Strong Over Skinny- Choosing the Long Game

In my early 20s, I struggled deeply with anorexia. It was a challenging chapter of my life that required a lot of support, therapy, and honest inner work to move through. Over the years, my focus has slowly but powerfully shifted - away from chasing thinness and towards building a body that feels healthy, strong, and well.

I’m not perfect, and it’s always a journey, but I genuinely feel I’ve worked my way towards a much more grounded place with my health and wellbeing. My priority now is living a long, energised life in a body that feels capable — not just one that looks a certain way.

That’s why the current narrative around shrinking bodies has been on my mind lately. With the rise of GLP-1 medications and the growing celebration of being smaller and smaller, I’m noticing more and more people rapidly losing weight. And if I’m honest, it has stirred some old thoughts and feelings at times. I am neither for nor against GLP-1 medications. They absolutely have an important place for certain medical conditions and can be life-changing when used appropriately. What does concern me is the growing focus on aesthetics over strength and long-term health.

Because what I’m seeing in some women is this:

Yes , they may be smaller. But often, they are lacking muscle.

And long term, that matters.

Muscle is not just about how we look. It supports our metabolism, protects our bones, stabilises our joints, and helps us stay independent and pain-free as we age. Healthspan - the quality of the years we live, depends heavily on maintaining strength. The body I want (and the one I want for my clients) is one that feels capable, energised, and resilient well into midlife and beyond.

And that doesn’t come from quick fixes. It comes from consistency. Not harder workouts. Not punishing sessions. Not one intense hour a week.

But this steady rhythm:

• 3–5 workouts per week

• a mix of strength, Pilates, and mobility

• daily walking

• eating enough nourishing whole foods

• prioritising rest and recovery

This is what builds a body that lasts.

I understand the temptation of quick results — truly, I do. But I keep coming back to one simple question:

How do I want to feel in 10, 20, 30 years? For me, the answer is always the same:

Strong. Capable. Pain-free. Well-fuelled. Resilient.

If the noise around shrinking ever makes you doubt your beautifully strong body, let this be your reminder:

You are not behind. You are building something far more valuable.

Let’s keep moving to get strong- not skinny. 💛