Written by Alson Comeau, MPH, RDN, LDN and owner of Nourish by Aly
Today’s tip is about running and body image! As athletes/runners we can sometimes get caught up in having that “perfect physique” or “runners body.” Here’s the thing – no such “body” exists! To have a runners oft we need 2 things; a body and to go for a run. Every BODY is different and unique and that’s what makes us so special. How boring it would be if we all looked exactly the same. Trying to achieve such impossible, unattainable perfection can have negative impacts on our performance, especially if we are under fueling!!
Bodies are unique and also change over time. You could spend your entire life chasing the “perfect body” and will continue to wind up unsatisfied. Body image is how your BRAIN perceives your body – it’s a mindset shift that will not be fixed simply with body change. Pssst 🤫your body was never the problem!! Even if you ate the same exact way as someone who has your “desirable body type” you would still have a body individual to YOU.
Here are some things you can do include if you are struggling with body image:
•practice neutral body affirmations (I have a body, I have arms, I have legs, I have a butt) these affirmations are not overly positive or negative they just ARE, it just IS.
•NOURISH YOUR BODY!! Adequate nourishment for your body, running demands, and brain!
•set goals that are performance based (increasing mileage, improving times, feeling more energized)
I’ll leave you with some gentle reminders:
•you cannot hate yourself into a body you love – move forward with grace, speak to yourself with kindness
•your shape / size does not define you as a runner
•obtain a runners body in 2 ways
1. Having a body
2. Run
Today’s tip is about running and body image! As athletes/runners we can sometimes get caught up in having that “perfect physique” or “runners body.” Here’s the thing – no such “body” exists! To have a runners oft we need 2 things; a body and to go for a run. Every BODY is different and unique and that’s what makes us so special. How boring it would be if we all looked exactly the same. Trying to achieve such impossible, unattainable perfection can have negative impacts on our performance, especially if we are under fueling!!
Bodies are unique and also change over time. You could spend your entire life chasing the “perfect body” and will continue to wind up unsatisfied. Body image is how your BRAIN perceives your body – it’s a mindset shift that will not be fixed simply with body change. Pssst 🤫your body was never the problem!! Even if you ate the same exact way as someone who has your “desirable body type” you would still have a body individual to YOU.
Here are some things you can do include if you are struggling with body image:
•practice neutral body affirmations (I have a body, I have arms, I have legs, I have a butt) these affirmations are not overly positive or negative they just ARE, it just IS.
•NOURISH YOUR BODY!! Adequate nourishment for your body, running demands, and brain!
•set goals that are performance based (increasing mileage, improving times, feeling more energized)
I’ll leave you with some gentle reminders:
•you cannot hate yourself into a body you love – move forward with grace, speak to yourself with kindness
•your shape / size does not define you as a runner
•obtain a runners body in 2 ways
1. Having a body
2. Run
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