For this reason I do not use certain words like “flaws” or “trouble zones” while training clients so as not to set off a flurry of ridiculous questions for which I have no worthy answer to said “flawdoms”.
These words trouble me because….
1. “Flaws” are relative and ever changing. Assigning the word “flaw” to something as common as cellulite is ridiculous BEYOND reason.
Though society gives us a nudge, “flaws” only affect us when we’ve internalized them as such (along the lines of “no one makes you feel inferior without your consent”). Tanned skin, beauty marks, being thin, badunkadunkas - were all “flaws” at one point. Something you find beautiful or sexy, another might not. Using a universal term like “flaw” for what boils down to an OPINION is distorted. Opinions change.
2. I don’t want to influence the perception of “flaws” in others. No girl grows up thinking that cellulite is a flaw: she learns it. I didn’t realize thigh gaps were something some people wanted, until I started seeing them everywhere on Instagram (still baffles me).
There is a period of time BEFORE we learn something is a flaw and before it becomes something to “fix”. By associating things like cellulite, sagging breasts, arm jiggle and other body bits with the words “flaws” or “trouble zones”, we are reinforcing the idea that people SHOULD be “worried” or insecure about them. There’s a difference in saying “this will tighten up your arms” and “this will get rid of your gross, flabby arms”. The latter associates arm jiggle with “gross” & “flabby”, qualifying it if you will.
Really fit arms can jiggle. True story. Power jiggles.
The majority of “flaws” we perceive are created outside of us. They aren’t actually “flaws”, so much as natural states of being…that have gotten a bum rap. Kinda sad, really... poor thunderthighs.
So, if you can, try to think of the body bits you’re not too fond of as “unflawed”, a natural way to be, a canvas to work with then you CAN change the internal vision of your body and embrace what you’ve got.
The take away is, there’s nothing inherently “wrong” or “flawed” about pretty much everything we think about as “wrong” or “flawed”, big noses, small breasts, thick legs, flat booties etc...You don’t have to love ‘em, but there’s nothing wrong with them.
Have a Happy and Healthy Day, Cheers :)