What it means to not have a six pack…
What it means to not have a six pack…
“She may not have a six pack but she’s tough.”
I used to let this comment upset me, but now it empowers me. You are correct. I don’t have a six pack. I never had one. Even when I was 15 lbs lighter on my 5’5″ frame. Even though I can sprint at 11mph and leg press 3 of me and hold Teasers like it ain’t nobody’s bizzness. Even though I am a fitness instructor. You are right. I DON’T HAVE A SIX PACK.
But do I let that define me?
No way do I let my physical shell define who I am and how strong I am inside. I don’t let it define my capability as a trainer. How I look has nothing to do with how I teach. This year, after breaking out of my metabolic disruption and doing PIIT28 with passion, I can kinda see some baby little lines on my abs and omg it’s crazy because my abs don’t even like to show me anything! But it’s cool abs! You do you, because leggies and armies aren’t being shy!
I’m proud of you, body!
Guys seriously – this is the most important thing. Let your body be your body. Stop pushing it so hard to LOOK like something it’s not meant to look like. The truth is, I used to work out 4 hrs a day and eat a low amount of calories and BARELY had any fat on my body (bikini competition times). But I still had fat on my abs. And I could barely think. It affected my business. It also frustrated the heck out of me because I let my body define who I was. That was stupid, and I don’t do that anymore.
Today I work out about 28 minutes a day and I don’t restrict my diet to just chicken breast and broccoli. I am super happy, super energetic, my head is full of ideas for my businesses, and I have time to actually ENJOY LIFE. It’s how I want to live.
I may not look like a bikini model, but my job isn’t to look like a bikini model, and looking like a bikini model does not make me better at my job. So I’m cool with that.
You just need to focus on getting stronger and you will sculpt yourself into what your best form should be, naturally. And most importantly respect your body as it changes because it needs that. It doesn’t need workouts and diets fueled by hate. It needs your encouragement. And just know, I’m always here encouraging you too.
102 thoughts on “What it means to not have a six pack…”
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@marinaamirxx yesssss I totally agree. As long as your mental and physical strength satisfies u, who cares what your body looks like ? Ilysm cassie!!!!
idk maybe it’s just me but i seriously never understood women obsessing over having a six pack..? like yes having a strong core is awesome sign me up but a small layer of fat on top is actually cuter.. makes you look less like a man .. if you really want to have a low enough bod fat % to have a 6 pack FOR YOU then you do you!!!! but imho idk i’d rather have a body like cassey you look gorgeous cassey i love you!!
Omg Cassey I love you so much! You are so beautiful, like I wish I was you. You are such an inspiration and after reading this I actually feel a lot better about myself. I’m 14 so I feel like the way you look is a big deal especially because it’s almost summer. But your right I just need to focus on getting stronger instead of what I look like.
Wow Cassey! I can leg press 280 but that’s only a bit over twice my weight… Major props- i soooo want you as a trainer in the gym!! (But I live in Canada so I can’t workout with you in person😔😣😒😞)
I cannot begin to tell you how much this helped me. I almost cried. I have been debating whether or not to do PIIT28 because I am afraid that if I commit to this and continue it, I still may not get a six pack, but that really does not matter. What matters is that I get stronger and in better shape, whatever that is.
