This might sound a little gross, but me right now? LOL. After menopause and getting HRT balanced, and working to keep my fatigue down/energy up, I'm back in that groove where I feel good in my skin. I'm not a marathoner or HIIT-er or anything remotely like that, but I do try to get exercise in 5x/wk, 30-60 mins of stuff I enjoy (urban hikes, rowing, yoga, CSX, kettlebells) that I do at home ('cept for the hikes, of course). I have allergies, asthma and EBV, so I have to be mindful of not overdoing it, but there comes a point where my body craves movement, and that feels pretty good. We all need something different. Finding what we respond to is such a boon. Mentally and emotionally as much as physically. xo
Thanks, Mikala. YES! I love my HRT. BUT I did have to lower the dosage even though I was on the lowest dose. It put me right on the first-day-of-my-period-insatiable-hunger, which was no biggie when it was just one day. But every day? For months and months? That’s just not comfortable. (And, no it’s not part of getting older/menopause/being a woman.) So I got permission from my GYN to cut those little pills in half, and life is so good. I also have sparkly boobs, so my GP didn’t want me to go on HRT, bless her young heart. But I spoke to an expert in menopause who gave me the real deal in regards to health risks, and my GYN was so impressed with my knowledge when I pled my case. LOL. I took down the paywall for my post on this fun ride which has the details in case someone else is on this rollercoaster. xo
I agree with Mikala - NOT gross at all! I could have written this - down to allergies and asthma, too :) and echo your comments about being "back in that groove where I feel good in my skin." Mostly. Still trying to roll with more variability than I would like, but HRT was huge for me. I feel awful that a whole generation of women were advised to go without it.
Movement cravings are definitely the best ones to indulge! Glad you're in a good spot these days!
Thanks so much, Kim! Reverse puberty is no joke! LOL. And I think we’ve collectively learned that our GPs are just generalists. They aren’t experts (still smart and lovely); we need to take it to the next level, and then make sure we are heard. We need to keep up on the science ourselves as well.
FWIW, I was first put on the patch. What a farce! Only a man would create something we need to keep on for a week that isn’t waterproof. (I said what I said.) So, I would get a big waterproof bandage to put over it. Very sexy. Finally, it caused a rash and my GYN put me on the pill version. I love my GYN and she sort of laughed when I asked to cut those tiny pills in half, but that was the ticket. When I saw her for my annual, she asked if it was still working. “I suppose it’s placebo effect at this level,” I joked. She smiled and shrugged, “Some people are just really sensitive.” Advocate! Never stop pleading your case. When we have other fun stuff, like autoimmune issues, other cards are in play. We know ourselves better than anyone. And the age/woman/menopause cause excuse really needs to be thrown out. Wrinkles and gray hair? Yes. Feeling like garbage? No.
And yes yes yes to indulging in movement! Can we separate exercise from diet culture please? It’s so good for us, and has nothing to do with anyone else (unless you fall out of headstand in yoga class onto other people). xo
The way Ilona Maher handled the criticism of her body during the Olympics was effing brilliant. She’s a gem. I wish she’d been around when I was growing up.
She had a post or a story of all the little girls who dressed up as her for Halloween and I was absolutely verklempt. It would have meant so much to me as a tall thick little girl who always felt bad about not looking like a ballerina. I love her!
I really like @girlswhopowerlift on Instagram. Seeing a ton of women (and some actual children) of different shapes and sizes focusing on strength is a really uplifting addition to my feed. (It's also a good way to discover lots of individual lifters -- I like to follow women with similar frames to me for form tips.)
Lean Beef Patty (who I wrote about in a post on fitness influencers https://artfullyexercising.substack.com/p/under-the-influence?utm_source=publication-search). I appreciate how she's upfront about exercise being one step in the equation to a healthy and happy life, not the end-all-be-all. She's serious in the gym, but also makes it clear that we should not to take ourselves and our routines too seriously. Furthermore, she's very honest about her issues with eating disorders and therefore, is not judgemental about it. I really like the fact that she doesn't offer platitudes on "eating healthy" that I've seen other fitness influencers espousing endlessly.
My family didn't care about looks at all. Zero. No vanity. The focus was doing things vs how you looked. Weight was never mentioned one way or another, nor were "bad" foods. People ate what they wanted when they were hungry and stopped when they were full and that was that.
So of course the rebellion was I worked in the beauty industry for years. The plain-janeness of my family bugged me as a kid but now I realize it gave me a lot. I've always had a relatively healthy body image and felt good in my own skin, even when there were hotter, skinnier, younger, etc. women around.
