Fitness has become extremely focused on appearances. People literally spend years fighting against the body they were naturally given ― instead of learning how to work with it.

Not everybody is built the same and that’s something we really need to normalise again.

Some people are naturally thin. Some naturally carry more muscle. Some people can eat almost anything and stay lean while others have to work twice as hard to maintain balance.

That does not automatically make one person healthier than the other. It simply means our bodies are all built differently.

As a trainer, I can honestly say I have never been skinny. Even when I used to compete, that body type was extremely challenging to manage. I was still at my fittest, strongest, and healthiest, however I’ve never had that super lean marathon runner body type. That’s just not how I’m built and I’m completely OK with that.

I naturally build muscle fairly easily. My body responds well to strength training. I’m never going to look tiny and delicate and honestly, I stopped thinking that I’m supposed to.

Somewhere along the way in this world, fitness has become more about trying to look a certain way than actually being healthy.

People now use visible abs as the main sign of fitness, but seeing your abs is not the only way to measure health. Someone can have a six pack and still be exhausted, under eating, stressed out, dehydrated, hormonally unbalanced, or unhealthy.

On the other hand, someone may never have visible abs and still have great blood pressure, strong cardiovascular health, energy, strength, and endurance.

Health is more than what we see on the outside:

• Can you move easily?

• Can you get through your day energised?

• Can you climb stairs without losing your breath?

• Are you fit enough to travel and play with your kids and grandkids? Can you lift your groceries and take them to the car?

Those things matter most. This doesn’t mean we ignore health or pretend nutrition and exercise don’t matter because they absolutely do. But there’s a difference between improving your health and constantly chasing a body type that may never naturally belong to you.

Fitness should not be about becoming someone else. It should be about becoming the healthiest version of yourself.

Maybe your healthiest body is muscular. Maybe it’s curvier. Maybe it’s lean. Maybe it’s strong and athletic without eye-popping abs.

Your body is not a social trend. It’s your home. Train it, feed it, respect it and stop measuring your health only by what you see in the mirror.

Stay true to your body and B-Active For Life!

• Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B. ActiveForLife on Facebook