I just want to commend you for your posts this year about celebrating your body, something I feel is one of the most important lessons anyone can learn. You’re warm, positive, and also totally realistic, acknowledging that we will have down days but it’s what we do with those negative emotions that counts. Thank you for encouraging all of us to get back up again. Also I think lately you look your best ever! Beautiful, healthy, strong, and brave. Keep going, Cassey! 🙂
Yet you have workouts aimed at spot reducing areas and publish a book called “hot body year round” and advise girls to eat 1500-1600 calories a day while exercising… What’s you’re definition of low cal? 1200 which would put women into a starvation state? Some more fit girls (ie with more muscle mass) would go into a bit of a starvation mode at 1500-1600 cal. My body backfires on me if I go below 2000 and I can only eat 2000 calories for a few weeks (my maintenance calories are somewhat high, around 2400). The mental stress that consistent caloric deficits can put your mind into can raise cortisol levels which makes getting rid of fat, specifically around the lower belly, very difficult if not impossible. There are reasons bikini competitors only go into significant deficits for short periods and then have improvement seasons focused on building muscle mass. You publish articles essentially saying that women with large posteriors and tiny waists are fake, yet this is common among certain ethnicities. Why is it ok for you to speak negatively about other women’s bodies? The funny thing is if you upped your workout time to 45-60 min 5 days a week and ate more you would almost definitely be leaner and have more muscle mass. People shouldn’t fixate on a number on the scale as muscle weighs approximately twice as much as fat. Being in a constant caloric deficit is not healthy, especially when you aren’t overweight to begin with. You think you’re no longer wreaking havoc on your body or metabolism but you really should be eating AT LEAST 2000 cal a day considering the fact you’re active and that’s even if you stick to your 28min workouts. For anyone following Cassey’s diet advice, don’t stay in the 1500-1600 calorie range for too long, seriously 3 months at the ABSOLUTE longest and that is pushing it. Over-training and under nourishing yourself is always bad but just because you’re not as extreme as some other people in the fitness industry doesn’t mean you’re pushing the healthiest of diets. Cassey, please be careful of the messages you send.
I’ve never noticed whether you have a six-pack or not, because in every video I’m too busy being in awe of how STRONG you are. That’s my life goal: strong. We can celebrate ALL body types!
What an awesome post, Cassey! I worry about this all the time. I workout 6 days/week and try to eat clean (definitely my weak area..I love butter and cheese!) but no matter what I do, my lower belly persists. I think age is getting me, too. I’m turning 30 in a couple months, and it just isn’t as easy as it used to be, ya know. Anyway, thank you so much for all of your encouragement and positivity. I live on it! You’re my hero, Cassey!
Best way to lose belly and thigh fats these days is to freeze them with blue fat freeze system. It works similar to the process of coolsculpting and it is more effective and convenient than exercise and diet plans in reducing stubborn fats.
This post is so true! Don’t let others define who or what you really are! It doesn’t matter what shape you are in as long as you know that you’ve been doing you’re best. Great! https://scarletfitness.com/sales-page-8505813
Cassie, please.
I used to work out with many internet intructors. Mel B, Jane Fonda, Ewa Chodakowska, Anna Lewandowska… But I like to work out with you. And you know why?
Because you are real. I don’t want to have six pack. I dont want to have monstrous legs or great triceps, or big booty… Your body looks like a healthy, natural woman’s body.
I wear a lot of dresses and i try to look like golden age of hollywood, even when i’m naked. You say you don’t have a tiny waist, but you do have beautiful curve of waistline, not disrupted by narrow absominal muscles. You have nice wrists and ankles, and you are very shapely, and so is your chest. And I want to look like you do, and be goofy and cheerful like you. And as I follow you, i like myself more and more, and i nicely fill all those dresses 🙂
So never be upset. If someone says anything about your abs, just reply with “and so is you mom’ or remember than somewhere in Poland there is a girl that is glad that you look like fit female and is looking upon you.
Best wishes! 🙂
I know Cassey says that she doesn’t look like a bikini model, but she looks amazing in the piit28 ads and just in general! It’s a much more natural and HEALTHY look! Who cares about seeing a six-pack when you have that strength, stamina and physique? Cassey looks how swimsuit models should look! Its a much more positive image. I wish i could be that slim, but my body doesn’t seem to want to do it, despite eating clean and following The Blogilates calendar. I struggle with motivation as I don’t see changes and i think feeling negative about my body is a big part of that. Its a hard thing changing your opinion of yourself, when you aren’t the person/shape that you want to be. But i love Cassey and Blogilates and Pop-pilates, so perhaps PITT28 will make more of a difference for me! ? ❤️
Early in college I had a writing teacher who told us that “If you don’t enjoy the process of it, you probably won’t like the product – no matter how technically “good” it is.” That was years ago but it has stayed with me because I think the greatest sense of accomplishment and joy one experiences is from the PROCESS of something rather than the product of it. I feel like Cassey talks about this in lots of little ways regularly in her videos and it’s what keeps me coming back to blogilates. Being “process driven” and being around others who are the same way keeps me motivated and evolving. Results come and go (because life happens) but the real thing to be proud of isn’t the arbitrary signifier of the work – it’s the work itself. No one can take that away from you, and if you feel like you are pushing yourself (in healthy and fulfilling ways) and working on the things that are important to you then I think that’s what gives you peace about what you’ve accomplished, no matter what that looks like.
