Today, I went to the gym, and the lady behind the desk commented, "Wow, you've been putting in a lot of hours."
I laughed and nodded, but then I realized that I've been going pretty consistently for about a month now, a good streak for me. I gave myself a high five and told myself to keep up the good work.
Now, if you clicked on this article to read about my weight-loss journey or to find a few workouts to "get the body you want!" I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. I will be the first to admit I'm no fitness guru. I don't have a fit-sta, and the only diet I participate in is the "See Food" diet, where I see food and I eat it.
So, yes, I exercise pretty regularly. I run distance, I do yoga, I swim, I do push-ups and occasionally squats, and I even pretend I know how to properly use free weights. However, I usually follow these workouts with copious amounts of fried foods, caffeinated beverages, and chocolate.
Counterproductive? Some would say yes. I call it a reward system, and I'm all about it.
We live in a culture that sets a beauty standard for every human of every age, color, and background. These standards are sometimes unrealistic and even occasionally ridiculous.
I mean, we now have poses designed specifically to make our butt selfies the best they can be. What?
The definitions for "beautiful," "in shape," and even "healthy" have changed drastically from year to year. "In shape" no longer simply means thin, and "healthy" means a bit more than just eating your fruits and veggies. If you're aiming to fulfill everything, body-wise, that society says you should, you're in for a long life of tough work and unsatisfied opinions.
Wouldn't it just be easier to forget about all that and do what you want?
Now, I know you're thinking, "This silly blonde. Thinking that one can simply forget the beauty standards that have been ingrained in each of us since we were born. What utter nonsense."
Hear me out, though. We're all individuals, with different bodies and different needs. Doesn't it make sense to choose the healthy lifestyle that works best for you, regardless of what anyone else says (besides medical professionals, who are literally trained in this sort of thing)?
I know. I'm a revolutionary.
In all seriousness, though, are you into CrossFit? Then CrossFit it up! Do you like waking up at 5 am, running five to ten miles, and greeting the sunrise with some morning yoga? I'll be with you in spirit as I'll be sleeping. Do you fancy running ultra marathons that sometimes takes you up twenty miles of a mountain and then down again, making your legs feel like jello and your toenails fall off? I'll admit, I may look at you funny for a moment, but more power to you!
Yoga? Get it. Protein shakes and free weights. Rock and roll, you awesome human. Only can get to the gym every once in a while, but you take the stairs to work every day and choose water instead of Dr. Pepper for lunch? Beautiful.
The point is that there are many ways to be healthy. Don't feel pressured by media insisting you need to have a five-inch waist and a twenty-inch booty. You decide what beautiful, healthy, and in-shape means for you, and YOU go get it! After all, you're the one who lives in your body, not popular media.
So, have fun and be you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with some yoga with a Dark Chocolate Kit Kat for dessert.
