What Do You See When You Look In the Mirror?

My Tips for Building Better Body Confidence

When you walk into the classroom for Zumba and look in the mirror, how do you feel about the person looking back at you?

This week we’re talking about the big topic of body confidence – something that comes to mind when we see our reflections in the mirror, but that I believe actually builds from within, having less to do with our outer appearance than we might initially think.

In a world overflowing with images, it often feels like we're constantly seeing our own reflections, alongside everyone else's seemingly "perfect" moments online.

It's super easy for our eyes to drift to those "problem places" or for us to compare ourselves to flawless, filtered faces. But here’s the honest truth I’ve learned from dancing with women of all ages, from girls to grandmas, postpartum moms to celebrities: it's totally normal to have mixed feelings towards our bodies. We all have days we feel proud, and days we struggle to find one part we genuinely like.

As someone who spends A LOT of time in rooms filled with mirrors every single day, facing my reflection is an unavoidable part of my job. So, how do I keep my body confidence strong during class, even on the days I'd rather just hide?

Here are some ways I've learned to lean in and truly connect with my body:

• Gratitude: I practice gratitude for what my body can do. Feeling my heart beat faster, my muscles powering a jump, my bones supporting me – that appreciation shifts my focus away from perceived flaws to feeling lucky I’m able to move. It's about celebrating capability, not just appearance.

• Focus on Feeling: Whether it's the sheer joy of a high-five during a song, the serene beauty of the cool-down stretch, or just that exhilarating feeling of sweating buckets, when I tune into the big emotions of what it means to be alive and moving, things like my wrinkles or the areas that wobble don’t take center stage.

• Cut the Comparisons: Whether you're comparing yourself to an Instagram model, the amazing dancer next to you, or even a previous version of yourself, comparison is called the thief of joy for a reason. It often gives us a false sense of inferiority or superiority based on something outside of ourselves instead of being grounded in our indisputable self-worth.

  
  

• Watch the Self-Talk: Wanna know who's actually judging you during class? It's often you yourself. Can you flip that script? Instead of "My arms look terrible," try "My soft arms give amazing hugs and are getting more powerful every time I come to class!" As corny as it may sound, purposefully rephrasing my self-talk has made a real difference in showing myself the kind of grace I would give to someone I love.

• Put it in Perspective: Our bodies are incredible, but they also inevitably change with age. Focusing only on appearance can distract us from working on the kinds of skills we truly want to maintain as we get older, like the independence for daily tasks and the ability to keep doing the things we love. It's about long-term well-being which requires consistency and time, not just a fleeting image.

  
  

• Dress for YOU: You definitely don't need the latest or greatest fashion in my class; just wear what makes you feel comfortable and allows you to move freely. When you feel good in what you're wearing, you'll feel more confident and dance with more joy!

• Embrace "Enough": Perfection simply doesn't exist, no matter what social media portrays or what you think you know about that stranger. Believing you are enough means you are worthy of respect and self-love regardless of how you look on any given day. It means looking back at the person in the mirror and being proud of them for showing up and working to keep daily habits and promises. It's knowing you are worth more than your appearance. For me, this often means reminding myself that I don't owe a perfectly curated appearance to anyone and that my body is not my business card or a measure of how much joy my students get out of class.

What does embracing enough look like for you?

Body confidence in this day and age may seem harder than ever to achieve, even with all the airbrushing, procedures, and wellness advice out there. The pressure we perceive from society, others, and ourselves can feel like an uphill battle.

We may not LOVE how our bodies look every single day or every time we step into the classroom. But I truly believe with practice, we can shift our focus and show our bodies the respect and love they deserve, celebrating all they allow us to do!

Come join us in class this week and let's practice this together! 

Keep moving!

xx,

Katie

#bodyconfidence #confidencethroughzumba #confidencethroughdance #confidance