Mel's Fitness 101

Ha! Do you like the title of this one?!? :)

No, this is not another post from an obsessed woman about how you should be more like me.

Read the following, and then please comment, whether you agree or disagree. I love to get ANY form of feedback.

Dictionary.com defines FITNESS as: Good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition.
With that being said, why is this world making it so darn complicated? I'll explain. When you walk in to a store--bookstore, Wal-Mart, convenience store, etc.--you are bombarded with self help books/videos/CD's on fitness. Everyone has an opinion on how to obtain the perfect body, mind, soul, and spirit. Unfortunately, some of the best known Christian authors are being sucked into the vortex of spewing fitness and nutrition guides, and they have absolutely NO TRUE UNDERSTANDING of what they are saying to women (and it's targeted toward women especially these days, because it feeds off of our insecurities).

I have read some of these books, and if you were to peruse my library here at home, you would probably find at least 4. The problem with all of them is this: yes, they make some valid points, but are they REALLY helping us? Do they know what Melissa Haskell eats, how she works out, how she even really views her body?? Do they know that?!? No. In my opinion, too many American women have been fed the b.s. that we are okay where we are and there is no real need to change. Be happy with what you see, regardless of how you truly feel on the inside. Take it one step at a time and celebrate whatever it is that God has given you.

Ok, yes. There is a very small piece of validity to that, but I choose to take it to the next level.
SET GOALS. It's okay to have a mark high in the sky that you are striving toward. And so what if it's considered an unrealistic goal? Let me just share from my own experiences here: I was told that no 5'10, 150lb (and YES, that is my real weight. I don't care who knows), size DD boobed, broad shouldered woman should run a 1/2 marathon. It would be too stressful on her joints since she doesn't have the typical "runner's body," and it would be foolish to have that goal, let alone actually attempt it.

I ran that 1/2 marathon--every second of it--and I am already preparing for my next one.
So there.

What if there was a "feel good" book handed out to every new contestant on The Biggest Loser that told them that if they would just get right with God, love and accept themselves, push away from the table, and get their butts into the gym once in a while then all would be happy and wonderful. Would that go over too well? No, because it's the same song and verse they've heard their entire lives. They came to the contest expecting more. They WANT to change, and what they see is not what they want to see forever. They come there asking for help, and what they get is a complete makeover--but not from a magic pill, a book, or a cream. It's HARD WORK and lots of it. They set goals, and sometimes they fall short. Does that mean they quit? No. They get yelled at and bossed around 24/7. Do they quit? No. Some get sent home, but the majority of the time it's because they pose a "threat" to the others--they are losing more weight, meeting goals quicker, etc.
I really hope this is all making sense.

John and I have been working out since we were in our teens. We work out together, which is very rare for couples these days. We bounce exercise/nutrition ideas off of each other constantly. We try new things, set new goals, talk through our frustrations with our bodies, and have basically found accountability in each other. That's a great way to be fit. Find someone who "gets" you. I guarantee that 99.9% of the friends/family members that you have pre-judged as someone that might ridicule or be too competitive with you are really the ones that want accountability too.

I would love to write a book on this, but it would honestly just be 1 paragraph long. And here it is for your reading pleasure:

"Fitness has become a bad word, even though it's associated with weight loss, setting goals, eating healthier, and finding that perfect balance between mind, body, soul, and spirit. We as women are strong. We don't need the world to tell us how to look--we already have our inner selves to thank for that. It's very simple: eat healthy, non-processed, balanced meals. Take the time to release the stresses of everyday life. Exercise, whether that be in a gym or in your living room. Pay more attention to how your clothes fit than to what a scale says, even though a scale can be a good indicator that things need to change. They aren't the devil, you know. Do your own research in books or on the internet, and see what the current standards of fitness are. They are there as guidelines, not commandments. Find an accountability partner that will be an encouragement, but will also not be shy to tell it like it is and give you that extra kick in the butt when you need it. Never stop trying. Go the extra mile, make HUGE goals, and push yourself. It's okay if you don't succeed the first time, but it's not okay to quit. God did give us an inner desire to better ourselves, so it would be wise to listen to what He put in your heart vs. what someone writes in a book. Do love yourself, but don't get too comfortable with what the world has to offer in the way of temptations. Don't punish yourself if you fail or feel miserable about yourself--it happens to all of us, I guarantee it. Above all, respect yourself and have a positive mindset. And do the extra 10 crunches that you've been avoiding each time."

I have had 3 children. I know what it's like to look in the mirror and not like what you see. Even though my sweet husband reminds me daily that he loves the way I look, I can always think of a way to improve. That's NOT BEING OBSESSED. It's being me. If he and I are obsessed with working out, then so be it. I will run those extra miles, do the extra crunches, and bench press the extra pounds to prove to MYSELF that I can do it. No one else matters when I'm in my workout zone. True story.

1/2 marathon: done
bench press my body weight: done
lose baby weight 3 different times: done
love my body NOW: done and then undone
changed goals/made new ones: done

Ladies, it's okay. Share what you've accomplished. Be proud of what a strong female you are, inside and out. Everyone has different desires. STOP the comparison game, because I can promise that you are only hurting yourself. I learned that lesson the hard way. Step up to the plate, take the hit, and run for the base. Never look back.
Fitness is a lifestyle change. It doesn't come from a self-help book, nor can a personal trainer always be responsible for guiding you in the right direction. Be uncomfortable. That's okay. And remember that fitness really is just one area of life--don't make it your main focus, but don't ignore it either. Then and only then will you truly feel good about yourself.

And just think of the money you save from putting down those self help weight loss books, pills, creams, and diet plans. It's enough to buy a new outfit! :)

"Fitness to me is not about a crunch or a push up, it's about taking your power back."
~Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser trainer)

~Mel