I'm trying on loads of clothes at multiple stores and nothing looks good. Nothing feels right. The voice inside my head is on my side, "What's with fashion and sizes these days?" I agree and go on my way. Then I'm standing on a scale naked at Kabuki Springs. I'm not sure what prompted me. I rarely ever weigh myself. I've never owned a scale, and since I hadn't been to the doctor's office in seven years I had no clue about my weight. I was shocked. A slow stammer of disbelief began brewing. You can't be serious. When did I start to weigh this much? I'm the heaviest I'v ever been outside of pregnancy. My breath accelerated and my mind searched for reasons. Somewhere in the thicket of life I became unaware of my physical well-being. Has this happened to you?
Okay, in all honesty I wasn't crazily out of shape or obese. I was still dancing, performing, and taking classes. But I was not woke to the changes. As I entered my late 30s my body and metabolism were changing. The idea of taking care of myself was evolving, requiring a different type of care. What to do?
I'm a gemini which means I am game for any experimental challenges that have potential to be life-changing. Since I'm a dancer I knew more exercise was needed. Not the artistic I'm so in touch with my body I'm practically leaving it kind of exercise, but good-old fashioned cardio and strength. I began to infused 10 minutes of cardio and abs each into my every other day tasks. After a couple of months I added an additional 10 mins of upper body strength (shout out to pop sugar fitness and fitness blender for the free YouTube clips). Youtube is a great alternative to joining a gym. My life is enormously busy with work, children, and art-making, so my process needed to be simple like laying my yoga mat down in my living room and watching to someone telling me what to do for 45 mins.
With this new practice I became more aware of my muscles and their use throughout the day. I shifted my posture to utilize my core more, and I held myself accountable. I still don't own a scale because for me it's not about the numbers are achieving some look. I care more about how I feel and that I am prioritizing the time and thoughts to take care of myself. When I ask, "did you do your exercises this week", and the answer is "no", I'm aware that I am denying myself the love and self-care that I deserve.
The outcome: I feel better, appear better, and have more energy. What's really special is that now I can finally wear this fantastic dress that's been hanging in my closet watching my body change from smaller to plumper, to where it is now. I'm not back to the original size I was when I first bought it, but for now at least me and my body can snuggle in!
Okay, in all honesty I wasn't crazily out of shape or obese. I was still dancing, performing, and taking classes. But I was not woke to the changes. As I entered my late 30s my body and metabolism were changing. The idea of taking care of myself was evolving, requiring a different type of care. What to do?
I'm a gemini which means I am game for any experimental challenges that have potential to be life-changing. Since I'm a dancer I knew more exercise was needed. Not the artistic I'm so in touch with my body I'm practically leaving it kind of exercise, but good-old fashioned cardio and strength. I began to infused 10 minutes of cardio and abs each into my every other day tasks. After a couple of months I added an additional 10 mins of upper body strength (shout out to pop sugar fitness and fitness blender for the free YouTube clips). Youtube is a great alternative to joining a gym. My life is enormously busy with work, children, and art-making, so my process needed to be simple like laying my yoga mat down in my living room and watching to someone telling me what to do for 45 mins.
With this new practice I became more aware of my muscles and their use throughout the day. I shifted my posture to utilize my core more, and I held myself accountable. I still don't own a scale because for me it's not about the numbers are achieving some look. I care more about how I feel and that I am prioritizing the time and thoughts to take care of myself. When I ask, "did you do your exercises this week", and the answer is "no", I'm aware that I am denying myself the love and self-care that I deserve.
The outcome: I feel better, appear better, and have more energy. What's really special is that now I can finally wear this fantastic dress that's been hanging in my closet watching my body change from smaller to plumper, to where it is now. I'm not back to the original size I was when I first bought it, but for now at least me and my body can snuggle in!
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