environment of gyms: gym rats, narcissists, and/or chicks who are hell-bent on turning it into a negative experience. I get that's why some gyms market themselves as "a different gym culture," but I still don't believe their marketing lol. I still prefer a home gym!
Regarding the comment, "I don’t know how you can live in American culture and want to lose weight only for health reasons." This is exactly what my clients are doing, so this isn't 100% true. As a nutritionist, it's my job to explain the benefits of reducing weight for health reasons only. I have to align my client's goal with their values—none of them (as of yet) are concerned with how they look—just how they feel. Sure, they enjoy the *side effects* of their body changes, but it's the reduction of dangerous medications they want most.
I'm also glad strength training has become so popular, "just for the sake of lifting." Removing the stigma of being a bodybuilder (which changed a lot of nutritional advice for the worst) is certainly a good thing! I believe there are a lot of post-menopausal women who are making strength-training a reality for all of us. It helps to know this is a bone-building, stabilizing, glucose-controlling, hormone-regulating type of exercise. Yes, some trends are good, right!?
I love your comment, "I’ve also read pieces that essentially argue that because the new weight loss drugs exist, body positivity is 'over.' Do we really think this concept is so easily destabilized, that we had it in the mainstream for what, like three years, and now it’s over?" Why is it one or the other? I believe we need to stop looking at things as back-or-white, because most things fall into a spectrum. However, when Dr's are looking at binge eating or other disorders, they should refer out to a therapist, rather than simply suggesting a drug that won't help correct that disorder. This is where the industry goes wrong...
Thank you for this, because it's such a great read about being open to changing routines, habits, and being open enough to say, "I tried, it was cool, its season is over." Beautiful!