You are so beautiful and kind at heart. I’ve begun working out about 1 year ago when I came across one of your funny and enjoyable video on Youtube. I love how you teach, the way you motivate people, even through my screen I always feel your energy and it gives me strength. I don’t mind about six packs because I love your body ! You’re so fit, strong and tough. Thank you for being there and sharing your life journey.
Gros bisous de Paris.
This article really couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Lately (as in the past few years) I put on a lot of weight, I have been working out for about 5 months with almost no results, I say almost because I am losing weight but it’s happening sooo slowwwly that I almost feel like it will never get there, like I will never get to my goal, and that really stresses me out. I don’t know how it happened for sure but my stomach gained a lot of fat this past year and I haven’t been able to go back to how I used to be. My husband will say it’s cause I’m getting older, but I just cannot see how dieting and exercise cannot get rid of that fat. My sister is getting married soon and I want to look good for the wedding so it’s hard. Lately when I look at myself in the mirror I don’t truly recognize my body because I’ve never looked like this before and never in my life had I been so overweight, I’m not saying I hate it but I don’t love it either. When I read your article though something hit me, like when you said that you had to respect your body and the shape of it and whatnots so I’m really gonna try my best to do just that because lately of course I’d been hating too much on it, I don’t want to have a six pack I just want to stop looking like I’m pregnant when I go for a dinner out with my husband XD. But at the same time I think you’re right I don’t know if I’m being too conscious about it and maybe that makes it even harder on a subconscious level to lose weight I don’t know. I will definitely take your advice and even though I’m still hoping to reach my goal and be healthy I will stop hating on it and try to be happy with what I got, don’t let it define me.
Cassey, you have literally brought sanity back into my life by discussing your metabolic disruption and letting go of trying to force your body to look a certain way…I have been driving myself CRAZY, and I DO mean CRAZY trying all these different low carb/carb cycling diets and feeling miserable and getting no where!!! I am still limiting my calories but I am eating GOOD carbs and following your workout calendars, and I feel and look better than ever!!! THANK YOU!!!! Seriously, thank you for saving me from insanity <3
but you do look as a bikini model 😀 a very beautiful one!
I seriously do not know what I would do without you Cassey. Thank you for being you, and for teaching us how to be the best version of ourselves. <3
You are right, Leila. It is important to be the best version of ourselves. But it is also important to be kind and caring to your friends and to never blame them for horrible things, without talking to them first. You can destroy a beautiful friendship because of a mistake you made.
Love you soooo much, Cassie. What a GREAT message for all, young and old.
Here here!
I used to dsnce Ballet a lot. I loved it so much (had to stop due to an injury) but even when I was really skinny I’ve always had chubby cheeks and larger legs. People always comment how “large” my legs are considering I dance Ballet… A LOT. But meh, I still loved the art/dance/sport and enjoyed myself doing it… I probably was never going to make it to corpse de ballet of any company but I was just happy to dance 🙂
I am an entrepreneur/photographer now and the issue of body image ALWAYS comes up.
Thank you for sharing this with us Casey! You’re an inspiration 🙂
Here here!
I used to dsnce Ballet a lot. I loved it so much (had to stop due to an injury) but even when I was really skinny I’ve always had chubby cheeks and larger legs. People always comment how “large” my legs are considering I dance Ballet… A LOT. But meh, I still loved the art/dance/sport and enjoyed myself doing it… I probably was never going to make it to corpse de ballet of any company but I was just happy to dance 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us Casey! You’re an inspiration 🙂
I’ve followed you on Facebook for years but I must say… this article… it really hit home with me. I am naturally slim and due to some life difficulties I don’t have a stable eating system and I’ve been getting thinner lately yet my belly has always always been there. The fat just won’t go away no matter how I workout. (Which granted I don’t do as well as I should due to those same difficulties) but nonetheless it frustrates me and although I was never raised to let my looks define me, it still gets to me. But I’m talking real fat, when I bend it touches my thighs and when I sit or stand there is one big bulge and a roll under the boobs so yes I need to work on it more stably but now I feel like “ok. If Cassey! Cassey has stubborn belly fat then I have no excuse, I can do this too!” Thank you for this article. Truly.
