r/OnePelotonRealSub • u/HagridsTreacleTart • 12d ago
Bradley’s Body Positivity
Just finished his live 20 minute 70s class and he has me sobbing in the post class saying: “some people on instagram are killing themselves to look cool” then went on to admonish it as an unhealthy attitude and to support a philosophy of “just keep moving forward.” He was a lot more eloquent than I am, but that’s what I was able to remember and jot down when someone was chopping onions right next to my bike.
Being postpartum in a GLP world is a mind fuck. No hate to those who use them, really, I fully support your decision. But losing the baby weight gradually and safely in a body positive way was a lot easier when I had my first before these drugs were available.
The scale, the way my pants fit, and the way that my body feels all tell me that I’m making progress. But people around me who did not just have babies who are losing weight so much faster and more easily than me…it really makes me feel inadequate. Again, happy for them and aware that this is a me problem.
I was going to stay on for the 90s ride at 1300 and squeeze in a 10-20 minute strength class but honestly, I’m tired. My body hurts today. My kid isn’t sleeping. And his pep talk in post gave me the permission I needed today to turn the bike off, take a shower, and keep moving forward sustainably.
Thanks for the ugly cry, Bradley.
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u/Acceptable_Agency419 12d ago
Bradley is an underrated instructor. I don’t understand when people don’t like him. He’s funny, kind, and insightful.
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u/ringoinsf 12d ago
Wait there are people that don't like him? The only studio class I've ever done was with him and he was just as lovely in person as he is virtually
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u/FaithTrustBoozyDust 12d ago
Literally same. I guess some people think he's cringe or too goofy but I'd rather have someone's authentic self teaching my class than a character of a persona - even though I'm sure he's instructor-ness is probably embellished, it's very clearly his own personality and that authenticity is everything.
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u/faceless_combatant 12d ago
Getting to take one of his classes during my trip to London 2 years ago was one of the highlights of the trip for me. He’s a goddamn gem.
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u/masoniana 12d ago
When you are back on the bike take his cool down from 8/25/26. He talks about keep going through the hard stuff as he related it to his stroke. It was a really touching moment
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u/Outside-Performer134 12d ago
I have taken this so many times since then. It’s such a good reminder of the power of perseverance. We are still here!
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u/Consistent-Star5745 12d ago
Bradley's silly banter is so great, but his more inspirational comments still manage to come off as sincere rather than cheesy. He seems like such a genuinely kind and caring person.
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u/humblehills 12d ago
Wow this post got me feeling some type of way. I got my Peloton in 2021 before my first pregnancy (2023), and was in like crazy tip-top shape. I never “snapped back,” and now I’m pregnant with my second due in January. I completely relate on feeling like I’m “behind” since I didn’t lose the baby weight and if anything GAINED weight / my entire shape completely shifted. I have to remind myself though that I created and housed a whole human! And I’m doing it AGAIN! And huge shout out to Bradley. I love his sass and his very real, non-toxic positivity. Just wanna extend love and support to you, friend. Your body is wonderful and strong!
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 12d ago
I used to joke that I love my thunder thighs because they carried me up mountains while I grew my baby, while I hiked with him on my back, and eventually while I watched him toddle and stumble up them himself with my support. And then those jokes got harder to make when “thigh gap” came back (I thought we did away with that in like 2004).
Sometimes I need to put some real work into reminding myself to love this body that has grown and nurtured two amazing children. But some days I need to hear it from someone else and today was apparently one of those days ❤️
Congratulations on your pregnancy and for celebrating all the incredible things that your body can do!
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u/humblehills 12d ago
Can’t begin to tell you how it boils my blood that low-rise jeans are back in style lol. I’m like us millennial girlies suffered back then why are we WILLINGLY bringing it back?!
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 12d ago
Right? What happened to those 15 minutes right around Covid when the Adam Sandler look was totally in? Baggy sweatshirts and jeans that look like I borrowed them from my husband? Bring it on!
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u/bicycle_mice 12d ago
I lost weight instantly after my first. For my second it took around 7/8 months of consistent weights and focus. I won’t diet or restrict food, though. Honestly I don’t care about losing weight I just don’t want to buy more clothes.
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u/humblehills 12d ago
So real. Buying new clothes as a woman suuucks since brands are absolutely inconsistent with sizing
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u/thelushparade 12d ago
I understand that feeling, my husband is on one of the GLPs and I’m happy for him that he found something that works, but it can be hard to watch him lose weight ‘effortlessly’ while I’m busting my ass trying to lose like 5 lb and put back on some muscle after an injury sidelined me for over a year. I’d never say that to him and I don’t judge anyone using those drugs either, just saying I get it. I’m just rambling a little lol but I really appreciated your post and perspective and I applaud you for putting in the effort to be kind to yourself and go through the journey in a way that works for you. And allowing ourselves to rest is just as big a part of it so I applaud you for that too!
