I hear this a lot: "Roz, how do I change my body?"
If you want to change your body, first ask yourself why. If the reason is to feel better, then great. If the reason is to get in line with external pressures of what you think you should look like, then let's go for coffee on that one.
If you want to change your body to feel more vibrant and alive and better all around - there are a tonne of ways to do this.
You can feel more vibrant by taking up dancing or trying acro yoga or going for a hike or a run or just getting outside in nature. You can feel more alive by feeding your body foods in their most natural state and stop eating when you’re full. You can feel better all around by changing your perception of your body in its current state (which is amazing by the way).
I could write another whole column on how changing your thoughts + beliefs around your body image is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Now, if you do all these things and you’re still interested in changing your body and we’re now talking about the composition ratio of muscle: fat, then we will go there - you have to change your output: input ratio.
Let’s clarify
Output is what is required of your body's energy systems to go about your day (movement).
Input is what you put in your body (fuel).
Now, let’s simplify
If you don't move more or change your eating habits, your body won't change.
If you put in the same amount of energy that goes out, the ratio will be 1:1. that's equal. also known as the same. nothing changes. that part is actually science... but not rocket science...
I'm not a scientist but I do know this: if you change what you're eating for the better (consuming more quality food as a balanced diet) and you don't change how much you're moving, you can make change. if you increase how much you're moving and keep your eating habits the same, you can make change (to a certain extent).
Listen close to this one
If you increase the quality of what you're putting in your body and increase the amount of minutes/days/intensity of movement, you.will.change.your.body.composition. I have a degree in human kinetics but that wasn't where I learned this. I learned this when I started my own path of healthy living and figured out what worked for me to make me feel really good!
There is no one right way.
Know that changing your body is not guaranteed to make you happier or a better person. I have no attachment to whether you want to or do change your body. I do, however, care how you feel. I care a lot actually. This is part of why I do what I do. I’m a trainer and a yoga teacher - both involve movement. Both involve eating well in order to sustain the energy that I want to live with. I want that for you! I want you to feel really good. I want you to enjoy your body. I want you to feel good in your favourite hot jeans. I want you to feel equally as good in your sweatpants too. I want you to enjoy more moments in life with the people you love most. Feeling vibrant + alive… You deserve all of that and more.
happy spring sunday,
xx
