Tag: body image

Why Are Stares Bothering Me NOW?

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit, Life Lessons and Advice

A few days ago, one of my friends proceeded to tell me that CrossFitters don’t look much different than others.  This was based off the conversation that women don’t want to get big shoulders from doing CrossFit.

Well, I piped in.  “Based off of my experience and comments made to me, I would highly disagree.”

I’m beginning to take more notice of people as well–mainly because I’m getting more stares than usual.

There aren’t that many people walking around who look like me.Image result for animals staring

This has been affirmed lately as I’ve been dressing up more than usual as the weather turns warmer and wearing more clothes that show my muscles.

I was having a different conversation, explaining my routine to two gals I just met, and I  realized something:  not many people lead the life I do or do what I do.  The hours I spend that have given me this body I now inhabit are not how others spend their hours.  The extra time I put in toward my goals.  The work involved.  The sacrifices (I’m thinking of chocolate cake right now…)

And that’s not just CrossFit.

I blog.  A lot.

I work.  A lot.

I read.  A lot.

I’m constantly striving to be a better person, a better wife, a better mother, a better human being despite all my flaws.  I’m constantly searching for what’s out there for me, what I’m supposed to be doing, what path is next.  And I’m constantly learning.  I despise sitting and boredom and monotony.  Contentment is elusive.  Accepting that this is all there is is not an option….

Which begs the question:  What’s next?

 

How to Be Content In Your Own Skin…

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit, Life Lessons and Advice, Nutrition

Some days it’s hard to be sore.

Hard to do every day tasks like laundry and dishes when you have to squat and all your legs want to do is shout at you.

Every day activities most do with ease become a challenge when you CrossFit as much as I do.

Yet, I’d have it no other way.

We are all products of our lifestyle whether we know it or not.

A friend of mine is overweight.  She’s been 100 lbs overweight for over 10 years now.  She keeps hopping from diet to diet, exclaiming how “this one is better” and “this one will work.”

I’ve told her my philosophy and all I’ve read about the Zone Diet and Mindless Eating.  It goes in one ear and out the other.

Another friend of mine bemoans how she can’t lose 10 lbs.  Yet her Facebook page is always covered with her out with her friends, drinking mimosas and eating probably more than is recommended.  She works out, but hasn’t changed.

Same thing with her.

CrossFit MOB 2
Wallball Fun!

My mom starves herself.  Literally.  She is one fall away from death.  She can’t remember things because she doesn’t feed her brain.  She smokes and has horrible migraines.  In her mind though she’s healthy.

I can preach all I want, but you have to listen and want to change your lifestyle.

Then I think People can say the same thing about me.  Complaining how I work out too much and I can’t move because I did 300 squats, etc.

Ultimately, it’s your life.  You only have one to live.  Be happy and content with it.

I know this is hard as I’m still trying to find my sweet spot to have the abs I want yet be healthy and happy and still enjoy all the richness God has blessed me with.

We (especially us women) beat ourselves up so much over looks and in the end we’re all the same.  We all age.  We all go through the same processes if you’re a mother in terms of bodily changes.

We all face challenges.  It’s how you respond to the challenges that determines your mindset.

If it’s truly important, you’ll change.  If it’s not and you’re happy with where you’re at, then BE HAPPY!  Quit comparing yourself to others and be content with who you are.

If you’re not content, then change it.

Life is what you make it.  If you want to starve, then do it.  If you want to enjoy your friends and go out all the time, do it.  If you want to kill yourself with workouts, do it.

It’s your life, your body, your choice.  Don’t let others shame you.  Don’t feel bad about it.  Embrace it.

Or change it.

It’s your choice….

Now live with it…

It’s Not About How My Body Looks…

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

It’s about what it can do.

We all care about how we look.

Unless you grew up in a cornfield.

It’s ingrained in us since childhood from society and culture.

You can’t escape it.

It’s a given I don’t look like most women.  Most women don’t lift heavy weight.

When I first started CrossFit, I never thought about my body or what would happen to it.  I just love the sport and went every day.  It wasn’t until people started commenting on my physique that I started to pay attention.  I started looking around.  It was then that I noticed I had changed.  Big time.

A lot of women don’t do CrossFit because they don’t want to look like me.  I get that.

But for me, it’s about what my body can do.  I can do pull ups.  I can squat heavy.  I can do muscle ups.  I can deadlift.  I can run.  I can do almost every move.  And I’m strong.

I’m proud of my hard work.  And it shows.  When I can do something others can’t, it makes me feel special.  But it also is a reward for all the hard work I do.

Ask anyone who knows me:  I work harder than most.  I’m in the box before and after the WOD.  I work out at home.  I do skills every day.  Rarely do I have a day off without doing anything.

All this culminates in muscle ups and heavy snatches and pull ups and double unders and handstand walks.

This is why I’m so excited about the Open.  I want to know just how far I’ve come since last year compared to others my age.  I want to know that my sacrifices are worth it.

My body takes a beating.  No question about it.  If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve read all about my pulled muscles, strained ligaments and tendons, soreness, bruises, rips, etc.  CrossFit does this to you.

CrossFit also changes your body.  If you lift heavy weights, it has to.

But none of that matters.

All that matters to me is how CrossFit makes me feel.  I feel empowered.  I feel strong.  I feel capable of accomplishing any task in my life.  My self-esteem is at an all time high.  I believe in myself.  So much so I’m running for Town Board in my town.

All this because of a sport that challenges the brain as much as the body.

If it’s not hard work, then you’re wasting your time.womens-crossfit-body-920x920

Push yourself in all aspects of life.

You only live once.  Make the most of it.  Do what makes you feel accomplished and beautiful and strong and healthy and a contributing member of society.

For me, that’s CrossFit.

What is it for you?

My Stomach will NEVER be Flat…

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

For the past 6 months, I’ve been struggling with body image.  When I first started CrossFit, I lost a lot of weight and fell to 11% body fat.  Consciously, I decided to try to gain weight, which I have.  However, I have also packed on the muscle.  A LOT of muscle.  Some of this has been my abdominals.

Seeing pictures of all the professional CrossFit women, they all have intense protruding abs due to the insane amount of midline work CrossFit demands.  Well, I’m beginning to have that as well.  I’ve been hung up on this because in the media we are bombarded with images of thin women with a flat stomach.  How society thinks we should look.maxresdefault

I spent the night in a hotel room the other night, and there was a full length mirror.  I was able to see my body clearly for the first time in a long time.  And I’m beautiful!  I’m the fittest and healthiest I’ve ever been.  In all aspects.  I’m still curvy just in a muscular way.

I know it’s easier said than done–to accept your body.  But I’m getting there.  Small steps climb high mountains.

We’re only given one body.  We shouldn’t let others shame us over it.  Take care of it, and it will take care of you.