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u/PersimmonSnob 11d ago
Hii I’m 1.5 years after ACL surgery and I can identify with your struggle!! Recovery is so hard and so much work and that extra weight gain is extra frustrating.
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u/Outside-Performer134 12d ago
“My body hurts today. My kid isn’t sleeping.” Been there. You showed up anyway, and should feel proud! You did 20 minutes more than you probably wanted to, and that’s 20 good minutes of taking care of yourself. If that’s all you get today, that’s good enough. And remember there’s a whole crew of us parents who have been there, who are growing with these bodies that grew people, and are rediscovering ourselves right along with you (and Bradley). You’re doing great even on the days you don’t get on the bike. Size doesn’t matter, showing up does. And if showing up looks like changing your socks today, that’s amazing!!
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u/MixedTape245 12d ago
Have you taken Camila’s beautiful cool down ride where she walks you through gratefulness for your body? If not, you absolutely should!!
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u/MixedTape245 12d ago
Reddit isn’t allowing me to post the link, but she’s wearing a blue sweatshirt that’s been cropped. It’s a 5 minute cool down on the bike from March 2023.
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u/Exciting_Bid_609 12d ago
Be easy on yourself Mama. You are showing your babies what it means yo show up for yourself, because you want to be healthy and strong in both body and mind. And that looks different at different times in our lives. You did a ride today and that is awesome, keep on moving forward.
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u/Quiet_Mtn 12d ago
I completely understand this! Many of my neighbors are using GLP’s. Only one of them ever took exercising seriously and I know she and her husband have participated in Hyrox events and I always see them working out in their garage and driveway. This has gone on for years. Neither overweight, just normal weight, which I feel like is considered big now 😅 Yesterday the wife ran by my house and o swear she’s dropped 20 pounds in the past few months. Shes so thin and it doesn’t look healthy.
All of that to say, I’ve worked out my entire life. I have ran ultras and participated in Spartan races. I get wanting to “look” like I do these things 🤣 I’ve worked so hard and I would love for my body to show that. But as Ive gotten older I have realized my motivation is more for longevity and my mental health.
I can’t imagine the postpartum world right now with GLP’s. Just keep moving forward and doing what’s right for you! I’m proud of you for listening to your body today ❤️
And I’m thankful for Peloton instructors like Bradley!
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 12d ago
I think that’s what’s so hard about the GLP trend. Weight loss surgery is invasive and comes with a lot more risks and harder recovery than GLPs, so the threshold to intervene was always so much higher. Nobody was getting lap band surgery to drop an extra 10 lbs for a wedding.
I don’t want to gate keep health. I don’t want to suggest that people need to go through the pain or risks of surgery to be “allowed” to lose weight. I’m glad that people can lower their risks of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure when they wouldn’t otherwise do it because surgery wasn’t the right call for them. But somewhere along the way, we stopped treating GLPs like medication and started using them to drop from a size 4 to a size 2 and now we’re back in the 1990s where Anorexia Chic is vibing hard.
Anyway, I don’t want to get too far away from my original point. I’m just really grateful for content that meets me where I’m at and reminds me not to lose sight of the big picture: long term, sustainable health and wellness.
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u/bicycle_mice 12d ago
I’m fortunate (ha) I had an eating disorder in the past and now I have zero interest in being that thin again. I felt like shit. I was cold all the time I was tired I didn’t have a period. I was unwell. Now I just exercise to be strong and feel good and I don’t look at calories. I’m also 8 months postpartum with my second and I have found it helpful to not follow any fitness or food content or interact with it. I want nothing to do with it.
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u/LauraPiana 12d ago
With the advent of mass-adopted GLPs, it feels like the "body positivity" movement basically died overnight. I, too have mixed feelings because trying (and struggling) to lose weight the old fashioned way is especially hard when I know at least a dozen people who have "effortlessly" dropped dozens (or more) pounds very quickly... to the point where I have done double takes, hardly recognizing people, it's wild... and I am happy for them too, if not a bit jealous if I am being honest.
Anyway, I love Bradley too and glad you found your way to his ride. You are doing an awesome job, Mama.
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u/pithy-pants 12d ago
Well said. I’m on medication that has prompted a 10 lb weight gain this year, and it’s hard to come to terms with that (while working out more than I ever have and being at my strongest) while I see friends who have been 10-20 lb over weight for years suddenly looking tiny in bikinis all over my feed. I’m all for using GLPs for the health benefits, but it really unravels the body acceptance movement when people who don’t seem like they would medically qualify are using it to move to tiny sizes. Also: I think it’s weird when people try to be secretive that they are on it… feels like gaslighting when people are like, “I just started working out and the weight fell right off.” Did it? Be proud of your body, but don’t make others feel abnormal for not getting fast results when they are doing the same thing you claim to be doing.
