Fitness isn't a look

BODY IMAGE
I recently posted a picture of myself SUP’ing in a fuchsia bikini on Instagram. There was a time when I would have sooner died (or photoshopped the sh*t out of that photo) before putting it out there for the world to see. ⁠⁠

⁠⁠I would have zeroed in on my "flaws." I would have looked at myself part by part, as if my body were some puzzle to be solved, rather than what is: a vessel for my soul. (Thanks to my mom for that little nugget of wisdom).⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instead of looking at that picture and recalling a fond memory of the time Dan and I explored a Soda Lake on stand-up paddleboards during the glorious week when both of our kids were away at overnight camp, I would have been filled with self-loathing. I would have vowed to eat more salad, to run more, to recommit to lifting weights at leastxa twice a week. I would have promised to cut back on chocolate and wine, to start being “good” again. 

I would have thought "But I work out all the time! The day before that picture was taken I did a beast of a bike ride and felt great. Why don't I look as fit as I actually am?"

The truth is, fit doesn't look one particular way. Specifically, it doesn't necessarily look like sculpted abs, thighs that don't rub together, or collarbones jutting out.

Fitness is about what your body can DO not how it looks. I have wasted so much time and energy obsessing about food and workouts in an attempt to "look fit" and I am so glad to be DONE with that. 

Just remembering the relationship I had with food and my body and the way I used to think makes my chest feel a little tight.  

Today I am so grateful to be able to see that picture of myself in a different light. Today I look at that photo and  I see is joy and sunshine. I see that I am so much more than the sum of my parts. So are you. ⁠⁠

(If you’re ready to renegotiate your relationship with food, your body, and exercise, I can help.)

LISTENING
I’ve released a bunch of new episodes of the Real Fit podcast since my last update.

Here's what to listen to if...

• You're an entrepreneur or you’ve been dreaming about doing your own thing
• You need to see a woman in a larger body doing some seriously epic sh*t
• A good cry is what you need right now

I’ve also been enjoying some other great podcasts… I loved hearing Nina Badzin and her longtime bestie discuss their temporary best friend break-up. I’ve also been bingeing on The Lazy Genius, particularly this episode, where Kendra Adachi offers tips and wisdom on transitioning to the back-to-school season. 

READING 
I can’t say enough about Starfish by Lisa Fipps. It’s was written for children but this adult felt all the feels. I read it to my girls and I don’t know how many times I had to stop to catch my breath so I wouldn’t cry like a baby. It’s for anyone who has been longing to see a heroine in a larger body, has ever wanted to feel seen, or just wants to belong. 

I told you I was on a Lazy Genius kick. I got the book from the library but I’m going to want to buy my own copy of this treasure. If Real Simple and Brené Brown had a baby it would be this book. 

WRITING 
Why perturbation-based balance exercises like ‘the airplane’ benefit so many people (The Washington Post)
Of all the articles I’ve written this year, this one has probably changed my life the most. Since I started reporting it, I’ve been doing some of these exercises on a regular basis and it is making me soooo much more confident (and fast!!) descending steep switchbacks on my road bike. 

How to Exercise for Psoriatic Arthritis Pain Relief (SELF)
Did you know I spent YEARS trying to break into SELF. Since I finally got a pitch accepted earlier this year, that outlet has given me a couple of assignments and this was one of them. I hope it’s helpful; I know psoriatic arthritis is a really hard thing to live with. I wish I’d had more room to get into some of the nuances or interview someone with the lived experience.