Body.
Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
Whoa. This is a perfectly timed prompt for #reverb10.
I’ve actually kept my “body talk” relatively offline, but now seems like a good time to discuss the changes I’ve made in maintaining and taking care of my body. Let me preface this by saying that I’ve always had an extraordinarily positive body image. I love my curves, always have. But this year, I decided to embark on a little journey.
It actually stemmed from the desperate need for some form of stress relief in my life. With work, and friends, and plans, and general busy-ness, and more work, I was pretty much a stress bucket. Last January, I got a membership to 24 Hour Fitness with one of my co-workers and friends and we pushed each other to go.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was very difficult to muster up the motivation to go to the gym after a 10 hour workday, but it slowly became part of my routine and it actually graduated to being a necessity. I’d get anxious if I didn’t get to the gym at least once a week.
By June, I started to see some changes in my body. Not big ones (hadn’t really lost weight), but I could feel myself getting stronger. It was easier for me to be on the treadmill for the full hour. I was learning more and more about the different muscle groups in my body and what kind of exercise or weight lifting affects those specific areas. I, then, took it to the next level. I liked the challenge and wanted to see how I really could change my body.
I began following a strict diet, and upping my workout regimen. And with the help of some seriously inspirational and encouraging friends, I stuck with it. And I began losing weight. Lots of weight. Weight I didn’t even really know I had. My clothes didn’t fit, coworkers and friends started noticing, it was great. BUT it wasn’t about the weight loss. I was eating right — redefining what I thought my body actually needed. Water became my best friend. I was conscious and aware and healthy. It’s about being skinny (which I’ll never really be…), but it’s more about being healthy, learning about nutrients, cooking, and pushing my body every workout.
It’s also about being realistic, not depriving myself, and being happy and comfortable with my body. This Holiday Season is tough (every one is). So yes, I indulge in a French Vanilla cupcake with brown sugar whipped cream frosting. And then I take my size 7 skinny jeans on a walk.
