One of the reasons I became a fitness coach is because I wanted to change the narrative when it comes to the fitness industry. I wanted to change the way people approached their health and fitness routines, and how they saw themselves. But, most importantly, I wanted to save them from going down a path that leads to unhealthy eating and workout behaviors. So, in this week’s blog, I’m sharing my thoughts on the fitness industry, and why there are certain things that I believe need to change.
For those of you who don’t know, a dear friend of mine lost their daughter to an eating disorder a few years ago. That played a huge part in my decision to go all-in in my coaching business. I never, ever want to know anyone else who looses someone they love in that way. I’ve also struggled with my own body image in my acting career, and have had comments made to me on more than one occasion regarding my weight. Hence, Alexandra Raye Fitness was born.
The biggest issue for me is that so many coaches are feeding into this idea that we should be fearful of our food. For example, if someone enjoys a particular food, a coach might say something like, “Well, in order to burn that off, you’ll have to do X number of jumping jacks.” That right there is teaching that client to be afraid of food. That plays into the mindset that we all have to be skinny in order to be in shape. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Another issue in the fitness industry is us as actual fitness coaches (most of us with several certifications) having to separate ourselves from the fitness “influencers.” While they may know how to workout for themselves, they most likely don’t know how to design workout plans for any individual, how to balance out a nutrition plan, and teach clients how to fuel their body, rather than not.
The main message I want to get across in this blog, is the idea that you can’t get lost in the sea of information out there when it comes to fitness. It’s important to talk to someone who has the education to teach you how to make the safest decisions for you and your health, rather than trying to Google your way through, or following along with the influencer with tens of thousands of followers. The other message I want to get across, is to not allow anyone to make you feel like you have to look a certain way. If you want to loose weight, or build strength, or eat healthier, you have to want that for yourself, not because someone told you you should. That is where it all starts, friends; with you.