4 Keys to Staying Positive about Your Body and Progress

Body positivity is a term you hear a lot these days. But it isn’t a term that’s exclusive to women. Both men and women today struggle to feel positive about their body…even when they already look great. And those feelings are especially prevalent in the fitness world. And how can it not be? From the daily filtered photos of jacked and shredded athletes on Facebook and Instagram, to the rapid transformations of Hollywood’s superheros, we are bombarded with images of incredible bodies. So yeah, it can be hard to keep perspective and feel good about your body and progress.

If you catch yourself feeling that way though, worry not. Here are 4 keys you can use to help you stay positive about your body and progress, no matter where you’re at on your fitness journey.

KEY #1: BUILD YOUR OWN BRAND OF FREAKY

What does Chris Hemsworth’s, Hugh Jackman’s, and The Rock’s physique all have in common? Nothing at all. Chris Hemsworth is tall with crazy thick triceps and impressive arms. Hugh Jackman gets peeled to the bone for his role as Wolverine. And the Rock…that dude is JACKED. The point is, each person’s physique is impressive for very different reasons. You could say they’ve built their own brand of freaky. And so should you. I realize this is way easier said than done. But the truth remains. It’s wasted energy to compare your body to others. You have your own unique metabolism, muscle structure, and strengths. Just like they do. So don’t hold yourself to standards that aren’t realistic for your body type or muscle structure. Get focused on your strengths…what stands out about you…and build on it. Maybe you have crazy bicep peaks, or great vascularity in your forearms. Maybe your shoulders are very broad, or your metabolism burns faster than a lamborghini and you can get crazy ripped. Whatever stands out about your body, find it. Be proud of it. And build your own brand of freaky around it.

KEY #2: DON’T FORGET WHAT YOU’VE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED

This seems like a no brainer, but we all need a reminder from time to time. Think back to when you first started. What have you accomplished since then? Are you leaner than before, more muscular, better conditioned? Maybe you’re a few weeks into a new program. What’s changed since you’ve started? Maybe your reps are going up, or you’ve added 10 lbs to your bench press already. Maybe your face is looking leaner, your muscle endurance has improved, or a certain muscle group is already looking bigger. The point is, if you’re dialed into your training and nutrition, there’s progress all around you, both big and small. Acknowledge it. You’ve worked hard for what you have. So be proud of it.

KEY #3: BE PATIENT

Great bodies take a great amount of time to create. They’re not made in 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or even a year. So don’t get down on yourself and expect yours to be. Great bodies are the result of people consistently doing a whole bunch of little things right, over and over…and over and over and over again. Just like you have done. And just like you are doing today. You might not be exactly where you want to be, but who ever really is? So stay focus on what you can do today. Hit your macros for the day. Bring the intensity to your workout. Limit your alcohol intake to 1-2 drinks per week. Supplement smart. And get plenty rest.

Consistency is the #1 difference between men and women who rock great bodies, and those who don’t. So be patient with yourself. Take it one day at a time. Be consistent like you have been. And you’ll only continue to improve, just like you’ve already improved so much from when you first started.

KEY #4: SET OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE GOALS

Finally, let’s talk about goals. You want to set objectively verifiable goals. These are goals that you can measure, and they’re critical to remaining positive about your body and progress. Don’t let yourself get away with saying things like “I want to get bigger”, “I want to get shredded”, or “I want bigger arms.” Those are vague goals. You have no way of knowing when you reach them. And so you never really get to feel proud and positive about yourself. Instead, set goals like “I want add 5lbs of lean muscle while maintaining my current body fat,” “I want to get down to 8% body fat,” or “I want to add 1 inch to my arms.”

These are goals with outcomes you can measure. You’ll know exactly when you reach them. And it’s going to feel damn good when you do!

Original source : 4 keys to staying positive about your body and progress