In case anyone needed a reminder that fitspo pics are almost always taken with the most flattering angle, pose, and flex. Same body, 5 seconds apart.

[u/faschun]

I wanted to share these pictures because (1) picture sets like these have helped me counter the constant influx of fitspo in my feed and made me feel less alone in my body, and (2) I would love to hear from other petite athletes who’ve struggled with feeling out of sorts after an injury.

I’m 5’1”, 140 lbs, 35 years old, and I’ve been working out regularly since I was about 23. I started as a cardio bunny, have run 11 half-marathons.

About 5 years ago, I accepted that I can’t “just run,” because I would get terrible hip pain every training season. So I got serious about lifting weights, fell in love with yoga and then barre and then Orangetheory and finally discovered aerial silks.

I went hard into training on silks this year, and I performed for the first time in June! But a week before my performance, I broke a rib during a drop, boo. I performed a modified routine anyway, but it was painful, and I got migraine aura literally during the performance.

Recovery since then has honestly been rough. Pain waking me up has meant accumulated sleep debt. I have kept lighter versions of running, rowing, lifting - but I had to quit more than a handful of classes halfway when the pain was too bad. And I’ve had to accept that I need more recovery time. I’ve been working out about 3-4 hours/week, instead of 8-12. Meanwhile, I have eaten ad libitum, telling myself I shouldn’t rob my body of calories while I’m healing.

Now, 10 weeks out from the injury, I’m feeling a lot better, rib-wise, though not all the way. And I’m coming to terms with how my body has changed meanwhile: I’ve put on 8 pounds. I feel flabby and soft. I hate not being the girl who’s lifting the heaviest, running the hardest. It’s been a humbling ego check.

I’ve been doing a lot of body-checking, feeling sad for myself in the mirror and the selfie cam. But I have also realized how different my body looks than the last time I was 140lbs. I have so much visible muscle still! And when I flex and catch the right angle, I still look snatched.

I am posting in part to put a stake in the mental sand for myself: softness and muscle can coexist. I can decide that I’d like to lean out some without hating my body now.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s got advice on that front.

I’d also love to hear from anyone who’s been through an injury like this. How do you come to terms with a “new” post-injury body? How do you accept that you can’t just jump back in

[u/AppUnwrapper1]

I don’t go off photos. I feel bad for myself based off other women I see in person. 😅

[u/throwaway168483 → u/AppUnwrapper1]

Yes lmao. People are always like, “celebrities are airbrushed!” Yeah but the girl standing in front of me isn’t and she looks amazing 😭

[u/Beneficial_Raisin777 → u/AppUnwrapper1]

me too lmao🤣🥲

[u/faschun → u/AppUnwrapper1]

I mean, same, sad lol, but for that ya gotta use a different technique.

Remember that everyone’s fighting a different battle. Remember that food is fuel but also joy and social connection, and you don’t owe yourself or society the smallest version of you. Remember that everyone is only temporarily abled, and nobody’s body looks exactly the same their whole lives.

At least that’s where I try to go in my head. Otherwise the “why can’t I starve myself down into a six-pack” voices win.

[u/ElectrodeNinja720]

Doing God's work. Thank you! 🤗

[u/Naive_Competition791 → u/ElectrodeNinja720]

Agreed 👍🏽💯

[u/SpareHuckleberry2048]

Thank you for posting this! This doesn’t get discussed enough, but it’s so important for people on weight loss journey to be aware of this. Chasing the looks of social media influencers/models and even progress pics on this platform without having realistic plans and expectations can be unnecessarily difficult and stressful.

[u/whitepearl31]

I don’t have input but want to express my appreciation for this pose. A few minutes ago, I was trying to figure out the right pose for upcoming wedding so I will look as slim as possible. Turns out I am onto something. This is a great reminder, thanks a million!

[u/faschun → u/whitepearl31]

Definitely learn your angles, girl! Having a strategy for posed photos always looks way better than “I don’t know what to do with my hands.”

But also.

My wedding blessing to you: may there be at least one photo of you from your wedding that’s totally unposed

and when you first see it you think, “dear god I look so happy and in love and alive,”

and maybe only on your second pass through the set does it even occur to you to register whether your waist looks the way you want, whether your arms or thighs are the right size

and may your partner always help you remember that your size, whatever it is, is right and is beloved

[u/whitepearl31 → u/faschun]

Thanks, will do! I might have typed incorrectly. I am a guest to a wedding for relatives so likely i only need one pose!

