24/08/2026
Social media can give us a completely false idea of what weāre supposed to look like all year round.
I was speaking to a female client today, over 40, about the number of women she sees online showcasing incredibly lean physiques.
The reality is, we donāt know whatās behind those photos.
They could be old photos from their leanest point, perfect lighting and angles, editing or filters. And even if theyāre completely genuine, it doesnāt mean they look like that 365 days a year.
For most people, staying extremely lean all year round simply isnāt realistic or sustainable.
Thereās another side to this too.
Getting leaner doesnāt automatically give you the physique you want.
I have a male client who constantly wants to lose more weight to look more defined. But at some point, losing more isnāt the answer.
You need the lean mass there in the first place.
That takes resistance training, good nutrition and periods where fat loss isnāt the priority.
And Iām guilty of posting photos from when Iāve been at my leanest too, so I wanted to show the other side.
I 100% donāt stay āphotoshoot leanā all year round.
This photo is me on the beach last week, in a natural setting and roughly where I sit most of the year.
Iām not super lean here, and Iām happy with that.
I train with weights 3ā4 times a week, run, stay active, but I also enjoy meals out, higher calorie days and a few drinks.
Iāve spent years building lean mass. I donāt want to sacrifice that just to stay leaner.
I might lean up once or twice a year, but thatās a phase.
The rest of the time, I want to be strong, enjoy my life and keep things in balance.
Fat loss doesnāt always need to be the goal.