Everyone has a right to feel about their body in whichever way they feel is correct. Someone who is at their ideal weight might look in a mirror or feel too skinny or too fat, while someone considered overweight might be the most confident person in the world. It is never okay to tell a person how they should or should not feel. We all are entitled to an opinion, but it is not our place to force them on anyone else. You can think that someone should dress or act differently, but ultimately it is their decision, and it is what they feel comfortable in. You have no say. Until you have experienced what they have been through, what molded them into who they are, you have no right to tell them what they can or can not think of their bodies. Your doctor can recommend things to improve your health but they can't force you to do anything you don't want to.
For some people the treatment they received growing up might make them defensive, leaving them with something to prove; these people will deliberately do what they've been told all their life they couldn't do. For others, it makes them gun-shy and vulnerable to critique. Some few escape unscathed and survive to view the world through their own unique perspective. Depending on the circumstances, I know I fall into all of these categories.
I know that I am not ugly. I know that I am not fat. I know there are others with more severe issues with weight as well as issues with self esteem or self-image. However, that does not mean that you get to tell me that "oh, you're not fat, you can wear this or do that. I weigh this much and I do it." My personal issues are obviously not yours. You haven't had to go through what I have, so I don't appreciate your attempts to belittle my experiences, or brush off my fears as if they were inconsequential. It is not your place.
And frankly, it pisses me off.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Run for the Riders
This weekend I completed the Run for the Riders, a 5K benefiting the All-Star Equestrian Foundation. It was very fun, and I had a great time with the team I walked with. I met some very interesting people, and overall had an excellent time. I walked the entire thing, which was a first, since I usually tend to jog a large portion of it. Anyway, here's to a new month, and more successful endeavors.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Stole this from a CrossFit Page...
I saw this on a friend of mine's fb page, and it really hit home about how I look at working out and life in general. I keep saying it over and over again: KARMA!
It pisses me off.
It pisses me off when I walk into a box, the workout is ending, someone is struggling to finish and people are just sitting around watching, or packing up to go, or worse... gone.
Yeah, you've finished the workout, but guess what, your friend and partner over here, they haven't. This person who you see 3-4 times a week, more than your family, more than your friends...
This person who shares in some of your greatest triumphs...
They are still struggling.
So what the hell are you doing dis-interested, checking your facebook posts and inane work emails.
Put down your damn phone, get a little closer and step back into the game. You're not done yet.
This person is part of your crew, your new family, and you know what, they could use your help.
This person who is experiencing the same awfulness you just went through is in the middle of that dark place.
Your encouragement helps them pick the weight back up.
Your attention focuses their energy.
Your yells drive them forward.
You should care about this person because they will care about you.
You should cheer for this person because they will cheer for you.
And you should be in the game until its over for everyone because that is how its done in our CrossFit community. Each and every one of us, newbie, veteran, competitor, deserves to be pushed by their neighbor.
Get over there, start cheering, and stop pissing me off.
It pisses me off when I walk into a box, the workout is ending, someone is struggling to finish and people are just sitting around watching, or packing up to go, or worse... gone.
Yeah, you've finished the workout, but guess what, your friend and partner over here, they haven't. This person who you see 3-4 times a week, more than your family, more than your friends...
This person who shares in some of your greatest triumphs...
They are still struggling.
So what the hell are you doing dis-interested, checking your facebook posts and inane work emails.
Put down your damn phone, get a little closer and step back into the game. You're not done yet.
This person is part of your crew, your new family, and you know what, they could use your help.
This person who is experiencing the same awfulness you just went through is in the middle of that dark place.
Your encouragement helps them pick the weight back up.
Your attention focuses their energy.
Your yells drive them forward.
You should care about this person because they will care about you.
You should cheer for this person because they will cheer for you.
And you should be in the game until its over for everyone because that is how its done in our CrossFit community. Each and every one of us, newbie, veteran, competitor, deserves to be pushed by their neighbor.
Get over there, start cheering, and stop pissing me off.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I work out!
I took two weeks off, due to work, injuries, and then the resulting sickness from work-and-family related stress. While I might not have been exercising, I was eating better. I would like to announce something very important and life altering:
I have found a salad that I like.
*Cricket* *Cricket*
Okay, I am not a salad eater. Or a vegetable eater in general. I also don't like fish, or meat very much. So all in all my diet usually sucks, but I am slowly trying to eat better. I have discovered that I don't like iceberg lettuce, but that mixed greens with ranch and croutons and hard-boiled eggs are very tasty. :-)
I went to work out yesterday, burned 286 calories on the elliptical, and then did crunches, steps, and push-ups. I wasn't extremely motivated so it was only a fifty minute work out, but it was better than not working out at all.
