I shot this quick video last night when I got home from Dance2Fit. This is real, y’all – sweaty, no makeup, hair pushed back in one of my daughter’s soccer headwraps to keep the sweat from dripping into my face.
I’d gotten home after a 75-minute workout, during which time I’d downed about 20 ounces of water. I wasn’t perfect; I missed steps and kicked right when everyone else was kicking left. Two things happened last night, though, that really fired off some pride and humility in me. First, the instructor praised how low my squat was – right after praising this other lady who was also killing the held squat. The cool part is, I admire and respect that other lady’s fitness level and how she does the class. She’s been doing Dance2Fit for years and really has the routines down. The humbling part came after a grueling 3-4 minute arm workout. I was walking around my spot and stretching out my arms when I happened to notice a new lady to the class was copying my stretches. Just like I watch the lady I admire, this lady was watching me. You can bet I was a lot more attentive to how I moved after that!
Genetics and a life of not making the best choices both ensure that I’ll never be skinny – not without some really dangerous behaviors or extensive and expensive surgery. And that’s OK. I’m getting stronger with every workout, be it high-impact aerobics, weight-lifting, cardio, or yoga.
For ages, society has equated skinny with healthy, and in some cases, that is certainly true. However, skinny isn’t the only shape healthy takes. While far from skinny, I’m in the best health of my life, not just judging by strength, but also by the numbers – blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rate, and glucose. I celebrate my healthiness and my strength, even while I continue to slim down my silhouette.
How are you building strength, whatever stage in life you’re finding yourself? Drop your response in the comments below so we can celebrate and encourage you.
