Kaz Maree Holistic Health and Beauty

WHY DOES BUILDING MUSCLE TAKE ME LONGER?

Because my body isn’t playing by the same rules.

Living with hypermobility means my joints are naturally more unstable. My muscles have to work harder just to keep me supported before they even start building strength.

On some days that means:
• Constant muscle fatigue
• Low-grade inflammation
• Joints that click, shift or feel unstable
• Longer recovery times
• More focus on technique than heavy weights

I may build muscle more slowly than someone without hypermobility, but every session makes my body a little stronger, a little more stable and a little more resilient.

That’s why I keep showing up.

Not because it’s easy.
Because it’s worth it. 🤍

What is the TrA?

The Transversus Abdominis (TrA) is your deepest abdominal muscle.

Think of it as your body’s natural support system.

Unlike the muscles that create a visible six pack, the TrA sits underneath your outer abdominal muscles, wrapping around your torso like a supportive belt.

Its job isn’t to make you look slimmer.

Its job is to help:
✨ Support your spine
✨ Improve stability
✨ Control movement
✨ Create a strong foundation for everything you do

For me, learning about the TrA changed the way I think about core training especially living with hypermobility.

Strong doesn’t always start on the outside.

Sometimes it starts with the muscles no one can see.

Strength is Found Within. 🤍

💛 This post is for educational purposes only and shares general information. It is not intended as individual medical advice.

Everyone is talking about the “Natural Corset.”

But it’s not about chasing a smaller waist.

It’s about understanding one of your body’s most important stabilising muscles.

Meet the Transversus Abdominis (TrA)—your deepest abdominal muscle.

It works quietly behind the scenes to help support your spine, improve movement control and create stability from the inside out.

For me, living with hypermobility has changed the way I train.

I don’t train to become smaller.

I train to become stronger, more stable and more resilient.

Because strength isn’t just about what you can see. 💛 This post is for education and shares general information. It isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice.

Everyone is talking about the “Natural Corset.”

But it’s not about chasing a smaller waist.

It’s about understanding one of your body’s most important stabilising muscles.

Meet the Transversus Abdominis (TrA)—your deepest abdominal muscle.

It works quietly behind the scenes to help support your spine, improve movement control and create stability from the inside out.

For me, living with hypermobility has changed the way I train.

I don’t train to become smaller.

I train to become stronger, more stable and more resilient.

Because strength isn’t just about what you can see.

💛 This post is for education and shares general information. It isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice.

✨ The foods I come back to again and again…

Living with hypermobility has taught me that how I fuel my body matters just as much as how I train it.

Strength training is one of the best things I’ve done for my body, but recovery doesn’t stop when I leave the gym.

These are some of the foods I try to include every week because they help me build a balanced, nutrient-rich diet:

🫐 Berries for antioxidants
🥑 Avocado for healthy fats
🫒 Extra virgin olive oil
🐟 Omega-3 rich foods (or fish oil)
🌰 Walnuts
🫚 Ginger
🥬 Leafy greens
🌱 Chia, flax, pumpkin & sunflower seeds

You’ll also find plenty of cinnamon, blueberries and chia pudding in my fridge most weeks! 💙

Do these foods magically take away pain? No.

But over time I’ve learned that consistently nourishing my body, lifting weights, prioritising sleep and allowing proper recovery all work together to help me feel my best.

This isn’t about perfection.
It’s about giving my body the support it deserves.

💗 This is my personal approach and isn’t medical advice.

8 facts about living with hypermobility that most people don’t see… 🤍

When people look at me, they usually see someone who trains consistently, smiles often and looks healthy.

What they don’t see is the body that’s constantly working overtime.

Hypermobility isn’t just being “flexible.” It can affect your joints, muscles, connective tissue, posture, fatigue levels and recovery. Some days my body feels amazing. Other days, simply getting through the day takes more effort than anyone realises.

I’ve learned that strength training isn’t about chasing perfection anymore—it’s about protecting my body, building resilience and giving myself the best quality of life possible.

If you’re living with hypermobility, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone. 💕

And if you know someone who is… remember that invisible conditions are still very real.

Be kind. We never know what someone is pushing through.

💪 Train smart.
🤍 Recover well.
✨ Keep showing up.
💪

✨ Not sponsored. Just sharing something that’s helped me.

Living with scoliosis, kyphosis and hypermobility means I’m always looking for ways to support my posture especially when I’m strength training.

I recently tried this posture support UnderWunder™ and, honestly, I was pleasantly surprised.

No, it doesn’t aggressively pull your shoulders back (and I actually like that). Instead, it gives a gentle reminder to stand taller and maintain better posture throughout the day.

The biggest thing I noticed?
✨ It felt comfortable.
✨ It sat discreetly under my gym top.
✨ It encouraged better posture without feeling restrictive.

As someone who believes we build resilient bodies not rely on quick fixes I don’t see this as a replacement for strengthening your deep core, improving your breathing or working on posture. Those are still the foundations.

For me, this is simply another tool that complements the work I’m already doing in the gym and through my rehabilitation.

If you live with scoliosis, kyphosis, hypermobility or spend long hours at a desk, it might be worth looking into.

As always, everyone’s body is different, so what works for me may not work for everyone, but I wanted to share my experience because I know so many of you ask what helps.

Have you tried a posture support before? I’d love to hear your thoughts. 💚

Cooly sunshine and salty air. Weekends are for recharging by the ocean before doing it all again. 💙