Thanksgiving is on the horizon and instead of focusing on “Oh no, what can I do to not blow my diet this holiday season”, I’m focusing on gratitude. For the next 25 days I’m going to focus on what I love about myself, my health and my body and I’m opting not to talk any negative crap (out loud or in my own head) about any of the above. When the negative chatter starts in our heads it can be tough to stop. Try a dig up a picture of yourself as a little girl and remember – that’s who you are talking to! The stuff we say when we are beating ourselves up is not something we’d ever say to this little person. For the next 25 days, remember who you are talking to, be kind to her.
This is who I'm talking to.
That means no hating this or that, no frustration that “I’m not there yet” and no beating myself up for not looking like a fitness model. What might 25 days of being grateful for your body mean to you? Taking on any project like this feels a little daunting when your schedule is as jam packed as mine…but that’s what happens right? We put off what we really need to do for ourselves in order to “get everything else done”. Well for at least 25 days, I’m not going to get away with that! How about you? Get yourself a journal and commit to 5 minutes each morning to write down at least one thing you are grateful for about your health, your fitness or your body. Spend any free minutes driving or walking around that day saying “I am grateful for…..” I’ll be doing my journaling here so I can share the experience with all of you. Feel free to share as much as you want here by commenting, but it can also be kept private if that feels better – the important thing is that you do it! So here goes…. Day 1 I am grateful that I am strong. I distress from time to time that my legs are as big as they are – but they can dead lift 132 pounds ten times for 3 sets and squat 10 reps for 3 sets with 110 pounds. And I can push that damn prowler at Peak Performance with 50 kilos – which means I can hang with the big boys. My arms aren’t quite as lean as I’d like them to be, but I am doing military press with 25 pounds and one arm row with 40 pounds – both for 10 reps, 3 sets. I can even do a few pull ups these days – and I can’t remember the last time I did a push up from my knees, it’s been years. Last week I boxed with a former professional fighter and he said I hit harder than any girl he’s worked with. That felt pretty great! I told him it was because of my big booty – it gives me a lot of force with my punches cuz I “know how to use it!” He laughed…and so did I. It felt good to be able to laugh about that as I’ve had a complex about it since college. I’ve never been much of an athlete but I’ve always loved working out. I’m grateful that I love it and don’t see it as a chore. I’m grateful that I can workout hard and that I’m strong. I know that will protect my health and my metabolism for the rest of my life. That feels pretty good to say actually! Today, what do you love about your body? Be grateful for it!