I love you Cassey 🙂 Even when we have to do those 10 extra pulses at the end of mini leg circles in your first DVD. You and your body are so BEAUTIFUL and you help me feel beautiful too <3
Hey Cassey, there must be a typo: sprinting at 11 mph, or 20.34 sec for 100m is quite slow.
As far as your argument, yes, you should not fixate on a physical attribute or be upset if you cannot achieve it. However, it does not mean you should go to the other extreme, stop trying, and just accept things the way they are. Because if so, why work out at all? Using your argument, does the time you can hold a teaser define you? Why not just be happy even if you can’t hold it at all?
That’s not what she’s saying at all. All this article is saying is that the stereotypical fitness “goals” like having defined abs, aren’t always an indicator of whether or not one is healthy and fit. Of course, going to the other extreme of not pushing oneself to constantly get better or achieve new goals is not healthy, either. It’s all about balance. In the fitness community, we are inundated by images of six packs and thigh gaps and standards that are unattainable for some of us. All Cassey is saying is to find what strong means for your body. If that means a six pack, awesome. If that means holding a teaser, great. If that means running the slowest mile ever, that’s wonderful, too.
I have never had a six pack either. I was so envious of all the girls that had them. I would try my darnest but to no end, my six pack just wants to stay one pack! lol…but that’s ok…ever since I started blogilates, I have learned to accept my one pack ab and know that I am so much stronger than a set of 6 pack abs. I’ll just keep enjoying my marshmallow rice krispy treats while killing it during my blogilates workout. YOLO!
Thank you 🙂 <3
Great article! Last weekend I had to work and there,I heard that I have a little over weight. Well, I don’t know what is the criterion they use but, I think that just my weight and my height is not enough to define if I’m over my ideal weight. All I know is I was a so slim kid and a fat teenager, but since I was 16 when I started losing weight, I’m wearing the same size. I know I need keep moving and I’m working on it. But I thought about how many people can be worried about the same information that I had. This is so serius, people should be more careful about what they are saying to others.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I am currently in the beginning stages of recovery from an eating disorder, and this post encouraged me so much. I love your joy for life; you are so inspiring to me and countless other people. Thank you for promoting health, a positive body image and joyful outlook on life.
I was really into working out in the earlier years of college. I was barely eating anything and I would work out six days a week for at least an hour and I never saw those abs I wanted, just cause I always have what I affectionately call my “squish” in my lower belly. I had to draw the line when I wanted to have the flu just so i could have a flat stomach. I’m learning that feeling good is more important than the body we’re all running after. So thank you for this post. With every girl I’ve talked to, I realize we all struggle with this at some point. Your blog, your channel, and what you do is SO important for us.
This article is the epitome of what I strive for every day. I don’t have a six pack like I used to. And thats ok with me…and my husband. Because the little pooch I have and can’t get rid of is the remnants of two joyous pregnancies and two healthy and beautiful children.
See? This is why you’re awesome. I’ve had fitness instructors tell me I’m not pushing myself hard enough. That I’m still fat and jiggly because I don’t eat right. Because I’m not trying, yeah? Well if “trying” means I never get to eat food I like again, or have to practically kill myself at the gym every day, then I don’t want to. It’s no fun to be miserable. I just had a physical and my doctor told me I’m the fittest and healthiest of my life…and I was shocked. Because I had let people get to me and convince me that girls with six packs or with a lot less fat are much much healthier than I am. But that isn’t the case.
Thanks Cassey!
I totally understand! I made the decision about a month ago to be okay with having flab. I used to watch myself on the scales all the time and get really down on myself because they kept going up and up, and I was still exercising. I wasn’t eating 100% healthy, because I still ate chocolate and sugary things, but I was eating healthy most of the time (and I’m slowly improving my habits, like sweet potato brownies).
