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Tip of the Day: “Does she really look like that?” Have you ever looked at the girl on the cover of a magazine, a fit chick on social media, or even me and asked yourself that question?? Unlike many, I’m not at all offended by it! In fact, I give you major kudos for taking a second to consider if everything you see and read is accurate.
When I was writing this blog post, I couldn’t help but take a mental trip down memory lane. When I was in middle school, I spent hours on the Internet, researching topics like, “how to get abs,” “ab workouts,” “healthy snack ideas,” and “toning workouts.” Off of my parent’s computer, I printed out more workouts, tips, and recipes that I can even estimate. I “worked out” in my pink childhood bedroom. The bottom line is everyone starts somewhere. Because I used the Internet and took other’s advice so much in my own journey, I am incredibly passionate about putting out quality, honest, and accurate.
So, yesterday, I posted t h i s photo on my Instagram and I received the comment, “do you flex in these pictures” from Heidi (( thank you Heidi – you inspired me to write this tip ))
The short answer to that question is yes, I am contracting my core in the pictures.
I’ve included several pictures below to show the differences between flexed and relaxed muscles. You can always count on me to give you honesty and the real deal dish…the vast majority of fitness figures you see on magazine covers or on your Instagram feed are flexed pictures. Flexing is not an illusion, but I did just want to show you what an “everyday” fitness physique looks like as well!
Learning to flex a muscle is as much of an art as is building up a muscle! In order to flex any muscle think of performing an exercise that would target that given muscle. For instance, to flex your bicep, act as if you’re doing a dumbbell curl. To contract your core, draw your belly button back into your spine and rotate.
I hope this helps shed some light onto fitness pictures you see floating around!
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Well I've been wondering about this, too! Thank you for being so honest and showing us what "relaxed" looks like.. though in your case both flexed and relaxed is equally impressive in my opinion:) I love your fresh honest approach to blogging thanks you never ever fail to motivate.. xoxo
Hi there!
Thanks you! I agree…I'm happy with how I look flexed and relaxed! There is a slight difference but I can think back to the times before I knew how to "flex" my mid section and I saw pictures like the ones I now post and thought, "how does she look like that."
So, just trying to keep it as real as possible. You all deserve that 🙂 Thank you for your kind comment!
XO,
Lauren