#girlsthatlift

Despite the crying with laughter emoticons I am receiving from my skeleton pals regarding my hashtag 'girls that lift' this is a serious blog! Today in the gym I was paid two compliments; 1) You look tanned (yes, this is a compliment to me) and 2) your arms look big. Number 2 was met with a look of horror from me whilst Alex (S+C coach) tried to retract what he meant (something about improved posture!). But he was serious and meant what he said as a compliment. Unfortunately my arms (which for those of you that don't know are quite big for a girl) are an area which whilst I'd rather they were the way they are than flabby do make me feel self-conscious.

So yes. I am going to talk about female bodies in sport and in general hence the tongue in cheek title #girlsthatlift.

Where do I begin?

First of all I'd like to say that I do lift. So I have nothing against other women that do - in fact I think it's great that so many women embrace weight training because quite simply it's awesome. The growing popularity in cross-fit, weight training, bikini modelling all go some way to break down the stigma that the free weights are for men and women who lift are manly. However, the idea that you can be athletic, strong AND feminine is still challenged as are the women that play sport or use weights to train.

As a sportswoman myself I take great pride in my physique. And I am happy with the way I look; I wouldn't change a thing right now because it works for me and I need this body to achieve my goals in sport. But yes, like many other sportswomen I do worry about how I look in a crop top which shows abs, or a pair of skinny jeans which expose muscular thighs etc. etc. However, I am also well aware that women look at me or other sporty women with envy wishing they could have a flat stomach or toned arms. It's a tricky one because at the end of the day my body works for me and so what if a man at a bar comments on my bicep? If he prefers a bingo wing he is clearly not the man for me! On the flipside the sexualisation of women in sport is also upsetting, it's 2015 for goodness sake! But that's another blog.

When I look at my instagram for instance I see so many examples of women who are strong and attractive. Bikini models, yoga lovers, fellow sportswomen. They are all working their bodies hard on a daily basis to achieve their dream - why do people feel the need to make rude comments about their muscles or broad shoulders? Who would rather have a flat pancake bum over some actual shape and distinction between back and legs!? Not me. Or a muffin top over a toned stomach - who doesn't want Jess Ennis' abs? Not even mentioning that the training and diet that helps achieve these physiques is far superior to a lifestyle of no exercise and poor eating habits. Who will suffer more health problems - not the person that exercises on a regular basis and eats well. And don't even get me started on mental health - exercise works wonders for confidence, stress and anxiety management and general happiness.

What does annoy me though are the so called 'celebrities' that plaster their instagram with workout videos/pictures and plates of food! I am trying not to be a hypocrite here (I have been known to do this) but I just feel it belittles the people that have worked their ass of for years, struggled with money to achieve their dream in sport yet get a fraction of the recognition that Millie Mackintosh gets for putting a video of her PT led, 1 hour (probably), posh gym workout. Worse than that are 'celebs' that make money from a fitness video their face is on (Charlotte Crosby I am talking about you). Everyone is entitled to exercise and I encourage everyone to do so just don't throw it in the faces of people that can't afford a personal chef and trainer to push you every step of the way. And earn it. So many of the 'celebs' I am ranting about will put the weight back on because the lifestyle it requires to maintain it is exactly the opposite - not maintainable. Let's praise men and women who for exercise/training/fitness is a way of life, a means to make a living or realise a dream not a fad.

Anyway back to sport! I am currently battling with the idea that I may have to increase my mass for skeleton (had to mention it). The trend nowadays for women in skeleton is to be bigger and weigh more. We joke that 'fat is fast' which isn't the case but skeleton as I am often informed is a gravity sport and the heavier you are the faster you fall. Now bearing in mind my comments a few paragraphs ago this shouldn't be an issue for me. My body is my equipment, my means to achieve in sport, I am totally pro strong women - why does it matter if I weigh a few extra kilograms? Well right now it does. Because right now I still feel feminine and attractive and I am fairly comfortable with the way I look. And it is a worry that that may change if I gain weight. So yes I am contradicting myself but I think it sums up a lot of issues that women in sport have to contend with regarding body image.

Everyone wants to be normal. The problem is there is no normal; not in sport or in real-life. I remember a campaign from a while back that photographed lots of different elite sportswomen to show that there is no 'type'. Models aren't normal either, nor are celebrities that so many women want to emulate the look of. Hashtags such as 'fitspo' and 'strongnotskinny' which supposedly promote healthy attitudes towards exercise and lifestyle do not feature normal women either! They show fitness model esque women with a thigh gap. Not too many regular beings or athletes have a thigh gap! I am not saying athlete's are normal either. We're not. But the sentiment in my opinion has a stronger message; be what you need to be to achieve your goals (whatever they are) and commit time and heart to it.

So in the spirit of this blog I am going to embrace the change and go eat a mug cake - it's bulking season!