Aimed at women - being imperfect is normal

Nowadays, women are bombarded from all sides with pictures of perfect Instagram beauties with seemingly perfect figures and lives. It's no wonder then that many women suffer from feelings of inferiority and throw themselves into all sorts of crazy diets. Therefore, it's time to remind ourselves that the number on the scale does not determine our worth and being imperfect is normal.

The glitz and gloom of social media

Instagram and other social networks are undoubtedly a great thing, we can share our photos, experiences, opinions and get inspired by what others post on them. What we already forget is that most only share a sort of enhanced version of their lives. It's natural for women (and not only women) to compare themselves to others and want to be better, but do they always compare themselves to something that is real? A good photo angle, pose and retouching can work wonders and turn an "ordinary" woman into an irresistible goddess. With the most watched beauties, you can often see that a skilled plastic surgeon has also had a hand in the work. But women don't seem to see this and take it into their heads that they want to look the same and believe that they will then have the same perfect life as their favourite influencer. They don't hesitate to invest huge sums of money for whatever the person in question recommends, seeing that they will achieve their dream goal.

The Instagram starlets don't lack business acumen, and that's why they are releasing sexy ass ebooks and diets like a treadmill. However, their quality could be disputed, as just because the person in question has managed to lose weight, has nice photos and thousands of followers does not mean that they really understand the subject. Of course, there are exceptions who really care about working with their clients and give them individual attention, but from what I see, they are unfortunately in the minority.

Changes on the female body

Over the course of a lifetime, a woman's body undergoes many changes, be it hormonal changes, pregnancy, changes caused by illness or (un)intentional weight loss and weight gain. As a result, stretch marks and sagging skin appear.

Stretch marks are scars in the connective tissue layer of the skin and occur as a natural response to rapid weight changes when increased demands are placed on the skin's elasticity. This skin defect then remains permanently imprinted on our bodies, a special laser used by doctors can significantly improve their appearance, but they never disappear completely.

With rapid weight loss, the skin does not have enough time to adapt to the new shape of our body and so skin overhangs remain (most commonly on the abdomen, breasts, arms and buttocks). Each woman's skin can react differently to weight changes, in terms of sagging skin after childbirth, some women's skin returns to its original state within a few months, for others it can take up to 2 years. However, if the weight loss is, for example, 40 kg or more in a short period of time, it is rather unlikely that the body will be able to cope with such an extreme change, and the only solution is surgical removal of the excess skin.

It is normal not to be perfect, to have stretch marks, cellulite, sagging skin, too small or large breasts or other imperfections. As you can see in the photos in this article, for example, cellulite does not at all mean that the person in question has too much fat or has not worked out, many women who play sports also have it. Cellulite is not a clear indicator of physical fitness, for many women it is genetically determined, simply put, they may have a low percentage of fat in the body, but a poorer quality of connective tissue in the thighs or disorders of the lymphatic system. Female sex hormones can also have an impact - cellulite is exacerbated by the use of hormonal contraceptives.

Why it makes sense to exercise, even if we may never look like fitness magazine models

1) Better mood and less stress

If we don't slack off on the strength training and give ourselves a good workout, we can enjoy the reward of endorphins (happy hormones). Some research also shows that regular exercise helps reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.

2) A firmed and sculpted physique

Working out regularly not only firms up our skin and sculpts our body proportions, but also improves posture, which can be seen at a glance.

3) Healthier heart and bones

The heart is the most important muscle and we must not forget it, cardio training (running, jumping rope, fast walking,...) has a significant impact on its functioning. Postmenopausal women have a greater risk of osteoporosis, which is related to the decrease in the production of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Working out is an excellent way to prevent bone loss. [6, 7]

4) Fat Burning

Strength training helps burn fat not only during the exercise itself but also after it, resting metabolic rate remains elevated for up to 38 hours after weight training. The more muscle mass we have, the more calories our body burns, even when we are in resting mode (resting, watching TV).

5) More vital energy

Regular physical activity promotes heart and lung performance, increasing our strength and endurance. Women who play sports have more energy to carry out their daily duties.

Bottom line

Exercise and a healthy diet are the ideal way to feel better in your body. The world is full of fake beauties who look like each other, why not be your own person instead? Screw the flaws and focus on the strengths, we all have some, the main thing is to be healthy. Never put yourself down and appreciate yourself for every progress.

Image and information sources: bodybuilding.com, Emily Skye, diaryofafitmommyofficial, nienkke, medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com, Sarah Nicole Landry