You know what your New Year’s Resolution should be this year, ladies? Throw away that darn scale of yours. Pitch it. Bye-bye.
As women, we can get so fixated on that stupid number. I know we’ve all heard it before, but it’s oh so true, it IS just a number. Instead of going on a diet or trying some new fad, let’s just re-boot our lifestyle. Let’s get in that gym or grungy basement, and get fit. You will gain so much more confidence by working that body of yours than looking down at a scale and seeing a number that either goes up or down.
What I Gained When I Gained
I started working out about 18 months ago and it was a game-changer. At first, yes, the pounds did drop. I was almost at my wedding weight. It was exciting at the time because I was changing my lifestyle by exercising about 5-6 days a week. I primarily took Pilates and Barre classes at Genesys Athletic Club. These classes are still awesome, but my mind and body wanted to be pushed. And pushed it was! I started running and taking HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes. It was HARD. Especially the running. Ugh. I still don’t know why I punish myself. So, after taking those classes for a few months and running, my jeans began to fit just a tad snug. I begrudgingly hopped on that scale. I wondered….
Yup. Up 5 pounds. I knew it. I know 5 pounds isn’t much, but I’m only 5 feet tall. I will admit that I wasn’t thrilled. BUT, these 5 pounds are mostly made up of new muscle (and beer and pizza, of course). These 5 pounds helped me run my first half marathon. These 5 pounds helped me athletically do things I thought I’d never be able to do again. These 5 pounds gave me a kind of confidence that I haven’t had since college soccer. I’m over the gaining of the 5 pounds, because with them, I gained much more.
Our Daughters are Watching
Growing up, my mom never discussed body image with me. She never discussed her body. She never discussed mine. She didn’t go on crash diets. She didn’t lecture me on my eating. When we went shopping (which was far too often), she never told me that outfits made me look skinny, chunky, etc. Even now she’ll say, “you can really tell you’re working out. You look strong.” The words “skinny’ and “fat” were not and are not uttered. Never. Bodies are bodies. That’s it. And you know what? It worked. My 5 foot tall, athletic build with stocky legs never felt inadequate. I never wanted to be skinnier or even taller. Sure, there were times I wished my thighs were smaller, but I was an athlete. Those thighs helped me dominate on the field. Kick some ass.
When you go on your diet or hit the gym at the start of this year, try not to discuss the scale or feeling fat aloud. We all have those days. Instead however, simply bore your poor husband or best friend with them. Your daughter hears those things. She will eventually learn that it is normal to question your body and its shape, not the awesome things that IT CAN DO. I’m not trying to scare you, ladies, but your daughter’s body image as a young woman, is partially in your hands as her mother. Instead of the scale, share with her what kind of workout your body accomplished, the healthy food choices you make to fuel your body, and the goals you set. She will see and hear the drive within you. When I get home from running, my little 2 year old doesn’t say, “How many pounds did you lose, Mommy?” Instead, she asks, “How many miles, Mommy?” I get so excited to tell her what my imperfect body can still accomplish in my mid-30s.
The female body is amazing, ladies. We created tiny humans and then birthed them for crying out loud! Be damn sure that your body can get strong and accomplish things you never dreamed. Work on that, instead of putting pressure on yourself to lose the weight. If you shed some pounds in the meantime, awesome. If you gain some, I bet you’re also gaining some well-earned muscle, too
What are some of your fitness goals? We’d love to hear how you are working those bods of yours!
Beautifully said, Angela!! Our girls learn what they see! Which is terrifying.