But the reason my scales weren’t going down was because my exercise was pole dancing, without much cardio. I was gaining muscle, and not losing much fat. So as long as I try to walk/exercise bike most days, and eat fairly healthy I’m happy with having flab & curves. I made myself take a good look at my body in the mirror in underwear because the scales were scaring me, and I look attractive. I’m not completely toned, but I have nice curves and little bit of flab. I look good 🙂
And I don’t want to eat boring food forever (particularly bran for breakfast) just to look a tiny bit better than I do.
Hey cassey, this was so relevant to me. Ever since I can remember my lower belly has stuck out a bit. I am by no means overweight (5’5 and 122 lbs) and I work out regularly. My fat just seems to store itself there. Today a girl came up to me and said:” are you pregnant?” (I’m not) Even though it looked nothing like it. I’ve been trying so hard to accept and love my stomach so this was quite the blow. People should start to think about what they say before they actually say it
Really you are such an amazing motivator and writer, totally spot on with every word in that artical. I’m 15 and did gymnastics for almost 10 years, my friends quitted and i descided tot stop to because I lost the fun in it, I really began to mis it and a half year later I started the blogilates calendar, I absolutely love how it makes me feel and this is the only workout schedule I can keep doing but also challenges me.
Love you so much and hope I am still a popster for many years.
Xxx Britt, The Netherlands <3
Great article and such a powerful message! Thank you Cassie for always bringing positive vibes to our lives <3 Hugs from Croatia!
Amen sister! We just discovered you and love your attitude. The balance of working hard and acceptance is so crucial to a happy and fulfilled life. Love your energy. Oh and you look great too 😉
http://www.freerange-fashion.com
Thanks for this article… from reunion island.. you’re amazing girl!
You are the best. 🙁 seriously, in a world that is constantly harassing me, the lack of muscles or the being skinny here or fat there, no matter what your articles always inspire me and when I get into depressive mode or compare myself I always loop back to your articles, back to you. Thank you. ?
Xoxo hales
So refreshing Cassey to hear a successful personal trainer speak this way. I’m glad to have the opportunity to follow you at this time in life. And you are right its about letting your body just be and become stronger. God bless xo Laura
Hi Cassey, I totally agree with your article. I myself use to be a rhythmic gymnast for many years competing globally and even with all that training I’ve never had a six pack. And I use o train 20 hours a week. But my abs were and still are super strong. I Only really had muscular thighs which I eventually lost and can now wear skinny jeans! But apart from that, I love my body and think six packs aren’t that sexy on women as they are on men and everyone’s bodies will respond differently to different types of exercises.
Thank you for writing this post Cassey! I’ve always looked at myself and my belly pooch and I hated myself. I did tons of ab exercises and even though my abs got stronger, I just couldn’t get rid of that little bit of fat. Your article made me realize that I should just accept that my fat was just concentrated in that area. Instead, I love my body and how strong my abs are. You are such an inspiration!
Cassey, the first time I saw a video of yours I was like “OMG how she can be so strong?! I can’t do a minute of what she does! Dude, she does workout TALKING while I can’t even breath” I never really thought about how your body look like, because its strong like heaven. Im training with you since then and I’m in love with all your passion and work.. Thank you for your existence and thank you for your REAL BODY, and not midiatic body, because most of time midiatic body isnt real and nor healthy, so you reminds me anyone can be stronger and better. And you know what? You are helping me to sculpture a better me. Really, I’m here from Brazil and you are the best pilates trainer ever, i did pilates once here in my country but actually you are the best. Love you Cassey, thank you a lot for just being you. Lots of love from Brazil!
Cassey, there is so much WISDOM in what you just wrote. Thank you for being such a strong role model. In a world that is OBSESSED with image and an unrealistic standard of beauty it is so refreshing to hear someone, like you, in the media speak such wise and true words. You have such a healthy perspective and I am so glad that you’re out there to be such a solid example to young girls and women. I’m so happy to support you & your business not just because of the quality of your products and programs (I’m on round one of PIIT28 2.0 & love your gear! 😉 but because of what you stand for & who you are. You are special!
