Why You Should Stop Chasing Thin and Start Chasing Power

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You see yourself when you are getting dressed and instantly begin doing the usual calculations. How would I look better? If my waist were smaller? If my arms appeared slimmer? If my jeans were slightly more loose-fitting? Many women have been trained to view their bodies as an ongoing “before” photo. For many years, this has meant that the goal is the same: to occupy less space. It’s easy to think of this mentality as typical because it is typical. This type of mentality is also draining.

Viewing Thinness As A Long-Term Goal

Many people will tell you that they want to “get toned,” however, what they typically mean by this is “be smaller without appearing weak.” This is likely to lead to behaviors built upon restrictions. Smaller meals. More Cardio. Feeling guilty after consuming something that is perceived as overly filling.

The main problem with having “thinness” as the only goal is that there is very little to base your body on. This creates an environment where you are thinking about how you look instead of how you function. Even though you may have lost weight, you can still feel fatigued when carrying groceries, lifting suitcases, or just getting through the day.

Misunderstanding Discipline as Weakness 

The most common misinterpretation is when women are praised for being physically unimpressive. The refusal to eat can be perceived as a way to show self-control. A diet consisting of an inadequate number of calories can be perceived as disciplined. When women refuse to lift heavy weights, it can be perceived as the ultimate feminine quality in many social environments. 

Dizziness, chronic muscle soreness, or a fear of bulking up will typically indicate that your regimen is not working properly. Typically, these symptoms occur because your body has not been sufficiently fed or developed. 

Rather than worrying about how you look, Strength Training teaches you to worry about how well you function. Do you do a full squat? Can you carry all of your grocery bags at once? Can you pick up your child without feeling pain in your lower back afterward? These changes make a difference in your day-to-day activities; they have no relevance to photographs.

Neglecting The Mental Implications Of What Building Power Does

The physical development of increased strength often has a direct relationship with how we perceive our body. In general, the process of developing greater strength allows us to stop viewing our body as a never-ending project. We can see the improvements in our functional capacity as well as the results of our training. For example, when lifting heavier weights than before. When sitting or standing for long periods of time, your posture improves. 

These types of achievements are tangible. They tend to create a calmer environment than constantly weighing yourself. Building power does not necessarily mean you stop caring about how you appear. It means that appearance will no longer be the primary method to evaluate your worth. Developing strength through training can certainly help you achieve a particular physique, but it also develops self-confidence that is supported by evidence.