New Year, New Me...right? But, let's leave body negativity in the past.
The holiday season kicks off with a filling meal and a shopping frenzy.
As the first plate of turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes turns into the fifth, we are thankful for our stretchy pants and over-sized sweaters.
As we rest our hands on gluttonous stomachs, we look forward to the next family-oriented holiday.
The end of the year marks the beginning of a new one. The winter festivities sometimes leave us a few pounds heftier and that’s perfectly okay. But, mainstream society encourages us to shed those extra pounds after we pop off the fireworks for the new year.
Remember we are all human and we all have feelings and emotions.
Not everyone is in the best shape of their life. Not everyone has the same idea of “fit” in mind. Some people will only use the gym for one month. Some people will only use their membership until they drop those few holiday pounds.
Others will stick it out and start an entirely new lifestyle this new year.
Regardless of your personal choices, be gentle. Do not judge the woman that walks on the treadmill to the beat of her soap operas. Do not judge the gym rat that looks as if one more bench press will cause a vein to pop. Do not judge the “overweight” man working out in a cut off or the “thicker” woman in just a sports bra and shorts.
Do not make people feel uncomfortable for trying to better themselves.
The gym is a terrifying place for those with body types ousted by society. Prove it wrong. Practice compassion beyond the required two months of the holiday season.
Allow your “new year, new me” routine to include changes to your outer and inner beauty.