Thank you, Cassey! Your blog posts and workouts have helped me overcome so so much over the last three years. I have really come to love myself and my body for what it is, and I’ve learned to focus on making my body healthier and feel better, not make my body “better” as far as predetermined standards of beauty. You are an inspiration, and you are gorgeous!
I remember when six-pack abs used to be my end goal, I was miserable. I worked out for vanity reasons and was not strong. I was just skinny. Now, I don’t care if I never have abs. I work out because it feels good. Thanks for this post, Cassey!! ?
I cannot even begin to describe how relevant this topic is to me right now! I was just looking at a recent fitness magazine and saw a very famous fitness trainer on the cover and even she doesn’t have a six pack… Yet I beat myself up mentally for not having a defined one. Then I go to my email and see your article. I am always motivated to workout, keep getting stronger and just keep moving towards my goals every single day. It can be discouraging when you don’t see the ONE result you are so focused on, but at the same time overlook the other great things you’ve achieved. Reading things like this and all the other comments that ensued really helps ground your sense of self and accomplishment. So a big THANK YOU for this.
I don’t think I’ll ever get a defined six pack, since my body just doesn’t seem to work that way. I started working out to lose weight, but I keep working out to remind myself of what my body CAN do, instead of focusing on what it can’t do.
Thanks for thus article and I am nowhere close to a six pack abs. I’m not happy with my abs but it doesn’t stop me from who I am and what I can achieved. Having medical restrictions keep me from achieving this right now I’m not about to give up. Stress had been a major factor which has kept me from getting a six pack and losing my job but one does not give up. I’ve some hurdles to jump and I will be successful in achieving them. Thanks Casey
I am so inspired. Lately I have actually been really worried about my abs and just looking at other girls with a flat stomach only made me feel fat and ugly. But now that I’ve read this, I gave some thought to this and I should just be happy with my Abs and just keep working out to at least keep me healthy. I love you so much Cassey and thank you for always inspiring me and giving me the courage I never thought I could have.
I could never get a six pack either, no matter how amazing my shape and fitness level were. It’s just my body type–it’s like not everybody can have a thigh gap!
Your abs are insane Cassey. Regardless if they come six pack shaped or not. I curse lovingly every time you make me last through an earthquake longer than I’m physically able to ? And my abs are already pretty insane too, so I know what I’m talking about 🙂
This is so powerful! Thank you Cassey!
Just 30 minutes of exercise a day and you are glowing, strong, and not fat, I mint add! You are living a great happy life, above that all and I aspire to live your kind of lifestyle. Besides workout 28 minutes a day, are you relatively sedentary, cassey? Do you only do HIIT daily or do you do other forms of exercise as long as it’s 28 minutes?
Thank you for this wonderful post Cassey ! I started pilates by vanity and now I continue my daily exercises because it gives me happiness, YOU give me happiness ! I’ve found the perfect balance between what I wanted to look ike and how I eat & work out. And I know this is thanks to you, because you conforts me in thinking that I deserve to do what I want with my body and my diet without avoiding food to have the 6 pack I dreamt of (which only succeeded in a metabollic dammage). Now, I know I can eat what I want, and respecting my body by eating healthy food doesn’t mean restriction. I sometimes look at my abs and notice I don’t see it as easily as the last week… But these kind of posts just reminds me : I don’t care. If it’s hidden, it’s too bad, but this is the way my body is when I’m actually healthy. And not how I pretend it to be healthy with a six pack and a crazy desire to devour all my fridge !
As someone who is halfway thru my own weird variation of PIIT28 (do it every other day along with your quick workouts), I’m seeing some ab-ish lines, but like you, could care less if I have them or not. I just want to be stronger and at or at least real close to my go weight
This was so inspiring! And so absolutely true. I completely agree with you Cassie! I am a tall person and my body is long and lean. Sometimes people tell me I have a fat butt but I’m not going to let that get me down or annex what I do! I am stronger than I look. Never let your body define who you are!
this post is so inspiring. there are so many people in my life saying I’m used to be skinny, but I’m not. I try to stay strong and confident, but it’s so hard to face “my problem”.
there should be more people like you saying everyone should love their body as long as their happy with it.
thank you!
xo. tthuy of
http://www.xrubylixious.blogspot.com
Dear Cassey, you are perfect just as you are, and I love that you know that by accepting yourself you become perfect.
