I'd like to start a revolution and change the world with this post. Is that asking too much? Here we go.
I was chatting with a strength training client this week. She had been to Tread over the weekend, and was asked by a new Treader if this workout was working for her.
She answered something along the lines of, "Maybe, if I watched what I eat, I'm sure it would."
As I talked to her, I realized she wanted to go back in time and answer differently. She wanted to say, "Yes, I feel so much better! Yes, I am almost seventy and my endurance is better than ever. Yes, I love that I can get up into my zones 3 and 4! Yes, I have so much energy on the days I walk. Yes, I love seeing everyone. Yes, it is definitely working for me."
But, because she carries a few extra pounds, she didn't feel like she could answer like that. She felt like she had to explain why, even though she loved her workouts, it didn't look like it was "working for her".
Do I need to say any more? Is this really what all this is about? It can't be. It just can't BE.
Can we agree to change the world and start a revolution? I believe that we can if we take to following SIX steps:
1. If someone says you look great, don't grab your belly or your butt or your chin and say, "oh YEAH? What about all this?"
2. If someone asks about your workouts, your trainer, Tread, or anything like that, tell them how much you enjoy it, how it makes you feel, how you love being stronger and having more energy. You do not have to qualify your answer with any explanation regarding your body shape or size.
3. Repeat after me: My body shape and size is NOT the indicator of my fitness, my progress, or my worth.
4. If someone implies or states directly that your workout program isn't working because of your body shape or size, tell them they have a radical misunderstanding of what it means to be fit. Thin and fit are not synonymous. Thin and happy are not synonymous. Thin and healthy are not synonymous. Besides, your fitness is personal.
5. Fight vigilantly against the world view of cookie-cutter outer beauty, and compliment real, authentic beauty every time you see it. Don't hold back. Beauty is not about size, ever. It's about heart and soul.
6. Take every thought captive. Every single one. Hold it in the palms of your hands and ask yourself, "Is this thought towards myself (or someone else) critical? Judgmental? Shaming? Guilt-tripping? Fearful?" If it is, let it go. Don't take it in as part of your belief system. Find the truth and hold it in your hands. Feel the difference? Feel the acceptance, love, belonging, peace, freedom and joy.
I want to start a revolution. Or maybe join the one that's already underway. It's an empowerment revolution, where women know who they are, know their worth, and know that their bodies aren't up for criticism or judgment by anyone, including herself. Where the answer to the question, "Are your workouts working for you?" is, "Absolutely! Look how strong/ amazing/ beautiful I am. It's ALL working. Care to join me?"
I was chatting with a strength training client this week. She had been to Tread over the weekend, and was asked by a new Treader if this workout was working for her.
She answered something along the lines of, "Maybe, if I watched what I eat, I'm sure it would."
As I talked to her, I realized she wanted to go back in time and answer differently. She wanted to say, "Yes, I feel so much better! Yes, I am almost seventy and my endurance is better than ever. Yes, I love that I can get up into my zones 3 and 4! Yes, I have so much energy on the days I walk. Yes, I love seeing everyone. Yes, it is definitely working for me."
But, because she carries a few extra pounds, she didn't feel like she could answer like that. She felt like she had to explain why, even though she loved her workouts, it didn't look like it was "working for her".
Do I need to say any more? Is this really what all this is about? It can't be. It just can't BE.
Can we agree to change the world and start a revolution? I believe that we can if we take to following SIX steps:
1. If someone says you look great, don't grab your belly or your butt or your chin and say, "oh YEAH? What about all this?"
2. If someone asks about your workouts, your trainer, Tread, or anything like that, tell them how much you enjoy it, how it makes you feel, how you love being stronger and having more energy. You do not have to qualify your answer with any explanation regarding your body shape or size.
3. Repeat after me: My body shape and size is NOT the indicator of my fitness, my progress, or my worth.
4. If someone implies or states directly that your workout program isn't working because of your body shape or size, tell them they have a radical misunderstanding of what it means to be fit. Thin and fit are not synonymous. Thin and happy are not synonymous. Thin and healthy are not synonymous. Besides, your fitness is personal.
5. Fight vigilantly against the world view of cookie-cutter outer beauty, and compliment real, authentic beauty every time you see it. Don't hold back. Beauty is not about size, ever. It's about heart and soul.
6. Take every thought captive. Every single one. Hold it in the palms of your hands and ask yourself, "Is this thought towards myself (or someone else) critical? Judgmental? Shaming? Guilt-tripping? Fearful?" If it is, let it go. Don't take it in as part of your belief system. Find the truth and hold it in your hands. Feel the difference? Feel the acceptance, love, belonging, peace, freedom and joy.
I want to start a revolution. Or maybe join the one that's already underway. It's an empowerment revolution, where women know who they are, know their worth, and know that their bodies aren't up for criticism or judgment by anyone, including herself. Where the answer to the question, "Are your workouts working for you?" is, "Absolutely! Look how strong/ amazing/ beautiful I am. It's ALL working. Care to join me?"
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