I get it. Mom-life is tough. And while, I love to think that yes, we are tougher (and as cliche as it is), I feel that it’s more nuanced than that. We can grind away ‘til our backs are aching and the bags under our eyes have developed their own bags - and many of us do, because we have to. But the constant barrage onto our bodies, minds and souls can’t be fended off indefinitely, and ultimately, I don’t think being under that load for ever and ever will help us create the life we’re after. No matter how tough we are.
The health and fitness industry hasn’t been doing us any favours either. We’re expected to “have the children, and then get back to business”, as if nothing in or around us has changed one bit. A wrinkle, and we’re looking old. A couple extra pounds, and we’ve “let ourselves go”. Grey hair poking out, and we’re neglecting ourselves. Seriously?
So we spend countless hours researching the latest weight-loss trends, anti-aging products, hairstyles, clothing that “accentuates our best features” or rather, “makes us look less fat”, and all the things that we’re suppose to be doing to ensure that we look like a yoga instructor with just the right amount of muscle, but not too much, and just the right amount of body fat, but not too much and not too little, and have our hair done and roots touched up, and our under-eye-bags concealed and our skinny fashion on point, but at the same time, be an amazing parent to our children - ALLLLLLLLL at the same time as not looking like we’re actually trying too hard, because that, THAT, would just be ridiculous.
And so, when you decide that you’ve had enough of all of that - clear a space in your garage, toss in some dumbbells or a sandbag, crank up your music, and get out all that feeling on a workout that leaves you feeling accomplished, strong, energized and feeling like you could take on the world. Because that’s what we’re here to do. Lift each other up. Inspire. Support. Create a welcoming space. And make sure that we’re living our lives for us, and not for all of that out there, telling us how we’re suppose to be.
This year, instead of resolving to be lighter, smaller, to eat less food, or cut out “bad habits”, why don’t we try to fill our lives up with more. More of the things we want, without focusing on losing anything.
Things we’re doing away with this year:
weigh scales - the food and human ones!
measuring body parts (unless it’s to make a kick ass outfit from scratch)
counting calories, macros, almonds, or anything else that we eat.
labeling foods bad/good.
diets and diet culture.
before and after photos.
focusing on/rewarding the outcome/end goal.
What if this year we:
work out for fun?
work out to feel good?
work out to get stronger?
work out to relieve stress?
work out to energize yourself?
work out to improve your quality of life?
eat to nourish/fuel ourselves?
eat because it’s delicious and we enjoy it?
focusing on the process?
do the activities we want to, regardless of how we think we look? (wear the bikini, or bathing suit, or crop top, or short shorts).
focus on adding things, instead of taking away?
take over part of the garage (or the whole damn thing!), or balcony, or living room, or basement, for our own personal space to move and feel good?
#claimthegarage