I know that people will always try to put other people down, but please know that you’re amazing and an inspiration to so many, myself included.
Cannot wait to start PIIT28.
Thank you for everything, Cassey. You helped me learn to love my body. And you still help me do just that.
Thank you for being you.
Love,
Sarah
Soo true! You have crazy strong abs and are a really fun instructor! As gokaleo talked about on her blog, defined abs is a mixture of body fat percentage and genetics.
I thought you were purposely keeps your tummy six pack less… I personally don’t think it looks good on women… So I just thought you were trying to keep a more feminine appearance! I’ve always thought you looked great!! 🙂
OMG Cassey !! Thank you very much for this post, it is exactly what I needed. I ‘ve been a popster for about 5 years now and about 3 years ago I starting to love it so much that I decided to becoe a fitness instructor and now that I’m 16 my family keeps asking me who i want to be, and I always respond fitness instructor, but they always give me this look like i cant do it because i dont have a six pack or that i dont have a thigh gap and i do have some extra weight on me. But they dont know how strong I am and what I am capable of. This post just reminded me to stop getting those looks and comments to tear me down and discourage me 🙂 Thank you again Cassey <3
You are welcome 🙂
Even bigger OMG !!! You responded I’m totally fan-girling 😀 haha
Awww you do what you want! It’s your life ahead, and I know you can do it! If you want to be a fitness instructor do it! You can do anything with enough passion and strong will!
I’m 17 and I still have no idea what I’m doing with my life!
Wow this is so true! Thank you for writing this Cassey!!
Thank you so much Cassey! I have been following you since forever! As a person recovering from an eating disorder you have truly inspired me (and I bet millions of other) to continue fighting!
This is such a beautiful post and I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve written! It’s such a great feeling to accept your body as is and feel good about yourself. Thank you for this inspiring post love!
My Lovelier Days
You look fantastic Cassey! And we all know what a badass you are, because you put us through our paces every time we do one of your workouts! Keep on rocking that confidence, it’s super inspiring!
I love this! Especially the part where you said you are still happy. Before PIIT, I was going to the gym (which I hate) I wasn’t seeing or feeling the results I wanted and it made me mores stressed and miserable. I quit the gym and started PIIT..then I had to get my appendix removed and had to stop working out for a month. I went right back to PIIT when I was fully recovered and I love it. I HATE working out bc honestly, who has time to go to the gym for an hour 5-6 days a week when you have a full time job and a family of 4 to take care of? I now do the same thing you do, I watch what I eat and I allow myself treats once in a while and I workout 5 days a week to PIIT. I am happy with my workout, I am less stressed, and although I don’t have a 6 pack either I feel stronger and more confident then I EVER have 🙂
Cassey, I loveyou. You’re such an inspiration to many girls and boys out there. Your body looks amazing, lol I don’t understand why people think you need to have abs bc ur a fitness instructor lmao who made that up… I really wonder. You’re healthy, and you live happily and enjoying and that’s all that matters 🙂
Cassey, I’m the same way! Even at my fittest and/or thinnest, I never had defined abs. Always a soft tummy. It’s just how some of us are made, and frankly I think it’s just as pretty/cute/whatever-you-like, and even if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t matter.
I’ve been up and down the body image rollercoaster in the past four years, but it took me until this past year, when I’ve had to almost completely stop workouts due to some bigger medical stuff, to really appreciate my body. It has survived so much and always kept going for me, always kept healing. It’s amazing, and I’ve learned to be so appreciative of my body exactly as it is. The outside is just one fraction of all the amazing things my body does. I like the way it looks, yeah, but more than that, I love all the things it *does.* Right now, that means not giving up on me while I heal. In the past, and one day again, it’ll mean things like lifting and teasers and dancing as much as I want. And all of it is awesome.