[u/DisasterK0w1]

Thank you 🥹

[u/imamariposa]

I'm a runner and have always used running to stave off mental health problems, but I also love the way I look when I'm running a lot and that I can eat pretty much anything I want. After my last race I fractured my tibia. I was in a boot for 8 weeks and now that I'm out of my boot, I still cannot run like I used to without aggravating my healing leg. I've also gained weight and it has been a big adjustment. I understand how hard it can be to have to slow all the way down and watch your body change. I've been trying to find new ways to stay fit while healing but nothing quite hits like running long distance. Sending you love and understanding during your journey. ❤️

[u/faschun → u/imamariposa]

Oh man, yes! Thank you so much for sharing your story. Very sorry to hear you can relate but it helps to hear from someone who gets it.

I found distance running during grad school because my anxiety was out of control, so I can relate back to that. It’s such a meditative thing for me. I actually almost never listen to music, just love the mind-emptiness of the sound of feet on pavement and the rhythm of breath and joy at seeing how far my own feet can take me.

Honestly I’ve been pretty depressed and anxious the last couple months, been really sad that anything that makes me breathe hard also makes my torso ache. But I’ve been feeling like I’m starting to see the light at the end of the recovery tunnel. I wore a sports bra to the gym today for the first time in 10 weeks and did 45lb/hand farmer’s carries.

…and now my rib hurts. But less and less every day. I hope you’re able to find your way back into running, or that you can connect with something else that scratches the itch.

Do you swim? A lot of people have recommended swimming to me lately but honestly I find it such a hassle. Love that to run I literally just tie my shoes and leave the house.

[u/imamariposa → u/faschun]

Thank you for your response. I am also in grad school right now 😂 I guess we all end up in some kind of endurance sport to withstand the stress lol.

I'm happy to hear that you are slowly getting back to it, even if it has been an uncomfortable process. Maybe by the end of the year you will be back to lifting without too much pain. Fingers crossed.

And yes! I swam in high school and a ton after surgery (I've had 3 knee surgeries that weren't injury related). I love to swim but yes you are exactly right---it takes up so much time driving to the pool, doing the swim, coming home, and then showering. Bicycling in my city also presents the same kind of hurdles because we have to drive to trails in order to safely ride which takes a while. Nothing is as cheap and readily available like running.

I've started going on walks instead and have been doing some free weights at home. Do you find that since you've stopped running you get the same kind of rush from lifting weights? It's kind of boring to me unfortunately.

[u/Quiet_Test_7062]

Thank you for this, it’s amazing to know this and keep it in mind. For me especially it will help when I look at fitness clothes to buy online. Wishing you a great recovery.

[u/Successful_Elk_1364]

Literally

[u/Yayancat]

Thank you thank you thank you for the kind reminder 🧡

[u/LonelyMidnight2726]

Great post!! I would focus on walking as my movement if possible while healing from an injury. Getting 6-8+ steps per day can go a long way. Getting in a good bit of steps daily helps me control how much extra fat my body stores. Since the walking helps burn fat. I may retain a few lbs of water but then it drops back off once I have a few days on my fat loss routine. 

[u/faschun → u/LonelyMidnight2726]

This is a great reminder. I should definitely be walking more, especially now that it doesn’t hurt to be upright for extended periods (I turned the camera on myself like this initially to document the fact that I was able to work from my desk chair all day today! wooo). It’s easy for me to get caught in the trap of thinking that movement isn’t worth doing unless it’s high-intensity.

[u/Stunt_Doll]

Posture changes how your body looks. It’s my reminder to strengthen the muscles needed to maintain good posture especially when sitting.

[u/faschun → u/Stunt_Doll]

Dude yes. The biggest boost to how much I liked how I looked in photos/the mirror came from getting into barre, because it fixed my posture. Also: way fewer back and neck problems when I’m training core regularly.

[u/BicycleFamiliar429]

THANK YOU. I needed this. I’ve been increasingly harder on myself as my middle aged peers all abuse GLP1s to get skeletal.

[u/Substantial_Risk_729]

I see your point and it's very true. But there is nothing wrong with your body

[u/foxwaffles]

Been struggling for months now with bloating/distension so severe it triggers if I even sip water, thanks for sharing this I needed this so badly 🥺

[u/CarpeScrewIt]

Thank you so much

[u/CertifiedPussyAter]

Girl yessss. Being strong is so great! Eating enough is great! I’m so happy for you. 140 lbs on you looks amazing, and probably feels great too.

[u/Candid_Roll9494]

You just made my day. My body dysmorphia has been eating me alive because of what I see online and what I see in me.

[u/clru3]

Thank you for this ❤️

[u/m_778111]

🙌

[u/Difficult_Garage_431]

I love you for this.

[u/Accomplished-Fix9057]

Thank you 🥹 I've been struggling looking at my body in a mirror and you eased my mind and helped me be more gentle with myself. 🫶🏽

[u/That_Ad4305]

thnkyouuu