Riva Siggins Embraces Healthy Weight Gain For Performance Goals

In a revealing social media post, online coach Riva Siggins opened up about her transformative journey from an extreme, aesthetics-driven regimen to a balanced, performance-focused lifestyle. Her candid reflection highlights how healthy weight gain, often overlooked in fitness conversations, can be an integral part of achieving strength and endurance in sports like Hyrox and long-distance running.

A Journey Beyond Aesthetics

Riva’s post compares images from two different points in her fitness journey. On one side, she recalls the days of intense bodybuilding prep—a period marked by strict low-calorie diets, endless cardio sessions, and a laser-focused pursuit of rock-solid abs. This phase, she explains, was all about aesthetics: an hour of cardio every day, relentless calorie cutting, and an unsustainable approach that left little room for food freedom. However, the body sculpted to meet competitive standards did not provide her with the energy, balance, or overall health she craved.

Transitioning from this harsh routine, Riva embraced a new path geared toward performance and well-being. In the recent image, she proudly displays a physique that may not boast the chiseled look of her leaner past but enables her to train for four Hyrox competitions and conquer half marathon challenges. “I feel strong, healthy and fuelled,” she writes, underscoring that her goals are now more about optimizing performance rather than maintaining an ultra-lean aesthetic.

Mindset Shift And Performance Priorities

One of the striking elements of Riva’s narrative is her shift in mindset. She admits that her mind sometimes lingers on the loss of her former lean self, a remnant of a time when her picture-perfect body was the only measure of success. Yet, she reminds herself regularly that her current performance-focused body is a victory in its own right. As she puts it, the body on the right gives her the freedom to train, recover, and be fully present in everyday life—even when indulging in holiday fun with loved ones. Her empowering message resonates with many who struggle to balance physical appearance with overall well-being.

Riva also speaks of mental clarity that comes with this new approach: “I’m now back at maintenance letting my body adjust naturally,” she shares, adding that this transformation has extended beyond physical gains. It is a holistic journey that intertwines nutrition, body positivity, and a realistic approach to health. The coach is quick to point out that her goals this year were never centered on looking a certain way but on performing at her best.

The Role Of Nutrition And Recovery

Alongside the physical changes, Riva emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition and recovery. While her earlier regimen involved extreme restriction and constant pushing, her current routine allows for a small surplus when necessary to support performance. The switch from a bodybuilding pre-style—where every meal was calculated and strenuous daily cardios were the norm—to a balanced eating pattern is a message many can appreciate in today’s fitness conversations.

In a related look back on her previous posts, Riva mentioned that the scale and measured aesthetics do not provide the whole picture of one’s health. She shared a previous caption describing how at her leanest she suffered from issues like lack of energy and menstrual irregularities, whereas a balanced approach helped her restore overall well-being. This consistency across her social media updates demonstrates her commitment to an honest dialogue about the ups and downs of a fitness journey.

Embracing Change And Inspiring Others

The transformation Riva Siggins has undergone is not just physical—it is deeply personal. Reflecting on her past, she recalls the challenges of strict bodybuilding prep where every day was a battle against intense physical pressure. Now, in a life phase where she is only two weeks away from a holiday, she celebrates the new freedom and improved energy that her performance-oriented lifestyle has brought. She even adds a light-hearted assurance that her partner, Alex, won’t care about a six-pack abs standard when they’re making memories together on holiday.

Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that health and fitness are not one-size-fits-all. By sharing her own story, Riva hopes to spark conversations about healthy weight gain, acceptance, and the different definitions of success in the world of fitness. She challenges the prevailing notion that only low body fat and visible abs are markers of health, urging followers to appreciate the broader benefits of a body that is strong, resilient, and adaptable.

Across her Instagram feed, Riva has also shared insights and tips on nutrition, recovery, and consistency in training. In past posts, she has talked about staying away from extreme low-calorie diets, embracing moderation, and labelling the fitness journey as a series of personal milestones rather than a constant pursuit of perfection. Her message is clear: change isn’t easy, but celebrating progress—no matter how unconventional it may seem—is essential for long-term success.

The dialogue that Riva has created around healthy weight gain is refreshing and necessary. At a time when many find themselves comparing their current selves to idealized images from the past, her honest reflection encourages a more humane look at fitness. It’s a narrative that privileges performance, mental health, and sustainable lifestyle changes over fleeting trends.

As Riva gears up for her upcoming competitions and holiday adventures, she remains an inspiring figure for those who are learning to redefine what success means in the health and fitness arena. Her journey underscores that being truly fit is not just about the numbers on the scale or the definition of muscle—it’s about finding balance, fostering self-trust, and embracing evolution at every stage of life.

Reporter

Manjari Uppal

 

Manjari is a lifestyle writer with over three years of experience creating content across beauty, wellness, and sports. She discovered her passion for writing during her school years and refined her skills during her post-graduation at Manipal University, where she gained expertise in research and writing.

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