Wow this is truly fascinating to me, Julie. Very interesting that you rebelled in the way you did. It's honestly hard to imagine being in a family that didn't talk about all this crap because mine did sooooo much
You're so lucky! My family (incl extended) constantly, ennnndddlessly talk about other people's looks and in particular weight. I love them but it's a battle to be around some times and definitely think it's played a big part in my history of disordered eating and not feeling good in my own skin! Hoping that I can make my family when I have children more like yours, what a great way to be.
Yes - I think a lot of people grow up with that and it sounds really hard. Childhood messaging IS the blueprint.
Ofc I still got the messaging from the culture at large, friends, etc., and I devoured beauty magazines - so I'm far from immune. But the indifference at home was good for me.
I enjoy @harrietharper_fitnes and @doclyssfitness on Instagram because they offer two different ideologies on fitness and both of them portray their bodies as places to live your life in versus a one size fits all kit you must destroy to fit a certain ideal. Very little fitfluencer vibes from either of them, but lots of living in your body, enjoying what your body can do, and do your best to work with your body instead of against it. I like that both are more up front about injuries and mental health struggles as apart of living life and figuring things out too.
I would also be terribly remiss if I didn’t bring up the Adaptive Training Foundation in Texas. This is an incredible gym that initially was founded by an NFL player to help veterans with combat limb loss injuries. It has since been expanded to help a significant amount of individuals who have experienced a variety of disabilities or severe injuries, not just amputees. The video on the founder talking about training one of his first clients, a veteran with 4 limb amputations, is phenomenal because he actually talks about seeing someone’s “body” for what it is exactly and wanting that person to know they are still able to use their body to experience their life in some way. It’s the actual embodiment of no matter what your body looks like, you STILL deserve to use it, make it feel good, exercise it, and work with the limitations you might be experiencing to have a life that works for you.
This is so awesome, Elea, thank you. Incidentally a family friend is unfortunately going through a situation in which he's lost his limbs and going through rehabilitation so I'll be sending this.
I adore Katie Sturino! She runs a series called #SuperSizeTheLook where she reminds people it helps retrain our brains to see two women next to each other and not declare a winner.
One of my favorite leveling forces on instagram is Shana Minei Spence (@thenutritiontea). She's a nutritionist /registered dietitian, self-described 'geriatric millennial', and all-around purveyor of common sense. Generally I shy away from dietitians, as I have a history of 'overcontrolled eating' and do better when I don't focus unduly on 'what' or 'how much' I'm taking in.
But Shana's different. She's just so sane. and validating. and positive. and inclusive. ( Those last two, especially, in genuine, multi-factorial ways).
We all need to eat. And we all have varied resources (time, money) and motivations around food.
From Shana, I get periodic and much-needed reminders that Eating is Good. Yes, it's important to eat more of the good stuff, but in her world all food has a place. This last was a keystone of my ED recovery: Allow all the things. And enjoy them! (This negates the urge to binge on forbidden foodstuffs, because. . . nothing is forbidden :)
Shana also reminds me to be wary of trends in diet culture and people trying to make money off of those trends. I need this refrain, too. The idea that I can live a healthy life, generally speaking, and that's enough.
She has a book out recently "Live Nourished." I haven't checked it out yet, but I'll bet it's great!
As a guy, I don’t see many of those, but I suppose I’ve always been attracted to fighter physiques. Always thought guys like Jet Li, ol’ Bruce and more recently MMA types like prime GSP were goals. I don’t much like the aesthetic muscle look on guys (though I think it looks great on girls). In general, I’m more of a fan of functional muscles and what your body can do for you vs how it looks.
I'm going to read down these comments because I'm in a space right now where I could really use some perspective about it. Thanks for putting this out there.
There are so many but the first one I thought of: instagram.com/bdccarpenter
This might sound a little gross, but me right now? LOL. After menopause and getting HRT balanced, and working to keep my fatigue down/energy up, I'm back in that groove where I feel good in my skin. I'm not a marathoner or HIIT-er or anything remotely like that, but I do try to get exercise in 5x/wk, 30-60 mins of stuff I enjoy (urban hikes, rowing, yoga, CSX, kettlebells) that I do at home ('cept for the hikes, of course). I have allergies, asthma and EBV, so I have to be mindful of not overdoing it, but there comes a point where my body craves movement, and that feels pretty good. We all need something different. Finding what we respond to is such a boon. Mentally and emotionally as much as physically. xo
NOT GROSS. This is awesome, Sandra. I'm 100000% here for it. Did you have a good experience with HRT overall?
