Ok let me get real for a sec on this wonderful Friday. Deeeeeep breath.
I’ve been contemplating this post for the past few weeks because it’s pretty personal. And to be honest, there are some really not-so-nice people in the world today. But Heather (OTF trainer) whom I absolutely adore said to me, “If you are nervous… it is worthy. Go get it.” SO..
Here.
Goes.
Nothing.
Loving your body is a bit challenging when it’s changing so much; it’s been a struggle since Nov 2015. I try very hard to stay focused on my fitness goals as a true measurement of my success rather than the number on the scale. But I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard BECAUSE IT IS.
I recently fell off track and was bashing myself left and right: my legs aren’t perfect, my arms have flab, my stomach is meh. I couldn’t stop. I ended up crying and feeling defeated; the amount of work I’ve put in and I wasn’t happy with my appearance. And then I realized how many other women do this to themselves, I hear it all the time. It was in that moment that I decided to celebrate what my body CAN DO despite the way it looks.
Let’s celebrate our bodies!
I’ve lost 95lbs so far.
I’ve been doing HIIT workouts 6 days a week.
I lift heavy weights.
I’ve ran multiple 5Ks and one 10K.
I run a 9:52 mile.
I’m a size 10/12.
I can do things that I never imagined my body could do.
And this is what my body looks like almost naked and I’m so darn proud of it.
These shoulders and my chest.
Without them I wouldn’t be able to chest press 80lbs (8 reps!) or 100lbs (2 reps assisted!)
These arms and that loose underarm skin.
Without them I wouldn’t be able to do a double bicep curl 20-25lbs each arm.
These legs with no thigh gap.
Without them I wouldn’t be able to run all those miles or squat. (10k, multiple 5ks, run 5 days per week.)
This stomach with that skin (abs are somewhere under there!)
Without them I wouldn’t be able to do pike-up or knee tuck to push-ups on an ab dolly.
All of that↑↑ I couldn’t do that 10 months ago. Heck, not even 4 months ago. And no matter how uncomfortable I may be showing myself (almost) naked to the world, I never want to be as uncomfortable I was every single day looking like this.
This journey has been hard as hell. It’s been emotional. It’s been life-changing. But it’s been an absolute blessing.
Change doesn’t happen over night; it takes hours of hard work, sweat, frustration and tears. And while there is really no way to quantify it all, always know that YOU ARE worth it.
Appreciate the journey.
Appreciate how far you’ve come, even if you aren’t where you want to be.
Appreciate your supporters (especially my husband, Chris.) There are not enough thanks in the world for each of you {special shoutout to: Chris, Wilson, Heather & Kristian!} Each of you have helped me get out of my head and show me that I’m a fighter and that I’m stronger than I think. Each of you challenge, motivate and encourage me. Each of you have changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without each of you.
For those of you going through a journey; never give up and fight for what you want.♥
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I love you and I love this post!!! Thank you for sharing your journey! You seriously look amazing! It is so important to love your body, and I think the more real women show off their real bodies the easier it will be for all women to love themselves!
<3 Thanks so much Lindsay! I hope the girls learn to love every bit of themselves despite what other girls think. :-)
Inspiring words. They really hit home for me. I’m always surprised to see that someone at OTF is experiencing the same emotions that I am. When we are there I guess we’re all in the zone, looking confident and feeling great. Maintaining that drive and confidence outside of the studio is sometimes as hard as that last 1-minute-all-out! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Natascha! I always tell people, going to the gym (especially OTF) is the easy part. And I’m determined to keep inspiring others because I have those that inspire me! Keep feeling great, and always be confident! <3
So inspiring! We all forget to focus on positives and improvements, my theory is that our brains are wired to see the negatives first. Keep up the great work.
Outstanding post! I have had the same journey with OTF. It’s definitely difficult to share about the head game you have to fight throughout this journey…plus being vulnerable enough to post pictures! It’s even difficult sometimes to accept the compliments that come with your progress. You are doing an amazing job…keep sharing, keep believing, keep fighting! ❤
Thanks Jessica. I think I actually remember seeing yours on the Woodstock FB page! It’s been hard (as I’m sure you know), but honestly, OTF has helped me so much from improving my health and increasing my confidence in myself.
Look at you! A beautiful, strong, and healthy woman.
Be proud of your amazing body. Keep taking care of it. Be nice to you. Enjoy your life.
OTF is no joke. If you can push and go all out you’re a rock star. ❤️❤️❤️ (I am lucky to have a studio a mile from my house. I love it)
And I think your curves are lovely anyway. Not everyone has to have a washboard stomach or a thigh gap. who gets to decide what’s beautiful?
(Hint: the answer is you do!)
Jeannine, THANK YOU! I love that OTF is so close to me too! We are closing on our new house Oct 24 and a requirement for that house was that an OTF had to be CLOSE! I certainly feel beautiful and I hope other woman see themselves as beautiful as well because we all are!
This is absolutely amazing! As someone who had watched you progress since November 2015 I am so proud of you and I completely admire your honesty. You are AWESOME!
Good for you! There is too much body shaming even with women who have skinny bodies but are more rounded than waif. If we all had the same body, then the world would be a boring place. I understand your struggle. I have lost about 120 lbs. so far. Everyone assumes that the reason you “let yourself go” is because you can’t find the will power to push yourself away from the table. Not every heavy person eats ungodly meals each day. I have a tendency of not eating near enough. Sometimes, I only eat one meal a day (which I know is not good for me), but I am just not hungry. So many people judge others when they themselves are not perfect. No body is perfect. But…..we can strive to “perfect” for the people we should be and be proud for ourselves and not for who others think we should be.