I started the year out with a 30 for 30 day challenge. I challenged myself to exercise for 30 minutes per day for 30 days. To some, this may sound quite simple; but because I historically have been incredibly lazy when it comes to physical exercise it proved to be completely challenging.
I succeeded in my endeavor though. I joined a gym and faithfully went during lunch time or after work consistently. I even purchased at home exercise videos for those sluggish days that I didn't want to leave the home. I discovered some things along the way. I don't like to exercise. It's hard.
But I did it and that's what counts. Yet, when I put on my clothes I still feel...not quite like myself. This has caused me to feel less confident and attractive. I've never struggled with feeling overweight in my life. I've always been more on the underweight side and grew being called everything from "tiny winy" to "skinny" to "olive oyle." I can remember being told when I was in college by a particulary handsome young man that once I had about 3 kids then my body would be ok. So that paints a picture of how thin I was..likely 90 pounds soaking weight.
Fast forward to the birth of my first son and I gained enough weight to make me feel sexy. I had curves in the right places and just enough to be what I considered cute. I didn't have to exercise and didn't. I pretty much ate what I wanted and lived happily knowing that I was one of the "lucky ones" who didn't have to exercise regularly to look fine.
Well life has an interesting way of showing you how human you are. Since the birth of my second son, now five months old, I have been unable to lose my baby fat. As mentioned before, it's affected my self esteem in a way that I wasn't quite prepared for.
I'm challenging myself to continue exercising, eating healthier and more importantly, learning to love myself through my transitions. Even if I don't see a smooth, flat belly when I look down and I wonder if I'm still in my first trimester, I have to learn how to appreciate this period in my life. I will probably never be the wafer thin person I was in college; nor do I want to. I may never even be the svelete and sexy person I was 12 years ago when my Yums was born.
I have to focus on getting healthy. Eating the right foods. Understanding that I have to reduce things that aren't good for me and increase the healthy stuff not just to "be fine" but to live a long life. Because I am now forced to exercise I have to adopt a lifestyle that has been foreign to me but is necessary.
So I challenge myself to not only "keep on keeping on" through diligent exercises but also to grow emotionally along the way.
I succeeded in my endeavor though. I joined a gym and faithfully went during lunch time or after work consistently. I even purchased at home exercise videos for those sluggish days that I didn't want to leave the home. I discovered some things along the way. I don't like to exercise. It's hard.
But I did it and that's what counts. Yet, when I put on my clothes I still feel...not quite like myself. This has caused me to feel less confident and attractive. I've never struggled with feeling overweight in my life. I've always been more on the underweight side and grew being called everything from "tiny winy" to "skinny" to "olive oyle." I can remember being told when I was in college by a particulary handsome young man that once I had about 3 kids then my body would be ok. So that paints a picture of how thin I was..likely 90 pounds soaking weight.
Fast forward to the birth of my first son and I gained enough weight to make me feel sexy. I had curves in the right places and just enough to be what I considered cute. I didn't have to exercise and didn't. I pretty much ate what I wanted and lived happily knowing that I was one of the "lucky ones" who didn't have to exercise regularly to look fine.
Well life has an interesting way of showing you how human you are. Since the birth of my second son, now five months old, I have been unable to lose my baby fat. As mentioned before, it's affected my self esteem in a way that I wasn't quite prepared for.
I'm challenging myself to continue exercising, eating healthier and more importantly, learning to love myself through my transitions. Even if I don't see a smooth, flat belly when I look down and I wonder if I'm still in my first trimester, I have to learn how to appreciate this period in my life. I will probably never be the wafer thin person I was in college; nor do I want to. I may never even be the svelete and sexy person I was 12 years ago when my Yums was born.
I have to focus on getting healthy. Eating the right foods. Understanding that I have to reduce things that aren't good for me and increase the healthy stuff not just to "be fine" but to live a long life. Because I am now forced to exercise I have to adopt a lifestyle that has been foreign to me but is necessary.
So I challenge myself to not only "keep on keeping on" through diligent exercises but also to grow emotionally along the way.
I just recently started a weekly exercise regimen and yes it is very hard. Like you I'm one of the tiny people who felt I didn't need to do much because I'm skinny. Well I realized the second day what terrible shape my body is in. My point is skinny people are always healthy or strong. I've added strength exercises to my work to help with that.
I've had one kid 12 years ago so I can relate a little to how you feel. Keep at it. You do know that being beautiful first starts with you. Gotta love yourself and visualize yourself as the woman you desire to be in all aspects. Go get it! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Thanks Kerissa and you're so right...feeling good starts within first! That's my daily workout routine...starting from my thoughts and then to my actions! I appreciate you stopping by :-)