The Valuable Lesson I Learned From Being Photoshopped

This week, Hollywood actress Kerry Washington called out Adweek Magazine regarding their photoshop work on her most recent cover, which left her almost non-recognizable.

This had me reminiscing about my own experience with being photoshopped, and I thought this would be the perfect time to share the valuable lesson I learned from that adventure.

You see, in the past I would cover my home gym’s walls with photos from my favorite fitness models and competitors. I would day dream about having their six pack, and wish on shooting stars for their glutes. It wasn’t until I graced the pages of a few fitness magazines, & after doing a fitness competition, that I realized my error in picking these fitness models as my body role models. 

Now, let me start by saying I am in no way putting down the fitness industry, the photographers, or the models. I adore this industry and I continue to purchase fitness magazines if they are filled with great content. But the lesson I learned is this: Do not aspire to look like the women in the fitness magazines. That would be the equivalent to wanting to be able to fly because you saw someone in a movie (thanks to the magic of CGI) do it. It’s not realistic.

Sure, you can train hard and get lean enough to have your six pack and gravity-defying glutes, but you won’t look like those models. Why? For starters, because they don’t look like them. 
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In my latest video blog, I share my own experience and the misleading motivation I once relied on. 

As I stated in the video blog, if you are setting a fitness related goal there is no issue with looking at the models for inspiration, just so long as you realize the truth: that they are often dehydrated, fresh out of a fitness competition, with top of the line hair and makeup applied, and some photoshopped features to add on top of that. 

What I hate to hear is that people become discouraged because no matter how hard they try they can’t look like “that”. And as someone who has been in a few fitness magazines, I’m letting you know that I’m right there with you. I don’t look like that either. And to be even more honest, I will probably never look like that again, because I would not subject myself to the unhealthy methods I followed for my fitness competition back in 2014 to get that desired look.

What I am challenging you all to do on your fitness journey is this:

• Recognize that your body is 100% unique, therefore, you cannot build a body like me, a fitness model, or a person down the street. Embrace your body, and understand that your body will look completely authentic to you. 
• Love yourself each step of the way. So you might have a little weight you’d like to lose, that’s fine. Learn to love and accept yourself in every stage of your transformation. Don’t decide that you’ll only love yourself when you look like the models in the fitness magazines, because you’ll be waiting a while, at least until you set up a photoshoot with an awesome photographer who can photoshop you up like them!
• Understand that although fitness models bodies may look incredible, often they are not healthy. I know of many women in the fitness competition circuit who do not get regular periods because their body fat % is too low. The dehydration some people go through to look so lean and cut in their photoshoots is terribly unhealthy. I’m not saying every fitness model goes to these extremes, but many do. Strive to be healthy above all else, aesthetics are great but no one wants to be the fittest person in the graveyard.

If you’re looking for a way to find a healthy, balanced approach to building the body of your dreams I have some super exciting news: I’m hosting a FREE webinar event on April 21st at 6pm MT {5pm PT & 8pm ET} and it’s focused on transforming your body by incorporating your body-mind-spirit. 

To register for this free event, click on the “Forget These Fitness Myths & Get the Results You Deserve” link here.

I really truly believe that I have the tools and concepts that will help you move past any blocks you've been experiencing, and once you've mastered a physical transformation of your body, the skies the limits on what you can reclaim in your life.

I look forward to "seeing" you all there, 
-L.K.