Kettlebelle Fitness

As I am continuing full steam ahead on my health journey, every now and again I take time to look back and reflect…particularly when it comes to the beliefs and rituals I believed as truth in the past that didn’t actually work.

Disclaimer: This post may ruffle some feathers (especially if you practice these myths yourself)! If you find that you practice these things yourself and it helps boost your confidence, then by all means keep doing it!! This is based on my own personal reflection/experience, so please don’t come after me and let’s still be friends, ok? 🙂

Myth #1: Contouring will make my face look slimmer.

Pick up just about any beauty magazine, and they will tell you that contouring helps make your face appear more slim. There are countless Youtube tutorials out there how to do it, and makeup pallettes designed specifically for that purpose.

Reality: Contouring did little to slim my face. What it did achieve was actually making me look older which is NOT what most women in their 30s are looking to do. While it looks great under a ring light, unfortunately that’s not real life. Not to mention the amount of time and practice it takes to learn, perfect, and execute a well done, blended contour. The brushes and makeup pallettes are also expensive!

What Actually Works: The only surefire to slim your face naturally is by living a healthy lifestyle eating foods that fight inflammation. Do I still contour on occasion? Absolutely-yes! But the difference is that I do it because my face actually IS getting slimmer from a healthy lifestyle. I now use a light contour on occasion to highlight my rising cheekbones – not to create an optical illusion.

Myth #2: Wearing a high waisted bikini will make me look my body look more flattering than a low rise bikini.

My epiphany occurred in our hotel room last year at Great Wolf Lodge. We were getting dressed to go to the waterpark when my well meaning, inquisitive 5 year old son asked me, ‘Mommy, why are you wearing a diaper??’ I looked in the full length view, and could not unsee my son’s observation! The story makes me chuckle to this day, but I can tell you that at the time I was mortified and quickly changed!

Reality: I’m 5’3″ with a short torso, so a high waisted bikini easily comes up to my rib cage. It makes me look shorter and ‘squattier’ than I actually am. The dark color actually drew more attention to my ‘Mom pooch’ rather than disguised it.

What Actually Works: Wearing what works with and enhances your body type – whatever that may be! Given my height and curvy body, a low waisted bikini or a tankini is actually more flattering for me and lengthens my torso.

Myth #3: Wearing baggy clothes will hide my imperfections and trouble spots, and make me appear thinner.

My hubby begs me to wear tighter/more revealing clothes. But each time, I’d counter argue that I didn’t want to accentuate my ‘muffin top’ anymore than I willingly had to. Wearing loose clothes are not only comfortable, but they also allow me to ‘hide’ what I don’t like in the mirror.

Reality: Wearing baggy clothes actually creates an illusion of more volume than is really there I.E it actually makes you look BIGGER than you actually are, not smaller!! Sadly, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ also comes into play, and your baggy clothes can actually contribute to your weight gain! When your clothes are more fitted, weight gain is more noticeable and you can take action quicker. But when your clothes are more baggy, you are less likely to notice and the pounds can quickly sneak up on you.

What Actually Works: Wearing fitted clothes that compliment and hug your body!

Myth #4: Wearing black clothes will make me look thinner.

This is a tricky one because I LOVE my black leggings!! In fact, I am wearing black leggings as I type this! Wearing neutrals is always a flattering choice because it pairs well with so many other colors. With minimalism and decluttering at the center of our focus these days, versatile clothes are always highly sought after!

Reality: There’s no doubt that black can create a slimming effect. However, I also think it largely depends on whether or not the clothes are fitted (RE: myth #4). Honestly, ANY color can have a slimming effect when you choose the right fit. Yes, it all comes back to fit and your unique silhouette! You don’t have to be limited to one color to look slimmer.

What Actually Works: Experiment with colors that make you feel beautiful! Do a closet edit before you purchase the same black leggings or shirt for the 50th time. Don’t make yourself smaller in the same monochrome pallette just to check a box of what you think ‘women your size’ should be wearing! Be bold! Live your life in color!

Myth #5: Twisting my body in photographs into the ‘pageant pose’ or ‘sorority pose’ will make my body look more flattering.

I was definitely guilty of doing this in college – even though I had nothing to do with Greek life! It’s the same basic pose we do over and over to make our arms look slimmer or our hips less broad in a photograph.

Reality: If everyone does the same exact pose, it can make for a cute group shot. But if you find yourself doing this pose in every single photograph you take, it might be time to retire it. It can come off as stiff, cold, and unnatural-even if your smile is genuine! Body language communicates loads of messages before you even speak a word. Make sure what your body is communicating is matching what you are feeling in the moment.

What Actually Works: Be in the moment! Stop worrying about how it’s going to translate on Facebook or Instagram. When you pose, you miss out on the genuine connection and memories you are making in the moment. Unless you are a professional model and it is your job to find the best angle/lighting to sell a product, there’s no reason to pull yourself out of the moment to make yourself appear smaller.

Did any of these myths strike a chord with you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!