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I’ve been reflecting on my fitness goals and where I want my body to be over the last few months, and it occurred to me that for years all my goals were dependent on what the people around me found attractive; rather than working to get myself healthy and happy, I was trying to achieve a certain kind of physique.
That isn’t to say that I wasn’t more healthy, or in better shape than before. On the contrary, during what we’ll call my “peak”, my weight was the lowest it had been, my body was slim and lean and I looked Fit™.
But I was unhappy. I was hungry and miserable. I missed going out for food and eating whatever I felt like, or even just eating something I enjoyed. Instead, eating became a chore; I didn’t enjoy the meals I was making and it made me more inclined to want to snack on junk.
Of course the inevitable happened; I had a cheat day, which became a week, then a month. Before I knew it I was in a worse physical state than before. Strangely enough though, I was happier. I was enjoying meals out with my friends, looking forward to cooking and snacking less. I had settled into a routine.
One thing powerlifting has done for me is shown me I can be healthy, live a healthy lifestyle and still be happy. I can eat things I enjoy and not feel like I need to run 5 miles to burn it off. My body is beautiful and it is strong. Most importantly it is for me.
The hardest lesson to learn has been that my body is for myself; it’s pointless trying to meet anyone else’s standards and I know that now. I work to better myself every day, but not for anyone else. I have taken my body back and it both exists for and belongs to me.
So pick up the weights, run the mile, eat the share sized box of treats, but do it for yourself. Not to impress anyone else. Find your happiness in what you do, and remember to do it for yourself. You’re worth the hard work and effort. You’re worth the happiness.
Thanks for reading!
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