Recently, I was talking to someone about another piece of fitness equipment I was about to acquire and some one else spoke up and asked “Don’t you think you look good enough?”
And it took me back. The misconception of fitness and what it does, what it’s for.
At the beginning of my fitness journey it was about “looking better” more specifically losing weight because I was unhealthy and over weight.
Key word being unhealthy.
Getting healthier and dedicating myself to fitness is more then looking good. It’s about living a full life. It’s about being able to move and play. Being able to keep up with my kid. Being able to move a heavy object without hurting myself. (Love me some Amazon mail!)
That journey never ends.
Not once you “look good” not once you “get old”. Fitness is a part of life. It’s about performance and being able to be fully functional for as long as possible.
It’s about treating your only body correctly.
And you know what? I LOVE IT!
Exercising makes me feel amazing! I love feeling the sweat drip down my back, of totally exhausting my muscles, of the pride and extreme gratitude that I get to move my body the way I do. It’s euphoric the feeling of being able to run faster or lift heavier then I was capable of the days and weeks previous. Watching myself grow and learn. Being able to teach and watch my son how to keep moving and be healthy.
Fitness is truly fun! I love being active, even if it is just going for a walk down the road with my family after dinner.
But thats not to say that sometimes I don’t have motivation. Because sometimes I don’t. And that is ok. It is apart of the fitness journey and being healthy. Sometimes your body does need to rest.
Fitness comes in many forms. So I haven’t just increased my physical fitness, I have also improved my mental fitness. With work and time, exercising gives you the practice and strength to push through mental barriers, create a healthier relationship with your self talk, and gives you the confidence to take on things you once thought you couldn’t do.
So to answer the question
‘Do I think I look good enough,’ – Yes, I think I ‘look’ good enough. But more importantly, I feel good. I feel strong. I feel I have more energy. I feel I can move with purpose for extended periods of time. I feel competent that I can be functional on my own.
Fitness has become my answer for everything.. Exercise when –
Feeling down? Get your heart rate up.
Feeling anxious? Lift some weights.
Lab results off? Go for a run. (And stop eating junk.)
Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that, ect..
Things that have helped me to Feel better
Over the years I have found multiple items that I love to use on a daily basis. Either because it keeps me motivated, its fun to use, or it has helped me to move better.
1.The first thing is My Fitbit!
I love recording things, I love seeing statistics, and the Fitbit does all of that for me. I started with a Fitbit Charge and wore that for about a year and a half consistently. Then the Charge 2 came out and I needed to have it! I love how you can switch bands. I even bought a fancier looking band so I could wear my Fitbit with my wedding dress on the day of my wedding! Wearing my Fitbit during my wedding ceremony was a good move for me because I now have my heart rate recorded of the moment I said ‘I Do!’ To me, that is an awesome piece of the day that I wouldn’t have had without the Fitbit.
It also keeps me motivated. I have it set that at every 10 minutes to the top of the hour it will alert me if I haven’t taken at least 250 steps yet for that hour. Even sitting here writing this blog post it has told me to get up and move. So I just went and ran circles in my kitchen until I got to my 250 steps.
2. Treadmill
If I am feeling anxious, if I want to really sweat, if I want a quick workout, or a good warm up prior to my workout, I get on my treadmill. It has helped me so much! Even when I am unmotivated, (because that does happen), I will make myself at least start walking. Usually within minutes I am running and feel so much better then I was when I got on. I will do intervals or steady state depending on my mood. I will incline it really high and sprint for a minute or so, or just keeping it at an even elevation and zone out listening to my music.
3. Foam Roller
My foam roller is my best friend and worst enemy. It can feel so good to get my muscles warmed up and massaged before (or after) a workout. But when I am really sore it hurts like crazy on those tight muscles at first. Only for it to loosen the muscles up and I am able to move again without feeling stiff. The Foam Roller really is a great mobility and warm up tool.
Need a good Warm Up Routine, click Here!
4. BSN Protein Powder
When I first started to try to get healthier one part of my transformation was to eat more, and more of the right things. My metabolism wasn’t working properly. At the time, eating breakfast was difficult because I had a very needy baby and didn’t have much time for me until his first nap. So I found this Whey Protein from BSN on Amazon. It had a ton of good reviews so I bought some and haven’t been without it since. As soon as I get to the kitchen in the morning I drink a glass of water with one scoop of the BSN Whey Protein (Chocolate Peanut Butter is my favorite!) It fills me up for a couple hours because it has casein protein in it as well. And it gets my metabolism started for the day. I also take it when I need a quick meal during the day or during my workout, or if Im extra hungry before bed. It really helps me stay on track with my macros.
Try this delicious Chocolate Protein Peanut Butter Pudding Recipe!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding
Super easy and delicious pudding. Filled with nutrients and protein! Perfect as a snack or when you are on the mend.
- 8 oz Vanilla Greek Yogurt
- 1 Scoop Chocolate Protein
- 2 TBSP Pb2 Powdered Peanut Butter
- 20 Milliliter Milk
- Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Makes two servings.
5. Dumbbells
Dumbbells can kick your gluteus maximus! They are small so storing them isn’t difficult but you can really sculpt some large muscles. Because you can use them in varying ways dumbbells can grow with you and your progress. Adding weighted movements to a workout routine not only makes you stronger but burns more calories as well. They can pack a good punch in a little amount of time.
Click here for a Full Body Strength and Cardio Workout using Dumbbells!
6. Battle Rope
Sometimes I get board and need to mix up some fun. The Battle rope does just that. Slamming that rope against the ground really doesn’t something to bring out a child like spirit. It is also a good tool to get your heart rate jacked. I usually use my battle rope in a TABATA type workout. I go as hard as I can for a few seconds and then take a quick couple second break before going at it again and again and again. It doesn’t take long to get a good sweat started.
Click HERE for a good Battle Rope Workout.
Fitness Should Be About How You Feel
Fitness is not all about how you look. Forget the mirror. Forget the scale. How do you FEEL? You deserve to feel good all the time. Exercising will get you there and keep you there! Go get your fitness on and have some fun!
Need a new workout program that you can do from home? Download my ebook, Do Something: Home Workout Program and Nutritional Guidelines!