I am also trying to use the My Fitness Pal app on my phone, with my daily intake at about 1200 calories a day. Has it worked? Kind of, as I am a lot more aware of what I eat and drink. I am slowly, SLOWLY, learning to eat healthier, but please keep in mind, gentle reader, that I was raised on REAL Mexican food, and old habits are hard to break. It is a work in progress.
I have found a salad that I like.
*Cricket* *Cricket*
Okay, I am not a salad eater. Or a vegetable eater in general. I also don't like fish, or meat very much. So all in all my diet usually sucks, but I am slowly trying to eat better. I have discovered that I don't like iceberg lettuce, but that mixed greens with ranch and croutons and hard-boiled eggs are very tasty. :-)
I went to work out yesterday, burned 286 calories on the elliptical, and then did crunches, steps, and push-ups. I wasn't extremely motivated so it was only a fifty minute work out, but it was better than not working out at all.
I am also trying to use the My Fitness Pal app on my phone, with my daily intake at about 1200 calories a day. Has it worked? Kind of, as I am a lot more aware of what I eat and drink. I am slowly, SLOWLY, learning to eat healthier, but please keep in mind, gentle reader, that I was raised on REAL Mexican food, and old habits are hard to break. It is a work in progress.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Injuries
I mostly managed my goal last week. I worked out Monday and Wednesday, and went to the class on Saturday, so I got my three workouts in.
Let's talk about the class shall we?
First of all, it's an amazing class, and one that I think all women should take. It's called a RAD class, which stands for Rape/Aggression Defense, and its goal is to teach women basic moves so that they can escape/survive an assault. I had taken it once before and while it was a physically and mentally stressful class, I felt like I got a lot out of it.
When we started working out about three weeks ago, L1 stated that she would like to learn to punch, and I suggested she take the class. She asked me to take it with her so I did, because everyone can use a refresher from time to time. What I had forgotten was that the instructors tend to single out the repeaters and be a little more forceful with them... so lets just say I got the full impact of the course. I also managed to injure my wrist, and I am now covered with bruises as well. I am pretty sure that I injured the wrist well before the scenarios part of the course, so I can say it was my fault.
All in all, it was a great class, and even with my swollen wrist, I do not regret taking it at all. I actually think I will go back again. Maybe not soon...but I think I will go back.
For additional information in regards to the program, please click the following link:
RAD Website
Let's talk about the class shall we?
First of all, it's an amazing class, and one that I think all women should take. It's called a RAD class, which stands for Rape/Aggression Defense, and its goal is to teach women basic moves so that they can escape/survive an assault. I had taken it once before and while it was a physically and mentally stressful class, I felt like I got a lot out of it.
When we started working out about three weeks ago, L1 stated that she would like to learn to punch, and I suggested she take the class. She asked me to take it with her so I did, because everyone can use a refresher from time to time. What I had forgotten was that the instructors tend to single out the repeaters and be a little more forceful with them... so lets just say I got the full impact of the course. I also managed to injure my wrist, and I am now covered with bruises as well. I am pretty sure that I injured the wrist well before the scenarios part of the course, so I can say it was my fault.
All in all, it was a great class, and even with my swollen wrist, I do not regret taking it at all. I actually think I will go back again. Maybe not soon...but I think I will go back.
For additional information in regards to the program, please click the following link:
RAD Website
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Random Observations
1. I am looking at you, Guy, who thinks it's normal to work out in Burberry shorts and Sperry's.... It's not. I also don't understand the polo and gym pants look...
2. How do you avoid panty lines when wearing skin-tight workout pants/shorts? Are you not wearing underwear? Are you wearing a thong? That just seems uncomfortable.
3. Men, please, you have to wear underwear too. It is not acceptable to wear just a cup or a protector, because when you a) sit on the floor, stretch, etc. or b) use any type of machine that requires you to sit down you either flash everyone your sweat-soaked crotch or leave nasty sweat marks on the equipment.
4. Yes, this one is for the germophobe who spends more time wiping down the equipment than actually using it. Since you are so concerned why don't you also wipe it down after you use it so that the rest of us don't have to deal with your sweat and germs???
5. The gym is for working out, and while socializing is part of it, it is not its entirety. If you are there to chit chat and giggle, please do it in the free space, not on the mats, not on the equipment, or right next to the weights you aren't using but won't relinquish. I'd like to use the machine too. I promise I will do it quickly, so that you can get back to analyzing that guy's butt or whether or not that girl had a boob job....
6. So is wearing short shorts over leggings a way to hide the panty lines?
7. You are about to 'work-out', do you really need to apply layers of mascara and makeup as well as flat-iron that stray piece of hair in the bathroom before hand?
