 I just posted this on a Facebook group I recently joined! (Shoutout to FatDag and all the Wingmen/Wingwomen out there! You are amazing!)
This is me at my local YMCA. The picture is blurry. I'm gross and sweaty. My chins are prominent. I don't give a shit. When I snapped that picture, I knew how I looked before I even saw myself on the screen. Before, I'd find every flaw. I wouldn't even take the picture. I couldn't face the face. Now, that face shows the work I'm doing. The time and effort I'm putting in to get healthy, to be stronger. I may look like crap in that picture, but I felt FABULOUS! Hot, sweaty, and an amazing kind of tired. The tired only lasted a few minutes after I was done. Dare I say I'm starting to experience what some call an exercise high? I left with more energy. I felt genuinely happy. I want to feel like that more. I let my gym shame keep me from experiencing that feeling. Today was the day I officially kicked my gym shame to the curb. Goodbye. Good Riddance. I'm done with you. No one. NO ONE should ever feel shame for going out and taking a walk, or heading to the gym to workout. It doesn't have to be an hour! I can be 5 or 10 minutes. You are making yourself a priority. YOU are taking CONTROL! And in the beginning, you'll notice the others there. They're looking at you. Eventually, you'll find the way to look them in the eye. Another day, you hear some of them say hello. You'll find the courage to return the greeting. Down the road, they might ask your name and tell you're doing a great job. Yeah, you might feel embarrassed. At first. ;) Suddenly, you're being greeted by name and you find the strength to find out their names. Conversations happen. Brief, but uplifting ones. So, yeah, they are watching you. But, they don't see you as the monstrosity you picture yourself as. They see you as a leader. An example. A motivator. YES, YOU!! Let them watch. Let them learn how you now care about yourself enough now to take care of YOU! Go get it! Say goodbye to gym shame! Say goodbye to all of the shame. It won't get you anywhere but back to where you were. You deserve better!
9 Comments
Carol B
10/19/2017 11:00:03 am
What an awesome post. You are an inspiration!
Marie
10/19/2017 11:02:12 am
Carol, you are so sweet and thank you so much for reading! I'm just keeping it real and sharing the lessons I'm learning along the way!
Jon
10/19/2017 12:58:33 pm
This is an awesome post!! Glad you are feeling great and doing such a good job!! I am so proud of you! I wish I could be there with you more often! 10/19/2017 03:56:44 pm
You have just given me the motivation to get off my rear and take that walk...Thank you.. 10/19/2017 04:15:06 pm
Carole, you've got this! Just do it. It doesn't have to be a marathon. Let me know how you do!
Marie
10/19/2017 07:30:44 pm
Oh, Miss Betsy - YOU are one of the people who have helped me come out of the shadows and start living a BIG life. I have a long way to go, but your wisdom and encouragement have pushed me to dream that I could do this! I'm so honored to have you in my corner! Just wait until you see what's coming! :)
Suzanne
10/19/2017 07:16:15 pm
Thanks for the inspiration . I’m always afraid someone is looking at me. Even taking a walk. Like the 5 to 10 minutes you mentioned.
Marie
10/19/2017 07:33:34 pm
Suzanne, baby steps are so important - pardon the pun since we're talking about walking - LOL! Every little bit helps. Leave a Reply. |
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