Body Dysmorphia
I have been working in the fitness industry since 2006. Initially, I started as a Zumba/Dance Fitness instructor. However, I noticed that fitness professionals didn't consider me as one of them. This led me to pursue more certifications in the fitness industry. Eventually, I acquired more than 20 group fitness and national certifications. Despite this, I felt that dancing was special to me. It provided me with a sense of connection with my body and happiness that other workouts didn't.
Later on, I presented for one of the biggest Dance Fitness companies globally. There, I encountered many people who were unhappy with their bodies. However, I saw them as perfect. Unfortunately, my insecurities got the best of me, and I began to put more effort into the way I looked. I needed to play the part, so I got more involved in the world of fitness. This is when I realized that my colleagues, including professional bodybuilders, were all struggling with Body Dysmorphia.
Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws may not even be noticeable to others. It can be challenging to deal with this condition as it can lead to constant self-criticism and dissatisfaction with one's appearance.
I never realized I had an issue with my body until I started scrutinizing myself in the mirror. I would always find flaws and wish I could change them. I was never happy with my size, always thinking I needed to be thinner. It's exhausting to feel uncomfortable with oneself and to constantly compare oneself to others. The industry didn’t help either, everyone you saw “coming out or making it” was a specific look: young, thin, some sort of surgery, lots of makeup for working out, lashes, you get the point. The funny thing is that my admiration was always towards the older and stronger ladies making an impact in the industry.
I sometimes wanted to blame the industry I work in for not being inclusive or the companies that made me feel unworthy for not looking the part. However, I realized that I was responsible for allowing these ideologies to take hold in my head. And like me, anyone working in front of the public we need to stand up and continue to shine the light to others.
Today, I try my best to be an inspiration to younger dancers or people I train encouraging them to embrace who they are.
This year, at my heaviest weight, I made a decision to challenge myself by wearing crop tops and shorts, two things that I was always afraid of wearing. I never did it because I thought I would never look perfect enough or I would put it off for “someday” when I would have the perfect body that everyone, including myself, would admire. I hope that by doing this, even though it makes me uncomfortable, I can look back and see a brave individual who looked amazing at her age and learned to embrace who she was.
If you're struggling with body image issues, I encourage you to take a moment to acknowledge your feelings and seek help if needed. But also, challenge your self to practice Body Appreciation Exercises that will help with embracing with WHO YOU ARE and not HOW YOU LOOK.
It's important to remember that everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way, and we shouldn't let our current appearance take away from our self-love.
Below you can find some things I practice daily to help me love myself a little more. You are beautiful just the way you are!
DAILY BODY APPRECIATION EXERCISES
1) Give yourself a DAILY HUG
2) Give yourself a HIGH FIVE in front of the mirror
3) Appreciate your good qualities by COMPLIMENTING yourself
4) WEAR THAT OUTFIT you've been putting off
5) Smile! You ARE NOT ALONE
