As someone with a strained relationship with food, it can sometimes be hard to decipher if the problem exists in the body or in the mind. The two are so intrinsically linked that the image that I see in the mirror is not usually what others see, more like a trick of the mind at my own expense.

When you train as much as I do, and spend as much time on social media as I do, you cannot help but be attuned to the most minute of details – and for my personality type these details can become very distracting and left unchecked can be mentally challenging to deal with. 

As I look back at pictures from the past, my initial recall is not the image in front of me, but how I felt at that specific time. I can feel every feeling as freshly as when I was experiencing it. This is also true of today – when I look in the mirror, what I see is a mixture of sunlight and smiles combined with stress and tiredness! That’s quite a combo, I know! 

I recognise that my body has changed, and my mental health is also flourishing under the purpose that attending the gym adds to my life. As I see the changes in front of me, I know that this is a direct result of my commitment and hard-work (as well as that of my trainer, who sets the standard for challenge and support). This boosts me mentally and that feeds into what I am able to achieve in other aspects of my life. Starting the day with physical challenge, helps me to embrace the day with more purpose and achieve my goals. In short the mind and body feed into each other.

See I have to ask myself the question, why do I only ever see the negative in the mirror? 

Instead of progress I see the stubborn belly fat, instead of the addition or muscle I see my awkward face – are our eyes focussing on these because they are the most noticeable parts? Or is it a learned behaviour that our brain is honing in on after years of self-flagellation? 

In the world of Instagram, I think that’s people disbelieve that a man that shows off his body can be self-conscious. And from the outside I can see the optics of that perception. I started IG with a focus on building my body-confidence – owning my story and trying to learn to love the man that I am. It has continued to be that way in spite of my body changes. 

I am an advocate to doing something very day that makes you feel good about yourself. Simply put, this is why I believe good underwear is the best place to start. If you feel great about yourself in nothing but a pair of briefs then every aspect of your life that adds in to the equation has a foundation of Self and of positivity. In spite of what I see in the mirror I always make sure to give myself a boost by choosing underwear that makes me feel at my best.

The mind is a complicated thing, and I am by no means an expert on the matter. But I do know that proper training will factor both mind and body into it. I will develop more fully when I embrace both aspects. Afterall, What is the point of a six-pack if I still feel awful about myself? Balance is just as important as abs imo. 

(Doesn’t mean I want them any less though!!!) 

TIB