30 Days of Self Love--So We Idolize Our Bodies (Day 6)

How much do we really value our bodies? We may say we don’t, but when taking a closer look at our actions we may find differently. What ways have you put too much emphasis on your body? How can you change that?

Where do I start?!? It probably started in college when I really started working out. At first it was because my roommate loved to exercise. she and I would go almost everyday. After a while I found out how much I loved it and then I started noticing the changes it brought about. After a while it was getting me a lot of attention from guys. I was not a very out going person so this was very uncomfortable to me. That was one part I did not like--at first. I later felt it pushed me to even work out more. I was not trying to get skinny either. I always wanted to be lean and have muscle and curves. (Still do).

It seems that as time went on it was expected of me to always be working out, or to always be in shape. It felt like it was a job and I was always under a microscope--people wanting to know what I did, for how long, what did I eat etc. I felt ( and sometimes still feel this way) that i had to keep it up or else I would look like a failure to my peers and those that perhaps looked up to me. I am not saying I did things overboard--maybe a few times in my day, but that did not last long.

In a nutshell-- I think most of us do idolize our bodies waaay too much. I do want to always feel comfortable in my skin as well as my clothes though. These days and yes, after having my kids I have a new mindset. I want to show my kids the right way to be healthy- not going to the extreme or overboard.

After my rambling-- I have been focusing for a few years on not idolizing my body for the wrong reasons. Nowadays I idolize my body because of what is has done in the past 6 years:

~It has given birth twice to two good sized babies ( Amara was 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 3.5 weeks early Miles was almost 11 lbs. 1 week early).

~I have run 2 marathons, setting a 20 minute PR with marathon #2 and qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

~ I have taught numerous exercise classes to people that thought they were not "cut-out" for it and told me so.

~ I am coming to terms with my ample tummy and not so ample breasts.

~I am focusing on being healthy so I can be here to teach my kids the same.

30 Days of Self Love--Trusting Your Body ( Day 4)

Is there an area where you face difficulty trusting your body? Take time today to focus on this area and pay close attention to your body.

When I think of trusting my body it usually always leads to running ( of course). This year is probably the first time that I don't trust it and it bugs me. I have allergies, acute asthma and something wonderful called Vocal Cord Dysfunction or VCD. Long story short- it started in the spring..feels like a major asthma attack.....I learned breathing techniques.....it rarely happens anymore if at all-nothing as major as in the spring. OK, with that being said-- this is my slowest year ever at running and it is very discouraging. It's a mind game I hope and not so much physical. It's a real downer.

I am trying to focus on trusting my body. I am having trouble pushing myself because I feel I will push myself into a VCD episode and that scares me. I need to trust in my body to use my breathing techniques to get me though if an episode happens. The more I push my body during my runs, the easier it will become. I already know this, but it's good to be reminded. I guess I also need to learn to trust my brain as well, since VCD can be triggered by anxiety and stress. I know I have both of those.

30 Days of Self Love--Intrinsic Beauty ( Day 3)

Day 3----Take a few moments to think how you showcase intrinsic beauty. What positive qualities describe you. Search deep. Through the day consider these qualities. How do they showcase in your life and make you beautiful?

Beautiful is a state of mind. People might be considered beautiful for many reasons- not just physical, maybe not ever physical. Qualities make a person truly beautiful in my opinion.

If being non judgemental is a quality ( I think it is) I think that is one of my best intrinsic qualities. I just don't think it's fair to pre judge anyone. Everybody has a story- you never know what it is until you ask. I know I am pre judged on a daily basis due to the color of my skin. It does not make me sad ( those people probably don't know any better!), but I just choose to live differently and hope to teach my kids that quality as well. I know that I learned that quality most likely from my dad. Thanks dad!

30 Days of Self Love--Gifts of the Body ( Day 2)

Over at Tina’s blog of Faith Fitness Fun, she talked about Gifts of the Body. Thinking about your body as something special that helps support you through your life no matter what. That it is important to treat ourselves and more importantly our bodies like we would treat our friends. With unconditional love and unconditional support.

1. You only have 1 body so treat it right! One of my gifts is just being in good health. That is due to how I treat my body. I take care of it by nourishing it with the things that make it thrive. The food I eat, drink, and exercise.

2. I am thankful for my ears. I am able to listen to my kids laugh and sing and tell stories (thanks Tina!) everyday. One thing both of my kids LOVE to do is sing-it's just a normal thing in our house and in our car.

3. I am thankful for my legs. They may not be the thinnest and never will be. I am glad they are strong and are able to do everyday things such as walk. And not so everyday things such as teaching 2 Spin classes, a sculpting class and then go for a run! Thanks legs!

30 Days of Self Love--self Confidence ( Day 1)

Take a look at Tina's blog Faith, Fitness, Fun . Here is a short explanation taken directly from her blog:

"Welcome to the 30 Days of Self-Love Reflections (30 DSLR for short)!!!! For those of you just stumbling across my site and this movement, the 30 DSLR is to bring a positive change into each of our lives one day at a time. Each day will feature a new topic and message to reflect on and motivate positivity throughout your day and, hopefully, beyond. I look forward to everyone’s participation and the growth it will bring us! Here we go!"

So now it's my turn to reflect on what confidence means to me.

It means to hold my head high as much as possible. I have always been told I have good posture-- sometimes that's all it takes for me to feel confident ( or even fake it just a little bit). It gives me a feeling of confidence just by straighten up my shoulders and holding my head high. Try it!

My other main job ( besides being a mom) is being a group exercise instructor. I would have never in a million years thought I would have made this my main source of income. I was very, very shy in front of people for such a long time. I did not like to speak in front of groups or anything scary like that! In high school I did not look up while giving speeches..I just read my notes while my palms sweated and my voice shook.

When I was in college I started taking tons of group exercise classes. I loved them. I was there everyday--(in the back row!) As time went on some of the instructors approached me about teaching-- I thought they were joking. They told me how well I did in their classes and also said that I had the personality to teach--what the what?!?! Even my close friends thought it was pretty funny ( thanks guys) that I would instruct.

I had to act fast and finally just went for it. This was so out of character for me-but I felt that if it did not work out as least I tried. Well, to make a long story short I have been a certified instructor for 12 years now. I have worked in all sorts of environments with all kinds of people-- and I love it!

I am sure that instructing provided me with the lifelong gift of confidence that I am grateful for.

Other things I am confident in is that I am a great mom to my kids. I am also a great friend to the few that I have.