“Respect your body as it changes.” That, right there, is one of the most valuable lessons any person can learn – especially those of us who are focused on fitness. Thank you for sharing. <3
Love this! I’m on day 21 of the 30 day challenges and two days ago my husband asked me where the muffin top went. No six pack here either but feeling better and getting more tone.
Thank you so much for this post! I love the way you think about life and I hope I will be able to do that too one day. You are a big inspiration!
Dear Cassey, I can’t even tell you how this article helped me! I’m an amateur boxer, so I’m expected to have sculpted body, defined abs, huge bicep etc, and that’s how my friends from fightclub look like. But I don’t. I have belly fat, my arms are barely defined, and there is no gap between my tighs. I also get comments on me like “she doesn’t look like, but her left hook is so mean”. I felt super insecure to this very moment, when you helped me realised that I’m more than my body. I can defeat a man bigger than me, jump a rope for nearly half an hour, do a whole blogilates video without stopping and punch this punching bag like I mean it! So who cares if I look like other female boxers? Thank you so much Cassey XO
Dear Cassey, this article is AMAZING! I totally recognized myself in your sentences, only I have a slightly different “problem” – for example, I’m a semi-professional runner yet my calves and thighs are relatively “fatty” (not really fat of course) compared to other semi-professional runners and I get a lot of people literally asking me how is it possible that my legs are “fat” while I’m running almost every day of the week… It’s just that my body fat tends to be concentrated there, but as you say, I don’t let that define my capability (as a runner).
That’s so annoying! People need to keep to themselves.
This used to be my problem too!(and still could be) but I hated up my diet and that’s helped a lot. Above all, you are a very strong runner and that’s all that should count!
I think it totally makes sense that everybody’s body is going to develop differently. It totally squashes stereotypes! Congrats for realizing it all on your own and allowing others realize it too!!!
helping others realize it too, i mean <3
Thank you, Cassey! You’ve helped me focus on my health and strength instead of superficial things. (my personal push up best has gone from 4 to 30) I know I’ve only lost 5lbs in these 2 months, but I’ve gained confidence and muscles and I could not feel better. Never stop pursuing your passion! You’ve improved so many lives.
Congrats on your strength gains!
You look amazing Cassey.
You always smile and when I watch your video I feel like being with a friend. So don’t let anybody affect you. Never. ?
Thank you.
You look fantastic! I would never have noticed. Who looks for that anyways????lol!
haha apparently a lot of people
Girl you are beautiful and I understand you, there is so much pressure to look all the same and we need to embrace our uniqueness.
I love your personality and your works outs are so challenging and always feel super sore after.
We need to be stronger not stereotype perfect!!!
Shine my friend and you are awesome!!!
Thank you.
I wish you were a bikini model – then we’d have another example of a healthy, beautiful body that’s not limited to airbrushed impossibility!
Great words, so true. During my fitness yourney (almost 4years with breaks coz of injuries) I have learnt that lesson so many times. However till 2 weeks ago I think I did not umderstand that entirely. But now I feel that when I stopped thinking of goals and hating myself for not fitting in old jeans or eating sweats once in a while, I embraced myself. I feel myself right now, in this moment. Don’t think what is gonna be, what was or what should have happened. And even though I do not like to stand on a scale, I did this 3 weeks ago and last weekend and guess what? I lost 3 lbs 🙂 so just love yourself and all great things will eventually happen 🙂
YESSSS!!! That is what I am talking about!!!
And that is why I love you 😀
Oh Cassey, always the inspiration. I’ve been so focused on getting a six pack for my wedding, but I don’t think my body was really made for one. I needed this to remind myself that it’s okay. Thank you 🙂
You are welcome.
My husband says you are feminine and stronger than him ? You look gorgeous! ( he is Italian!!!?) I agree with him. I wish I was so strong like you…
Aww that is so sweet of you to say.
I love this post Cassey! I know it’s not easy to write about personal topics like this. Thanks for keeping it real <3
Yea, I wanna get back to writing more.
girl, you have an amazing body and are strong as hell. A “6 pack” is just an arbitrary definition of a single body part. You’re right not to let it hold onto you.
You are so so right!