The problem with #TransformationTuesday: Why you should stop demonizing your “Before” self

For some, killer transformation photos are the reason they do this whole fitness thing in the first place.

Scan any #TransformationTuesday hashtag and you’ll see a common theme: Phrases like “I can’t believe I allowed myself to be that big” or “I feel so disgusted looking at the left photo” echo like a comedic soundboard as you scroll through endless left-right comparisons.

There is undoubtedly a lot of work and dedication that go into any transformation photo – no matter how small the changes are. However, what’s problematic is the self-deprecating talk. This isn’t a contest for how many euphemisms for fat you can string together in a single Instagram caption. Embracing fitness and fitting an active lifestyle into your routine should improve you. Making everything about the tangible results isn’t the point.

For me, fitness quite literally saved my life. I found purpose and found my sport – something my nine year-old wheezing, soccer-playing self wouldn’t have ever dreamt of. In my 20’s and after a bad break up, I found an outlet for my sad energy. Instead of letting inferiority and heartbreak stew and simmer deep inside of me, physically pushing, running, or stomping it out gave me a sense of control over my emotions I didn’t have before. My initial goals were transformational in nature, but today, I am much more appreciative of the confidence and drive fitness and gym-going have given me. It’s a priceless gift that I encourage everyone embarking on a fitness journey to find for themselves – whatever your “fitness” is.

That gift is precisely the reason why you shouldn’t discount that girl/guy on the left. You gave yourself that gift in the moment you decided to make a change. As much as it hurts to look at your left hand-self, that’s still you in that photo. I admire Left-Me for taking the steps (baby-sized and giant) towards where I am today. I went from a predominantly sedentary lifestyle of work, home, study, repeat to fitting in activity where I could, and finally to committing to a sport I love. I admire the strength (both the figurative and literal kind) it took for Before-Me to get where I am today. I respect myself, present and past, for all of the progress and decisions made thus far.

Don’t get hung up on the “I wishes” of life. Many times I have scolded myself for not incorporating working out earlier in my life, but what matters is that I’m here today and thoroughly enjoying my fitness routine. It’s never too late to start something new – whether it’s fitness, a new book, or learning opportunity. Focus on the You that exists, lives, breathes in this moment and not on your unchangeable past.

Real SHREDZ or just SCAMZ?

If you’re starting a new fitness routine, what made you start? For most people, the inspiration comes from the myriad of models that spam Instagram with their workout or beach bod selfies. You’ll see the comments full of exclamations of admiration with hashtags like #goals, #inspo, or even a simple heart-faced emoji.

While it’s fine to have role models, it’s problematic to put these staged photos on an “ideal-body” pedestal. A personal anecdote: I remember when I first started at the gym, I had a photo of Paige Hathaway as my phone’s background. Her chiseled abs were meant to stare right into my fat-self’s soul and inspire me to run that extra mile and continue that plank for just 10 more seconds. But what we see on Instagram are filters, flattering poses/angles, and in some cases, even Photoshop or editing. We’re warned about catfish in online dating, but what makes the fitness industry so different?

It’s unfortunate that fitness is yes, an INDUSTRY. Without people desperate for results, supplement companies would collapse. Supplements are meant to do just that: supplement your active lifestyle while paired with a balanced diet. No supplement will get you an Arnold physique in 30 days.

Looking back, though, I was impressionable four years ago. I had no idea how this fitness thing worked. I do the cardio and then I do the weights. What else? Now I know that maintaining a lean physique extends from the gym into your overall lifestyle. You need to kick the junk food and nights out drinking and instead lift weights with good form and do cardio as needed. My fellow gym goers know that no 30 day Squat Challenge will take you from pancake butt to Kim K. Sculpting and building take time, but I can see from my own experience how tempting it was to look for the easy way out.

Adobe GainZ: SHREDZ as a Case Study

Okay, so if you’re involved in the fitness online community, you probably know who SHREDZ are. If not, here’s what you need to know:

Since 2012, SHREDZ has been supplement-focused fitness company based in the US. You won’t find any of SHREDZ’s ads on late-night infomercials promoting the next revolutionary fitness contraption. Instead, SHREDZ dominated the social media sphere by pairing with fitness models/athletes and (using? not using?) their collection of fat burners. Elaborate photoshoots act as strong, visual rhetorical pieces and allowed SHREDZ to quickly permeate the timelines of many Instagram users.

While their initial intentions were to help people reach their physique goals, even the CEO of SHREDZ admits that they are more of a marketing firm than a supplement company. Shifting the focus of your company from self-betterment to pure profit sure does wonders for your credibility and reputation (#saidnooneever).

And yet, people continue to be hypnotized (myself included) by Paige Hathaway’s washboard abs. SHREDZ is now a multi-million dollar fitness company, and it’s all because of their digital marketing and con artists sponsored athletes.

