Imperfectly Me

I have been a personal trainer for many years; in particular specialising in pre and post natal and transformation training in women. I love my job. I get to build relationships with clients and help them overcome their body and confidence issues, often when they are faced with a body that appears alien to them after having a baby - and may never look quite as it did before.

It's a wonderful thing to help others regain confidence and improve their mental wellbeing through physical changes - becoming healthier, fitter, stronger and leaner. Accepting our imperfections is what makes us all perfect in our own unique way. It's an issue close to my heart and something I help people with every day.

As a PT I come across women in my day-to-day job who are focussing on what they perceive to be their imperfections. Many of these ‘imperfections’ are social constructs, born from comparing our real-life selves with someone else’s highlight reel which we see through social media and magazines etc.

I too have ‘imperfections’:

• I cram too much into my schedule so I am always rushing.

• I am trying to bring up my three daughters, run my business and help my clients to the upmost of my ability but I feel as though I am falling short on all three counts.

• I miss workouts and eat treats more often than I should.

• I have body insecurities especially about my belly button which has gone weird since my three pregnancies - I know that sounds strange or maybe insignificant but I put an undue focus on it and it really bothers me.

• I suffer from diastasis recti from my pregnancies and sciatica resulting from 3 herniated spinal discs due to a sports injury I had a decade ago.

However, let’s just pause for a minute. What if we start thinking that these imperfections are actually what makes us perfect. Perfectly imperfect.

Perfect in our imperfect state of being. Doesn’t that thought fill you with excitement and hope?

Taking a deep breath and accepting ourselves for the way we are opens up a whole host of opportunities.

What happens if we stop the negative self-talk and self-judgement? The positive-mantras and self-motivational voices will be heard much louder.

What happens if we stop focusing on what our body looks like, or what it can’t do and turn our attention to what it can do? We will achieve more. We will live more.

I believe that if we can learn to accept and embrace our imperfections and realise that they have beauty in them such as the lessons we have learnt from them and the strength they have given us, this will allow us to strive to become a better version of our unique, perfectly-imperfect selves.

We also need to accept that our journey there will be imperfect too. There will set

backs and slip ups - but that this is okay - we will continue to strive for self improvement.

Our imperfections are our springboards to becoming the strongest version of ourselves we can possibly be. They are just perfect in that way :)

Lucy

For more Fitness tips and inspiration, check out the Fitness Runs in the Family blog.

#motherhood #wellness