Let’s go back to the beginning of the 21st century, or late 2000s Disney Channel for a better representation; big butts were out and skinny was in, as was shown in the episode surrounding the topic of eating disorders on Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Inner thigh gaps were once all the rage and now we idealize being thicc and thin. Throughout most of my life, body trends have been shifting to what’s in and what isn’t, and like every trend, it can be quite difficult to keep up with society’s new demands, especially when it’s surrounding a part of myself that’s so unique and different—my body.
What Something Means To You Means Different To Others
The issue with all of the words used in the many kinds of media is that they’re all buzzwords with very subjective definitions, signifying that they hold different meanings to different people. The way I define “thin” is not the same as someone else, the same way my standards or ideals are different from another. At the end of the day, I may be changing myself in some way, whether that be dieting or working out, for characteristics that are ever-changing.
Just how there are fashion trends and food trends, body trends have also become so meaningful in one’s life that it heavily influences the way in which we view our bodies. In general, it’s easy to think that my body is never good enough because it doesn’t look exactly like the men and women I see on Instagram, in magazines, or on television.
It isn’t to say that their bodies can’t be considered nice or that we can’t achieve something we can’t already see, it’s more so the effect this has on our mental health—the perspective we create that we’re constantly working towards a certain figure, which can cause us to neglect our body right now.
Reaching Acceptance
The most difficult phase, prior to change, is acceptance. We need to accept that we can’t always sculpt or work ourselves to our ideal. We need to decipher what’s realistic and genetically impossible and what isn’t. For someone who’s standing proud at 5’1, I have to accept that I’ll never be just a few inches taller, unless I want to wear heeled shoes every day.
I’m joking, but back to being serious, I’ll use professional pop pilates trainer Cassey Ho as an example, as she has been both in the social media and pilates business for years.
I’ve been following Cassey’s workouts on Youtube since 2014. I even used to do her self-made calendars. A trait of hers that has always stood out since my discovery is her ‘soft body,’ as she calls it.
Everyone knows that she’s healthy and fit, but why does her body not look like one of those extremely toned and muscular men and women who also train for a profession? On her website and her social media, she’s always promoting the fact that every body is different, therefore you should always love yours throughout your fitness journey, and I for one, wholeheartedly agree.
Remember that your body already does so much for you, by taking you to places, digesting the food you like to eat, and much more. Remember that it’s all about your mindset and your perspective on how you choose to see other bodies which influences your overall attitude towards body trends. Remember to be aware that like every trend, body trends are ever-changing, and the most important aspect that should stay the same is the love you have for your body.