Recently, SHREDZ did some damage control by firing one of their athletes, Devin Physique. Devin photoshopped and maneuvered his way to becoming one of the most followed fitness accounts on Instagram… but at least he apologized:

“I just want to say sorry to all of you guys if I let any of you down by touching up my photos.”

Whether this will create a fraudulent fallout is unknown. Paige Hathaway continues to gain followers and lure customers into her 30 day challenges (which cost $200 to just participate). And while no one can maintain a flawless physique year round, it’s no doubt that Adobe helps these athletes make their living.

The Takeaway?

Have someone who is an inspiration to you, absolutely! But do your research: what are these people promoting? Is fitness to them only achieving a dream body? To me, fitness is much more than that. Fitness should be making you a healthier and happier person – the bangin’ bod is just an awesome bonus. I much prefer supplement companies and athletes that recognize that. I’m a normal person. Just a regular human being who goes to work every day and goes to the gym. I don’t want to funnel all of my hard-earned money towards Paige Hathaway’s next surgery or software renewal. I might not ever compete in powerlifting or bodybuilding, but I’m using supplements to fuel, not magically sculpt, my body.

Nutrition: What you need to know

When you lose 40+lbs, you start getting questions: how’d you do it? What are your workouts like? Can you recommend a meal plan? The truth is, it’s taken me 3 years of experimenting with fitness and nutrition to find the perfect combination for me.

I’m not a nutritionist, so really the only things I can recommend are consistency and dedication. While your workouts are important, the real magic happens in the kitchen. Anyone can go and workout for 2 hours but it takes real commitment to keep nutrition at the forefront. Before you jump into the next fad diet, detox, or juice cleanse you scroll over on Instagram, here are a few things you need to consider about your food preferences and your meal strategy:

Feed your needs

I’ve shared that I grew up with food and that food was there for me emotionally whenever I needed it. In the moments when I was eating, everything was okay. It didn’t matter if I was sad, happy, angry – food was comfort.

I still reach for that unnecessary slice of pie when I feel stressed or even as a reward for myself. What’s different now is that I don’t overindulge (or I try not to). Ignoring my cravings just made me more agitated. Combine a shitty mood with an intense workout and you get SURPRISE! an even shittier mood. Have you ever tried to deadlift your 1RM on a stomach full of baby carrots? I don’t recommend it.

I use flexible dieting because it gives me enough freedom to have the odd donut and still see results. I can eat carbs before a heavy lifting sesh and get the most out of my workouts. Evaluate your goals (strength, marathons, fitness competitor etc.) alongside your individual preferences and then go from there.

Lifestyle

Hey, diet! Don’t tell me how to live my life!

A lot of nutrition gurus might call bullshit on this one, but I think your lifestyle is totally valid in this decision making process.

Do you travel a lot? Constantly on your feet all day with minimal breaks? Strapped for cash? All of these reasons factor into your food choices whether you like to admit it or not. You can be the meal prepping MASTER and still succumb to on-the-run food choices.

In my case, I work part-time (no food or drinks allowed on the sales floor) and don’t make a lot of money (no extra cash for ultra-organic food). Sometimes, my study snack involves protein oats and poptarts. They’re quick, in my fridge, and satisfying. That being said, I make sure that these things fit my macronutrients  for the day. If I’m travelling, there’s no guarantee that there will be a microwave and a minifridge where I’m going. My flexible diet allows me to eat out at restaurants with relative ease. If you’re not willing to give up girl’s night at your fav wine-o joint (I hate to tell you this, but wine has carbs) , maybe that no-carb diet isn’t so great for you.

That being said, there are options if you still want the occasional high-carb refeed. Here’s a great into to carb cycling from Bodybuilding.com.

Don’t be afraid to test drive

I think I’m one of the few people who “diet” and can say they genuinely enjoy their nutrition plan. I didn’t get to this point, though, without some trial and error. Tried paleo, hated it. Tried eating clean, binged on chocolate every 2 days. Your nutrition plan should complement you. Research some nutrition plans that interest you and fit your goals and experiment.

I have the utmost respect for people that eat paleo because it is damn hard. Whole 30 is a great program that allows you to try before you commit to paleo indefinitely. Hey, it’s only 30 days. So if after 30 days it’s not your thing, you didn’t waste 6 months of your time grumbling about missing butter.

Masterpieces aren’t made in a night

Nutrition is probably the most difficult part of any wellness goal. It’s important to know that there will be some growing pains on starting any diet or nutrition plan. You won’t be and aren’t perfect – no one is. The most important part is not eating right but waking up each day and making the conscious decision to keep at it and get back up if you’ve strayed from the path.