“When In Doubt, Tell The Truth”

I ran across an inspiring article on Yahoo’s “Shine” page.

The article is titled “The Fitness Truth Will Set You Free” by Fitbottomedgirls.com. 

The link to the article is: 

 http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/the-fitness-truth-will-set-you-free-2596068/

After someone questioning her enthusiasm for fitness, she started to list her “Truths” that help break the stereotype that women only workout to fit into the next smaller size.  She words it best by saying,

“Apparently, for some, wanting to be fit requires an explanation. Occasionally, we have to explain why we do what we do. We have to, in some ways, stand up for our fitness.”

These are the following “Truths” that were my favorite from her list (follow the link above for the full list):

                “I’m not sweating whether or not you approve of how I look. I’m sweating to the beats.”

                “I want to feel fit. I could care less if I fit into your version of beautiful, cool, whatever.”

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one:

“Skinny is not a compliment. Call me healthy. Never assume my challenges and goals are set by some weak objectification.”

This has, of course, inspired me to think of my own list.

So…Drum roll please….

My Fitness Truths (inspired by Fitbottomedgirls.com fabulous blog)…

• If it wasn’t for fibromyalgia, I probably would have completely given up on getting healthy and fit. 

 

• Before I started to keep a fitness routine at 265 lbs I sometimes ate two dinners (hiding one from my husband), I no longer fit into booths at restaurants, I drank 3-4 Diet Cokes a day, and avoided old friends because I didn’t want them see what I looked like.

 

• I don’t keep such a disciplined fitness routine because I’m terrified of being over-weight again, but because I’m terrified if I don’t keep moving, Fibromyalgia will destroy me.

 

• I sweat like a pig (where did this expression come from anyway?) and I get really irritated by women who are afraid to sweat.  

 

• There is a difference between being “fibro” sore and “sore” from working out.  Yeah, it still hurts, but it’s a pain that comes with a feeling of accomplishment, and can chase away some of the nasty fibro pain.  I wish more fibro people would try to exercise, even when they’re in pain.  So many fibro people ask me how I workout even when I’m hurting, and I tell them I’m working out BECAUSE I’m hurting.

 

•  I don’t have patience for people who say they can’t afford to workout in one of my Zumba classes when they eat fast food every day.  If it’s because you’re afraid or nervous, just tell me, I’ve been there!

 

• If it weren’t for my support system of friends and family I would probably give up on my fitness routines.

 

• People assume after I lost all the weight that I may be conceited, or over-confident.  It’s the complete opposite.  It takes a long time to get used to a brand new person.  Every day I’m getting a little more comfortable with my “healthy” self, but some days I have an impulse to gain all my weight back, because the person was so “familiar.”  Weight loss does interesting things to your way of thinking.  Next time you meet someone going through a weight loss battle, remember it’s changing their minds just as much as it’s changing their bodies.

 

• When I started getting “fit” my answer was that I never wanted to be “skinny” I just wanted to look like I could kick someone’s ass.  I still stick to this.

 

Thank you Fitbottomedgirl.com for the inspiration!

Pink Feet Walking…

 

 

This weekend was a very special weekend for me and my family, especially my mom.  Yesterday we did our first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure since my mom became a breat cancer survivor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mom, my mother in law (also a brave survivor),my sister, brother, his girlfriend, her roommate and two special friends came along to walk the five mile trek with us.  I “pinked” out the house and planned a special lunch for “Team Martha.”  I loved planning the day for my mom.  She is one of my best friends, my rock, my hero for handling her breast cancer diagnosis with such strength…Oh…and she’s also my twin. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just my luck, Tuesday night I started to cough and Wednesday brought full-blown bronchitis (my fall season specialty).  I’ve mentioned it before, but getting sick with fibro is a whole new challenge.  “Get your rest.”  “Get some sleep.” I was given all the usual tips for healing sickness.  Only with fibro, laying down too much meant being twice as sore, twice as stiff, and twice as frustrated that I wouldn’t be better in time for the walk!  Perfect timing as always, Jennifer!!

We woke up bright and early Saturday to 40 degree temps.  Decorated ourselves in pink and after some confusion with registration, were ready to start our 5k walk. 

Sickness aside, I’m glad I’ve conditioned my fibro to allow my body to be able to do things like this walk with my family and not be over-whelmed with pain. I’m not going to say I was strong and brushed off my sickness and walked the 5 miles in record time.  In fact, my nose wouldn’t stop running, I couldn’t breathe and  I spent a lot of it light-headed. 

But…

We passed a lot of groups walking “in memory” of someone.  We saw many people in “survivor” T-shirts and I was humbled by how young most of them looked.  I figured if those people were were fighters, a lot survived chemo, and radiation, or loss in their family, that what I was feeling was pretty minor compared to their battle with cancer. 

I got a very happy surprise for Saturday night.  I got to keep my mom and sister as house guests an extra night as their previous plans fell through.  We ate more pizza than four people should consume in one sitting, I scarred my sister for life by putting dirty words into our scrabble game, and my dogs got completely spoiled.

I can’t wait to put another weekend like this one together to celebrate such a great survivor.