This one is for all my girls out there who were unhappy, unfit &/or overweight and decided to take action on their life to gain confidence, health and apparently a lot of criticism….

‘Fit Shaming’ sounds weird doesn’t it?

What could someone possible have against another person for gaining health?

I ask myself the same goddamn time every time I hear it happening.

And you know what it is really starting to piss me off – as I imagine is for the people copping this ‘Fit-Shaming’.

But first what is it?

Here let me give you a clue and see if you have ever been a victim of ‘Fit Shaming’ or even worse someone who actually fit shames…

‘You aren’t going to loose any more weight are you? You’ll look too skinny’

‘You should stop lifting weights because you’ll get to bulky’

‘Why do you exercise you are already skinny enough?’

‘You are too young to be doing that’

‘You are too old to be doing that’

‘You don’t look like you exercise’

‘Don’t you know how to have fun?’

‘I can’t believe you’d rather go workout then go out for dinner and drinks –what is wrong with you?’

‘Lifting weights isn’t good for girls’

‘You’ve really lost all of your boobs haven’t you?’

‘Skip the gym, you’ve already been 2 times this week you don’t want to get to addicted it isn’t healthy’

‘Eating healthy is too expensive’

‘Training is too expensive’

‘Why don’t you want McDonalds for dinner? Do you have an eating disorder?’

‘Is that all you’re having for lunch?’

And usually the ones that aren’t directly to your face are:

‘OMG have you seen …. She is looking gross, she has taken it too far’

‘What is with all her gym sefies, who gives a sh*t, she doesn’t even look that good’

‘Apparently she has an eating disorder and doesn’t eat ANY takeout’

‘I can’t believe she exercises nearly every day, she is going to over do it – it isn’t healthy’

‘As if she can eat that and still look fit? She must throw it up straight after’

OH MY GOD – Need I go on?!?!?!?!

Firstly a big F*CK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT ABOVE SH*T!!!!

WE don’t want to hear it!

The people that say this kind of garbage are usually uneducated, overweight people unhappy with themselves who can’t stand that fact that other people are actually succeeding in health and life that are looking and feeling really bloody good!!!!!

If you’ve gone through a transformation of your own you may let these comments get to you and start questioning yourself – DON’T.

You also may see friend groups change as you go through this transformation – GOOD! Don’t let this make you feel ‘bad’. You are separating yourself from these negative people whilst then surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed, who motivate you, inspire you and encourage you – who share the same beliefs as you.

Training is healthy.

Not wanting to consume rubbish is healthy.

And most importantly confidence is healthy.

So next time someone questions you and the way you look, reverse their snide remarks and flip the question back onto them because I’m damn sure they wouldn’t like to be told

‘You aren’t going to put on any MORE weight are you?? You’re getting too fat!’

Stay Strong & Stretch,
Tel x

You are never fucking alone.

Like ever.

No matter what you are going through there will be someone out there either a) going through a similar experience or b) wanting to give you support.

With this said why do so many of us go it alone?

When did going it alone get anyone anywhere?

Even one of the best solo singers in the world Queen Bey has a team in her corner to get her to where she is today!

We should never feel like our emotions or journey will hold others back – like they won’t care or won’t want to listen nor help.

We should be raised to feel a sense of empowerment within our own self to have the courage to talk about things that others don’t because at the end of the day the only way you will EVER achieve absolutely anything – and I mean ANYTHING – is if you have a team in your corner.

Lets look at it from a couple different perspectives…

#1 Starting your fitness journey.

ALONE: The weather is getting better and it’s time nearly time for the new year , new me bullshit – you know pretty well by now that you’ll hate yourself after binge eating all weekend BUT its okay because you’ll start your fitness journey ‘Monday’ BUT you REALLY know damn well it’ll last until Wednesday, maybe Thursday on a good week because you can’t resist that block of chocolate. Same with training you’ll hit all your sessions for a week but ya’ know it’s a busy time of year so one session this week will do. Meh I haven’t really planned anything anyways…. Maybe next year – this year isn’t for me.

TEAM: The weather is getting better and you’re already on track to hitting your goals because you’ve sat down and told your partner what you want to achieve – you’ve then worked with him to clean your diet up at home and for him to hold you accountable when it comes to the no self-control by Wednesday AKA if you see a freddo in my hand please slap it out and replace it with an apple. You’ve told your friends about the goals you want to hit and they say it sounds awesome and exactly what they need to get their arse into gear too – you’ve just added to your wolf pack. You join a gym and find a coach that will be on your arse if you miss your training sessions – you have set days/times each week and your trainer records your attendance and holds you accountable to hit ALL my sessions no matter what because even tho it’s a busy time of year out of the 24 hours a day you can set side time to train.

#2 Coping with a mental health/health issues.

ALONE: You’re feeling down – no one understands what you’re going through and you don’t want to be a burden to anyone and come across as the annoying downer all the time. You hide your issues from friends and family – isolating yourself because no one will get it. You awkwardly avoid conversation and situations where you know you’ll feel uncomfortable. You play it off to the public like you’re okay, it’s just easier that way. You cry – alone – no one can know you can’t deal with it. After 5 minutes of crying you tell yourself to pull it together – why should you be crying there is always someone worse off then you? You break bonds with those around you and become distant. The smallest things can set you off people think you’re too sensitive when if fact its got nothing to do with that small thing but everything do to with the demons that have been building up. This is you now.

TEAM: You be open and honest with your partner. It’s a hard conversation – you’ll cry. Crying is okay because afterwards you feel the weigh instantly lifted off your shoulders. You have nothing to hide. You open up to family/friends – they open their arms and their hearts and explain to you that them too struggle with certain issues. Wow maybe this is way more common then I thought? Socially people understand your situations and respect it – I can’t believe people actually care? You receive messages from strangers being so grateful for opening up and sharing your story because they to were having the exact same issues and thought they were alone. Another person even messages you telling you about this amazing therapy that helped them tremendously – you’ve never heard of it but give it a go – it works. You are no longer a slave to your emotions – you are open, respected and confident. This is you now.

#3 You want to pursue your passion as your career choice/become successful/progress in any way shape or form.

ALONE: You know what you want to be – you’ve dreamt about it for a while now but don’t really tell anyone – they wont be interested and will think you are silly. You don’t really know where to start? You could ask someone in that same field and reach out to them for some advice and help but that’s weird – I mean you don’t know them and as if they would want to help you – they are like insta-famous so they are probably obnoxious and have better things to do with their time. You’ve got a job and your pretty content maybe it is just easier to stay in this 9-5 rather then follow what I love doing. I probably couldn’t be one of those people that get anywhere anyways.

TEAM: It’s time to dive whole-heartily into your passion. It is scary but what is even scarier is living a life you’re never fully happy with – to be mediocre. You follow, learn and expand from your idols – you even sent one of them a message and they replied with all this information for people to follow and courses to do to help you – your family is super supportive and your partner even understands that you don’t like what you’re doing and is happy for you to change the course of your career. You reached out to business to do some work experience hours and they said yes – the ball is finally rolling and you are READY!!!!

No matter the scenario you will NEVER progress without a team on your side.

The trick is to realise no-one is against you – it is you against yourself.

The voices of doubt in your head are only that – voices – rise above and find your tribe that are waiting – surround yourself with the right people and watch your world change.

So no matter how lonely you may feel at times know your team has your back, it does not make you a weaker person to ask for help. It takes courage and strength to know you can’t go it alone and once you reach out for it there will be a hand right there waiting for you.

Stay Strong & Stretch,
Tel X