8. Pick up your trash!!!
9. This one is kind of mean, and I'm sure I've done it too, but way to go, person that got on the treadmill and ran for two minutes before walking off wheezing, all to impress that one other person who's 'OMG'!!!
10. I am also not sure I understand the purpose of the sleeveless shirt that's torn almost all the way down the side (on guys)... what's the point? A tight tshirt would have the same effect of showing off your muscles without also showing off your armpit hair.
11. All you Jersey Shore wanna-bes... You're not that hot, and frankly, you come off sounding like assh*les.
2. How do you avoid panty lines when wearing skin-tight workout pants/shorts? Are you not wearing underwear? Are you wearing a thong? That just seems uncomfortable.
3. Men, please, you have to wear underwear too. It is not acceptable to wear just a cup or a protector, because when you a) sit on the floor, stretch, etc. or b) use any type of machine that requires you to sit down you either flash everyone your sweat-soaked crotch or leave nasty sweat marks on the equipment.
4. Yes, this one is for the germophobe who spends more time wiping down the equipment than actually using it. Since you are so concerned why don't you also wipe it down after you use it so that the rest of us don't have to deal with your sweat and germs???
5. The gym is for working out, and while socializing is part of it, it is not its entirety. If you are there to chit chat and giggle, please do it in the free space, not on the mats, not on the equipment, or right next to the weights you aren't using but won't relinquish. I'd like to use the machine too. I promise I will do it quickly, so that you can get back to analyzing that guy's butt or whether or not that girl had a boob job....
6. So is wearing short shorts over leggings a way to hide the panty lines?
7. You are about to 'work-out', do you really need to apply layers of mascara and makeup as well as flat-iron that stray piece of hair in the bathroom before hand?
8. Pick up your trash!!!
9. This one is kind of mean, and I'm sure I've done it too, but way to go, person that got on the treadmill and ran for two minutes before walking off wheezing, all to impress that one other person who's 'OMG'!!!
10. I am also not sure I understand the purpose of the sleeveless shirt that's torn almost all the way down the side (on guys)... what's the point? A tight tshirt would have the same effect of showing off your muscles without also showing off your armpit hair.
11. All you Jersey Shore wanna-bes... You're not that hot, and frankly, you come off sounding like assh*les.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A Serious Post: Part Two
Dear Already-Fit-People-At-The-Gym:
We know you are fit. Some of you only have to work out once or twice a week to keep your genetically enviable physique. Some of you haven't yet aged enough to have your metabolism slow down. Some of you are just gym rats. Whatever it is, congratulations, you're fit.
However, that does not give you the right to look down on those of us who are not. While L1 would say that I do not qualify to put myself in this category, I beg to differ. I am over weight, even if it's not by much, and I do have body and self-esteem issues, which is the whole reason I am working out in the first place.
I admit, that when I first get to the gym, I am very self-conscious and it feels like everyone is staring at me, but after I start my work out and turn up my music I can typically concentrate and focus. As long as I have my music, I am okay. Yesterday, my friend and I were trying out some new things, and some of you decided it was ok to stare and make faces. Let me clear something up for you: IT'S NOT.
We may not necessarily be good at working out; we're learning. We may not yet be fit; that's why we're going to the gym. So, even though I know most of you aren't reading this blog, you have now been warned. Next time I see you staring or making faces, I will say something. Silence is not always golden, sometimes silence perpetuates unacceptable behavior, and I for one, am done with you.
Concentrate on your own work out, and leave me/us the *&^% alone.
Sincerely-
Me
We know you are fit. Some of you only have to work out once or twice a week to keep your genetically enviable physique. Some of you haven't yet aged enough to have your metabolism slow down. Some of you are just gym rats. Whatever it is, congratulations, you're fit.
However, that does not give you the right to look down on those of us who are not. While L1 would say that I do not qualify to put myself in this category, I beg to differ. I am over weight, even if it's not by much, and I do have body and self-esteem issues, which is the whole reason I am working out in the first place.
I admit, that when I first get to the gym, I am very self-conscious and it feels like everyone is staring at me, but after I start my work out and turn up my music I can typically concentrate and focus. As long as I have my music, I am okay. Yesterday, my friend and I were trying out some new things, and some of you decided it was ok to stare and make faces. Let me clear something up for you: IT'S NOT.
We may not necessarily be good at working out; we're learning. We may not yet be fit; that's why we're going to the gym. So, even though I know most of you aren't reading this blog, you have now been warned. Next time I see you staring or making faces, I will say something. Silence is not always golden, sometimes silence perpetuates unacceptable behavior, and I for one, am done with you.
Concentrate on your own work out, and leave me/us the *&^% alone.
Sincerely-
Me
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