From the perspective of a person who has been 115 and 190 pounds, here is my humble take on fitness.
Over the years, especially because of social media, fitness, at least with how it is presented, has been sitting on the grey scale of the spectrum. Genuine intent to inspire is on one end, but the reality for those who are just scrollers of websites and IG accounts is more often on the other end, where they experience extreme pressure.
But of course, this is not to be blamed on content providers. This is an issue that must first be addressed by whoever chooses to go online for pegs and ideas on self-improvement.
I’m turning 32 this year, and more than half of my life I have been working out and I have been exposed to a few different kinds of exercises. I’ve tried bodybuilding, plyometrics, boxing, taichi, and of course my passion, yoga.
(I’ve also experienced bulimia, a little bit of starvation, and effects of Bangkok pills and other hunger suppressants, which is a totally different blog altogether!)
To compare what is best is not even the first step to get into fitness. Commitment to a practice is neither the first concern to get into the lifestyle. I’ve always believed that actions are motivated by reasons behind. So fitness and getting into fit living must begin with understanding why you want to do it.
And for me, to stay on board, fitness must always be backed up by the honest desire to be healthy. Nothing but that. If you stay true to this reason, everything else will follow–the body, the diet or food, and the right attitude.
You have to understand that bodies have different ways of responding, so you can’t expect to look like someone else instantly. What another person does, may not work for you the same way. It will take time to find the right exercise that will fit not just what your body can do (because bodies are very resilient) but more of what will define your personality.
You also have to consider the other given things in your life that may or may not provide results right away. You have to understand that people you follow (and troll) on IG may only have working out to do every single day, and that’s not necessarily a good thing (and not everything they say, is true). You need to give respect, as well, to other aspects in your life that also define you–like your career, family responsibilities, and other passions. And those could take up some of your time, and that is absolutely ok! With health in mind consciously, your choices on food, and proper time management will assist you when you’re not in sweat mode.
Always have the perspective that being fit is not a race, but a personal journey that should bring out the best in you. And being the best you is not just measured by how you look. It’s a totality that allows you to experience life on your own standards.
And that is a lesson I had to learn from my 115-pound-downing-pills-and-working-out-everyday-18-year-old-body, which allowed me to appreciate my 190-pound-baby-carrying-30-year-old self.
Where we are today is beautiful. And tomorrow, and the next day, we can make it even more.
Got your own fitness journey to share? Comment below or share this article and let them know what you think of mine!
Joseph barnes
Sometimes fitness is dependent on ability to afford workout facilities. Also, some folks don’t have time, like single parents. But, the wholistic approach is good.
Erika Padilla
Joseph barnesOne doesn’t need a facility to workout. Exercise can be incorporated as simple movements in between activities, together with conscious effort to eat healthy. Time, I believe is not the concern, but the priorities. Priorities limit, or allow, our actions. If you find being healthy as a priority, you will have the time, and you will find ways to make it work regardless of circumstances.
Mila hall
I was weighing 134 lbs and 5’2 in height. I learned that if you starved your self it also loose the ability to metabolize the fats, sugar etc that we intake and it will end up storing to the area we don’t want to. Adding up seeing your self after you starved your self to death and gaining more is disappointing so you end up hopeless. Eat balance diet and your body will eventually become your best friend. Check out the food pyramid and that will help you how to portion everything. Eat when your hungry not when you are bored or sad. Make sure you also move, make it a routine that you walk or stretch. Reward your self with a beautiful dress! I am now 110 for the past 6 years and I felt 20s on my 30s. I wish someone told me about this before. Never enjoy my teens because I felt like my body hate me and now she is my best friend.
Erika Padilla
Mila hallGlad that you found your way to your most beautiful self! Keep it up. You’re an inspiration.