Everyone wants a bikini body, but how about the health benefits associated with being active? With Autumn in full swing, the pressure of looking “bikini ready” has been put on the shelf until summer 2021. For many, this means freezing your gym membership until next May, when the temperature starts welcoming back beach days. Despite this typical pattern, I encourage you to make this year different. Take this time to shift your mindset away from what you see on the outside and instead, focus on what lies within.
Being active is known to have countless benefits for your physical and mental well-being, but let me assure you that I am not asking you to drop and give me 50. Instead, I want you to breathe. With each breath, I want you to shake the image of the perfect bikini body from your mind and focus on what is most important, your health. Think about your physical well-being and about the amazing things our bodies are capable of. Think about your state of mind and about how awesome it is that you can be in your own space right now, reading this article. Consider your emotional health and realize how cool it is to be able to feel passion, joy, fear, surprise. Chloe Ting’s Summer Shred Challenge might have motivated you to get started, but your overall health should be what drives you to keep going.
We are all guilty of comparing our physical selves to others in some way, shape, or form, but you are worth so much more than the skin that covers your body. Exploring far beyond looking good in your new Zaful swimsuit, working out is about developing self-discipline, reducing stress, releasing endorphins to energize your spirit, and improving your productivity. Imagine feeling more in control of your thoughts, or seeing stress as something that is able to come and go. Picture getting all of the things on your to-do list done. It is not always easy, but it is all possible if you slowly shift your focus to taking care of yourself from the inside out. This workout regime which was once a summer challenge, has just become a lifestyle change.
So, I encourage you to go on that walk, do that 15-minute ab circuit you found on your IG explore page, have a dance party with your friends. I will cheer you on as you do all of these things and more, because it feels right inside. The rest will fall into place, I promise.