When I was a kid, I was really skinny.
My whole body was skinny but especially my shoulders. For some reason God made me with really boney shoulders.
And we all know when kids see someone who looks “different,” they let them know. Unfortunately they rarely realize the damage they cause with their words. And I’m not innocent either. I remember saying mean things to other kids.
I had pretty thick skin but it definitely affected me. I used to look in the mirror and try to stand in different ways so they didn’t look as boney. I also wore or didn’t wear certain clothes because of this prominent feature.
My body type drove me to start lifting weights to improve my physique. I actually didn’t realize it at the time but I was trying to prove something to people.
While I did turn it into a positive, in hindsight I’m sure there were better ways to deal with my feelings.
I remember when I was still a teenager, I asked a very qualified personal trainer what I could do to change my shoulders. His answer was life changing. He gave me some ideas of what to do and then said, “This may or may not change things. I think ultimately you need to be happy with how God made you.”
Many people suffer from body image issues such as:
- Feeling awkward
- Feeling fat
- Feeling uncoordinated
- Not fitting in
Nowadays, I still want to look my best but I’m more concerned with how I feel.
I want to have the energy to be productive in my business and personal life.
I hope my admission helps you realize that you aren’t alone. You’re not.
Billy Hofacker – Owner & Transformation Coach at Total Body Boot Camp – BS, CSCS