ADVERTORIAL

Training with heavy weights

and still being super feminine

Dove encourages women to be proud of who they are. In the campaign ‘My beauty, my say’, we let strong women speak who, despite opinions and judgments from the outside, follow their passion. This week, it's our Simone, who, besides being an Amayzine editor, is a diehard athlete at all other moments in life.

Everyone who knows you knows that sports is your middle name. Has that always been the case?

‘I have three brothers and we all like to play sports, but not necessarily a lot. In the past, I was told that too much exercise and becoming too muscular was not feminine. At the moment I chose to really start exercising a lot, I often received criticism from others. The more muscular I became, the less feminine it was considered.’

Did this criticism hold you back from exercising?

‘In the past, yes, not anymore. When my relationship fell apart, I looked for a way to release my energy. I was, as you can imagine, not feeling great and exercised six days a week, twice a day. It was an outlet for me, but I was also impressed that my body could handle it. Of course, I sometimes wondered if they might be right and if I was really unhealthy and obsessive. When I made the switch from just cardio training to finding my way in the weight room, I could still feel bad after a jab from people around me. Once I found my rhythm and started seeing more results, I naturally felt not only much stronger but also a lot more confident.’

You do a lot of strength training. How do people react to that?

‘I am often the only woman in the weight room, and men come to lend me a hand when I want to place a heavy weight on the squat bar. As if I can't do that myself... Fitness is often seen as a real man's thing, and women think they will become broad and masculine if they start lifting dumbbells. For that reason, it was always said that it wouldn't be for me. But as a woman, you can actually achieve a beautifully toned body from it.’

You exercise much more than the average person. Do you receive criticism about your exercise regime? And do you adjust to that?

‘More about my disciplined behavior. How on earth I can squat with weights on my shoulders six days a week with sweat on my forehead. I just enjoy exercising. That way, I clear my head. Someone else dives into the pub for that and ends up with a bit of extra weight here or there. Everyone has their thing. I pass on that. I do drink that glass of wine, by the way, but only after training…’

How strict are you with yourself?

‘Quite strict, although I must say that I have become much kinder to myself over the years. I accept that I have a layer over my normally tighter belly during the winter months. I think it's important to be able to grab from that cheese platter on the weekend. A flat stomach is nice, but you have to give up a lot for it. There is more than just broccoli and grilled chicken. Apple pie, for example.’

Do you find it strange when people don't exercise?

‘I find it especially important to let everyone be who they are. Every person is different, and it is especially important to be happy with yourself. Are you happy with big hips? Embrace them (for what it's worth, right). Do you want everything to be a bit tighter? Then you shouldn't complain and get off that couch. You really won't get those tight thighs just like that.’

On social media, the most perfect version of someone is often shown. Do you think that gives a wrong impression?

‘The whole fit girl hype on social media seems to have blown over a bit, and I am very happy about that. I increasingly see normal photos of still fit chicks, as we like to call them, but who do have a ‘normal’ roll that you just have when you take that one pose. Fortunately, I have learned to accept myself over the years. Every body is different, and everyone has a different build. Take a Kayla: drop-dead gorgeous, but only 25 years old and slender. I just have a different body.’

Do you post a lot on social media?

‘Yes, I do, but not because I want validation from the outside world. I do want to show that I train HARD for this and make sacrifices. And I don't do it just to keep that flat stomach; it's a lifestyle, and I do it for myself. I think it's important to take good care of my body. You don't do that just by moving enough; you also do it by eating healthy and taking your rest.’

Summer is coming. Does anything change in your mindset?

‘In the summer, I am just a bit more in shape than in the winter. The nice weather is coming back, and that gives me adrenaline butterflies and the urge to train off the winter fat.’