Fitness influencers and BBL surgery! Years ago, before I was a personal trainer, I was incredibly insecure in my body and my source of inspiration for healing my body image was fitness influencers. What started as initial inspiration soon only became a contribution to my own self loathing! “Why am I not making the progress they did?” “Why is it taking so much longer for me?” “Why don’t I look like them yet?” It never occurred to me for a second their bodies might be surgically enhanced. Many influencers did, and still do, undergo a surgery known as “BBL”, a Brazilian Butt Lift, which enlarges their glutes and emphasises their waists. While on an individual level EVERYONE has body autonomy, to weigh up the risks and make an informed decision - surgically enhancing your body and presenting it as progress you’ve made in the gym in order to sell “glute guides” and “booty programs” is not OK! There’s already an overwhelming amount of pressure from society on young women to conform to strict beauty standards without UNACHIEVABLE surgically enhanced bodies being the goal. If you give someone a goal they will literally NEVER reach it is not only unethical, it’s hugely damaging; further reinforcing the narrative that they will never measure up! Over the years of my own training I realised when you start building your glutes, it’s impossible to do so without ALSO building your legs. Someone with developed glutes would NEED to have developed legs too, and associated STRENGTH with the muscle they’ve built. Building muscle is a very LONG process, especially as a woman. We are able to gain on average 0.5/1.5lb of muscle per MONTH, with the amount of muscle you build and where you build it being specific to YOU, your body and your genetics! I know no one wants to hear progress takes time, but doesn’t your physical and mental health DESERVE the long term investment? Always be mindful of EVERYTHING you are consuming and never forget, you do not exist to fit the societal beauty standards of the day! Keep your focus on YOU, because you deserve to appreciate your body, your progress and your journey WITHOUT comparison ♥️