Thanks, Mikala. YES! I love my HRT. BUT I did have to lower the dosage even though I was on the lowest dose. It put me right on the first-day-of-my-period-insatiable-hunger, which was no biggie when it was just one day. But every day? For months and months? That’s just not comfortable. (And, no it’s not part of getting older/menopause/being a woman.) So I got permission from my GYN to cut those little pills in half, and life is so good. I also have sparkly boobs, so my GP didn’t want me to go on HRT, bless her young heart. But I spoke to an expert in menopause who gave me the real deal in regards to health risks, and my GYN was so impressed with my knowledge when I pled my case. LOL. I took down the paywall for my post on this fun ride which has the details in case someone else is on this rollercoaster. xo
https://asassylittle.substack.com/p/not-so-fast
Amazing, thanks for the info!
I agree with Mikala - NOT gross at all! I could have written this - down to allergies and asthma, too :) and echo your comments about being "back in that groove where I feel good in my skin." Mostly. Still trying to roll with more variability than I would like, but HRT was huge for me. I feel awful that a whole generation of women were advised to go without it.
Movement cravings are definitely the best ones to indulge! Glad you're in a good spot these days!
Thanks so much, Kim! Reverse puberty is no joke! LOL. And I think we’ve collectively learned that our GPs are just generalists. They aren’t experts (still smart and lovely); we need to take it to the next level, and then make sure we are heard. We need to keep up on the science ourselves as well.
FWIW, I was first put on the patch. What a farce! Only a man would create something we need to keep on for a week that isn’t waterproof. (I said what I said.) So, I would get a big waterproof bandage to put over it. Very sexy. Finally, it caused a rash and my GYN put me on the pill version. I love my GYN and she sort of laughed when I asked to cut those tiny pills in half, but that was the ticket. When I saw her for my annual, she asked if it was still working. “I suppose it’s placebo effect at this level,” I joked. She smiled and shrugged, “Some people are just really sensitive.” Advocate! Never stop pleading your case. When we have other fun stuff, like autoimmune issues, other cards are in play. We know ourselves better than anyone. And the age/woman/menopause cause excuse really needs to be thrown out. Wrinkles and gray hair? Yes. Feeling like garbage? No.
And yes yes yes to indulging in movement! Can we separate exercise from diet culture please? It’s so good for us, and has nothing to do with anyone else (unless you fall out of headstand in yoga class onto other people). xo
The way Ilona Maher handled the criticism of her body during the Olympics was effing brilliant. She’s a gem. I wish she’d been around when I was growing up.
Yes!!!
She had a post or a story of all the little girls who dressed up as her for Halloween and I was absolutely verklempt. It would have meant so much to me as a tall thick little girl who always felt bad about not looking like a ballerina. I love her!
I didn't know about this omggggg I want to marry her
Honestly, Nigella Lawson. She made it sexy for women to eat luxurious food and look like they do. What a babe.
What a great answer. I wouldn't have expected it but this is so true. Very important to see women who just love food and eating unapologetically!
I really like @girlswhopowerlift on Instagram. Seeing a ton of women (and some actual children) of different shapes and sizes focusing on strength is a really uplifting addition to my feed. (It's also a good way to discover lots of individual lifters -- I like to follow women with similar frames to me for form tips.)
I LOVE that account. Seconded!
Whitney Simmons because she is strong AF, recently overcame major depression to get back into fitness and also deals with psoriasis like a queen.
https://www.instagram.com/whitneyysimmons/
Looked at her current first post and already I'm in!
Lean Beef Patty (who I wrote about in a post on fitness influencers https://artfullyexercising.substack.com/p/under-the-influence?utm_source=publication-search). I appreciate how she's upfront about exercise being one step in the equation to a healthy and happy life, not the end-all-be-all. She's serious in the gym, but also makes it clear that we should not to take ourselves and our routines too seriously. Furthermore, she's very honest about her issues with eating disorders and therefore, is not judgemental about it. I really like the fact that she doesn't offer platitudes on "eating healthy" that I've seen other fitness influencers espousing endlessly.
This is awesome, will def be following.
My family didn't care about looks at all. Zero. No vanity. The focus was doing things vs how you looked. Weight was never mentioned one way or another, nor were "bad" foods. People ate what they wanted when they were hungry and stopped when they were full and that was that.
So of course the rebellion was I worked in the beauty industry for years. The plain-janeness of my family bugged me as a kid but now I realize it gave me a lot. I've always had a relatively healthy body image and felt good in my own skin, even when there were hotter, skinnier, younger, etc. women around.