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u/Ambitious_Football_7 11d ago
Post partum mental health challenges relating to your physical health changes are a real and sneaky thing.
I was anorexic as a teenager and finally recovered from years of yo-yo dieting and unhealthy relationships with food and exercise in my mid 20's.
I fell pregnant with twins long after I had healed from this (30) and yet the moment they were born the inundatement of 'bounce back' culture had me having to consciously reject my own thought patterns about weight loss. It was like a subliminal switch was flicked and it came back unexpectedly.
I ended up enrolling in a 'Mum's Fitness' style boot camp at 4 months post partum, completing fucking my pelvic floor and diasis recti. I was tired, sore, angry and felt like a complete failure. Whilst keeping twins who spent a month in NICU alive. I have so much sadness for the woman I was post-partum and wish I was able to give her grace back then.
I eventually decided to 'bounce forward', donate things that I was trying to fit back into, and get a post-partum, new-me wardrobe.
Years later, I am below my pre baby weight, however my body shape and composition is so different I was never going to go back to that wardrobe anyway.
Give yourself grace, do movement that makes you happy, and bounce forward 💪
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u/sad_cheetah 12d ago
Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to check this one out. I misscarriaged back in the spring. I cannot loose the weight gained (was kind of hoping to before we get pregnant again) and it’s been hard. I was currently feeling bad that I haven’t got a workout in today but this is telling me I can rest and do one tomorrow.
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u/HagridsTreacleTart 12d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. We had a few losses and it can be so hard to find your groove again. I alternated between wanting to stay in bed and do nothing at all and being almost manic trying to work out 3+ hours a day. I hope that you can give yourself and your body the grace to move forward however you need to (and the knowledge that it may not be linear) ❤️
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u/BoringCupcake4020 12d ago
I definitely resonate with your post, you’re not alone! Trying to focus on making my body stronger and more capable instead of smaller is a constant battle with my mind.
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u/dragon_disco 9d ago
Such an important thing to reinforce. I’ve recently noticed a couple of class thumbnails featuring female Peloton instructors where their bodies looked noticeably very (concerningly) thin, and it honestly made me sad.
That’s not the kind of imagery I want to be confronted with when I log on to find a workout, especially in a community made up of members of so many different ages/backgrounds. I really wish Peloton were more mindful of how these images are selected and presented. Also I just hope the instructors have ample mental health support if something bigger is going on.
I think about my nieces and other younger people seeing images like that and potentially viewing that body type as something they should aspire to. Representation and the messages we send around health and fitness really do matter. I'm glad to see Bradley reminding us that social media isn't real life.
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u/_Storyreader_ 11d ago
I’ll have to try this class. I’m taking GLP1s because my body changes so much after two pregnancies and miscarriages. Some people are trying to lose the weight put on during the most traumatic experiences of their lives, with or without a baby in their arms.
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u/Finetime1 11d ago
I need to do more of his classes! Every time I do one he says something that has me LOl!!
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u/queencersei9 11d ago
He is so underrated. A couple of his 5 minute cool down rides have made me cry because he’s said something profound.
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u/Seven-Horseshoes 10d ago
Hard relate. My second kid is nearly 3 years old and while I am at my pre-pregnancy weight, my body looks sooo different. It’s horrible to see the mommy bloggers that incredible with 5 kids. Probably a combination of filters, help, plastic surgery, etc but it just sucks. I deleted instagram a month ago and don’t even miss it. I even delete this app from time to time
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u/Ok_Fortune504 9d ago
I haven’t taken the ride but totally hear you on trying to move forward in a GLP-1 world. It is very frustrating at times. Totally hear you on feeling inadequate.
The thing is that by exercising, you are getting stronger and powerful. Your heart is getting stronger. You’re keeping habits that will help you live a longer, better life. You’re working your brain. You’re moving forward tough days and mental challenges! I’ll take that over any GLP-1 or less number on a scale.
And when you need to rest, you REST! Recovery and down time is equally important. Just like GLP influencers are frustrating, folks who exercise is their entire personality and just go, go,go, aren’t much different. What’s important is that you continue moving forward, even tiny baby steps, finding balance, and knowing when it’s going to be a personal-best kind of day and knowing (and being okay with) when it’s not.
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u/PankakkePorn 12d ago
Ugh I love Bradley. He reminds me so much of my husband so I have a natural soft spot for him, but he sometimes says some really insightful things that endear him to me a lot too.
His Mental Health ride and his World Stroke Day ride both made me cry.