You are not Beyoncé
Have you watched Homecoming yet?
I mean, I know it’s been out for almost a week and a half, but we all have stuff to do.
If you want to see a truly amazing performance go watch it. NOW. Or after you get off work. Whatever.
So, if you don’t know, “Homecoming” is a documentary/concert about Beyoncé’s history making 2018 performance at Coachella.
There’s a scene in the documentary that people in my industry have been losing their minds over.
After getting pregnant unexpectedly with twins, a bunch of pregnancy complications, an emergency C-section, and weighing 218 pounds after she gave birth Beyoncé had to get ready for Coachcella.
Getting ready took eight months – four months of music rehearsals and then four months of dance rehearsals.
And over that eight months she dieted, did intense workouts (sometimes two-a-days), AND did extremely long hours of intense dance rehearsal.
Oh, and that diet: “In order for me to meet my goals, I’m limiting myself to no bread, no carbs, no sugar, no dairy, no meat, no fish, no alcohol – and I’m hungry”.
She talks about this while eating an apple…which has carbs…and sugar, but 🤷🏾♀️
So, here’s the criticism from people in my industry: “Beyoncé isn’t a nutrition coach and shouldn’t be doling out nutrition advice”.
Also, “women and girls are going to see this and try to do what she did to get her results”. (this is like when internet pearl clutches cry, “but what about the children!” 🙄).
OK, I think we all know that Beyoncé isn’t a nutrition coach, and frankly she never claimed to be one.
She also admitted (in so many words) that her approach wasn’t healthy or sustainable, and that she would never push herself like that again.
Beyoncé’s diet is her diet. It’s “good” for HER and the goal she wanted to achieve for Coachella. The way she wanted to present herself and feel in that moment is HER business.
Yep, she could’ve said “Coachella gonna get my 218 pound post-pregnancy body and I’m still gonna slay.” And she would have slayed.
But she didn’t make that choice. She didn’t feel comfortable in her new body, so she went to extreme measures (again, HER choice).
No one gets to tell her or you how YOU should feel in YOUR body.
And we can talk about all the help she had (trainer, choreography, nutritionist, staff), but in the end she had to make the decision to DO THE WORK – day after day, month after month, step after step, rep after rep.
Think of that next time you want that quick fix.
So, what’s my point?
- Again, You are not Beyoncé (or insert your favorite celebrity or elite athlete here). No one is paying you to look or perform a certain way. Their diet or routine shouldn’t be your diet or routine.
- Even without (or with) extremes, progress takes dedication and time. If you’re not willing to put in both maybe this just isn’t your time to work on that goal. Don’t beat yourself up for it. Just own it and move on.
- Be smart. If something sounds extreme or crazy or too good to be true talk to an expert in the area of fitness (Hello, have we met?) or nutrition or both before you embark on a celery and seaweed journey.
- Go watch Homecoming. No for real, go watch it.