Wow this is truly fascinating to me, Julie. Very interesting that you rebelled in the way you did. It's honestly hard to imagine being in a family that didn't talk about all this crap because mine did sooooo much
You're so lucky! My family (incl extended) constantly, ennnndddlessly talk about other people's looks and in particular weight. I love them but it's a battle to be around some times and definitely think it's played a big part in my history of disordered eating and not feeling good in my own skin! Hoping that I can make my family when I have children more like yours, what a great way to be.
Mine too!
Yes - I think a lot of people grow up with that and it sounds really hard. Childhood messaging IS the blueprint.
Ofc I still got the messaging from the culture at large, friends, etc., and I devoured beauty magazines - so I'm far from immune. But the indifference at home was good for me.
I enjoy @harrietharper_fitnes and @doclyssfitness on Instagram because they offer two different ideologies on fitness and both of them portray their bodies as places to live your life in versus a one size fits all kit you must destroy to fit a certain ideal. Very little fitfluencer vibes from either of them, but lots of living in your body, enjoying what your body can do, and do your best to work with your body instead of against it. I like that both are more up front about injuries and mental health struggles as apart of living life and figuring things out too.
I would also be terribly remiss if I didn’t bring up the Adaptive Training Foundation in Texas. This is an incredible gym that initially was founded by an NFL player to help veterans with combat limb loss injuries. It has since been expanded to help a significant amount of individuals who have experienced a variety of disabilities or severe injuries, not just amputees. The video on the founder talking about training one of his first clients, a veteran with 4 limb amputations, is phenomenal because he actually talks about seeing someone’s “body” for what it is exactly and wanting that person to know they are still able to use their body to experience their life in some way. It’s the actual embodiment of no matter what your body looks like, you STILL deserve to use it, make it feel good, exercise it, and work with the limitations you might be experiencing to have a life that works for you.
This is so awesome, Elea, thank you. Incidentally a family friend is unfortunately going through a situation in which he's lost his limbs and going through rehabilitation so I'll be sending this.
https://www.adaptivetrainingfoundation.org
I adore Katie Sturino! She runs a series called #SuperSizeTheLook where she reminds people it helps retrain our brains to see two women next to each other and not declare a winner.
https://www.instagram.com/katiesturino
oh hell yeah this is great
I loved her book and wish so dearly I’d had it as a middle schooler!
One of my favorite leveling forces on instagram is Shana Minei Spence (@thenutritiontea). She's a nutritionist /registered dietitian, self-described 'geriatric millennial', and all-around purveyor of common sense. Generally I shy away from dietitians, as I have a history of 'overcontrolled eating' and do better when I don't focus unduly on 'what' or 'how much' I'm taking in.
But Shana's different. She's just so sane. and validating. and positive. and inclusive. ( Those last two, especially, in genuine, multi-factorial ways).
We all need to eat. And we all have varied resources (time, money) and motivations around food.
From Shana, I get periodic and much-needed reminders that Eating is Good. Yes, it's important to eat more of the good stuff, but in her world all food has a place. This last was a keystone of my ED recovery: Allow all the things. And enjoy them! (This negates the urge to binge on forbidden foodstuffs, because. . . nothing is forbidden :)
Shana also reminds me to be wary of trends in diet culture and people trying to make money off of those trends. I need this refrain, too. The idea that I can live a healthy life, generally speaking, and that's enough.
She has a book out recently "Live Nourished." I haven't checked it out yet, but I'll bet it's great!
https://www.instagram.com/thenutritiontea/?igsh=MWs5dXpwcjNoczln#
She's on Substack! https://substack.com/@thenutritiontea
https://www.instagram.com/meganjaynecrabbe/ - love her focus on what your body can do for you, and also her videos of her at twerk dancing classes!
I've seen some of her vids and she exudes such joy!
@alexlight_ldn is great
She's got a great aura for sure
As a guy, I don’t see many of those, but I suppose I’ve always been attracted to fighter physiques. Always thought guys like Jet Li, ol’ Bruce and more recently MMA types like prime GSP were goals. I don’t much like the aesthetic muscle look on guys (though I think it looks great on girls). In general, I’m more of a fan of functional muscles and what your body can do for you vs how it looks.
I'd like to shout out Slow Girls Run Club (@slowgirlsrunclub) & trainer Inclusive Strength/Kate (inclusive_strength_) in Vancouver.
I'm going to read down these comments because I'm in a space right now where I could really use some perspective about it. Thanks for putting this out there.
So glad you found it, Jess.