hot girl summer

If I go to one more workout class where the instructor tries to motivate us by giving a “summer body” pep talk, I might scream. 

The energy in a room full of sweaty bodies eagerly nodding along to someone shouting about a “summer body” is giving women in the 80’s following along a Pilates VHS tape in their living room. Are we progressive, or are we the subconscious reincarnate of the obedient housewife exercising in a leotard and legwarmers during her child’s nap time to look good for her husband? I like to believe that as a society, our interest in exercise exceeds these outdated patriarchal ideals. 

And in a lot of ways, it has. 

It’s only natural to want your hard work and pricey investment to pay off in some tangible way. But the thing is, often exercise works in ways we can’t see… Whether it’s elevated mood, increased metabolism, better sleep quality. Your healthiest body might not actually be your slimmest body.

The problem with the concept of the “summer body” is that it promotes the idea that we workout merely to look good. Particularly when there’s a higher chance that more of our bodies will be seen by others… Like in the summer, say… At the beach. 

It also normalizes becoming fit for a season. Scrambling to shape up under the threat of your bathing suit rather than being healthy year round. This, unfortunately, is a mostly ineffective strategy. I hate to be the burster of bubbles, but taking an extra Pilates class here and there isn’t going to magically transform your body. 

Physical results usually come when you stop looking for them; when you switch your intention from looking good to feeling good. When your attention to your fitness goes beyond the scale and the circumference of your waistline. Maybe then you’ll be able to feel yourself grow stronger and see your radiant post-workout glow-up from increased collagen production. 

What really makes for a hot girl summer? 

Taking those extra daylight hours to invest in personal growth for you. Whatever it may look like. Not just for your body, but for your creative goals.

After all, there’s more to summer than working out and planning that next beach side photo shoot.