Fitness Isn’t Just About Looking Good - It’s About LIVING Well
Angela Bassett just turned 62 years old…and looks absolutely amazing! I’m trying to be like her when I grow up.
When I tell the story of my fitness journey, it always starts with becoming a mom and wanting to be healthy and energetic enough to give my kids the best of me. That’s still the truth. I didn’t start prioritizing my fitness and nutrition until I brought a whole human into the world BUT I did start working out a few years before that.
I used to be a Zumba instructor (don’t you DARE laugh!) It’s actually how I made my money in college and got through most of my 4 years without having to get a “job-y” job. Even though I didn’t make nearly enough to pay my bills, I had an amazing time leading a group of women in an hour that they dedicated just to themselves.
I can’t express enough how much I enjoyed those classes. The women in my group were mostly wives and mothers who worked outside of their home and never really took time for themselves EXCEPT for my classes. It was so fulfilling to see them enjoy themselves and lose weight in the process, and that’s when I got my first taste of how life-changing fitness can be.
Looking good is a bonus
Most people work out because they want to look good. That’s a major motivator, but it’s really just a bonus. Looks will eventually fade (unless you’re J.Lo or that goddess Angela Bassett). The real benefit of working out is the way it makes me feel.
I have the energy to do all the things I need to do, and the strength to still pick up my 70-pound not-so-little boy when he gets in those rare cuddly moods. I can run around after my daughter (seriously, it’s like fast is her only speed) and walk up the stairs in my house without getting winded. I know people younger than me that can’t walk more than a few steps without feeling like they’re out of breath.
Now, that’s not a jab at anyone else, but a compliment for me.
It’s about aging gracefully
My body is going to change. Shoot, I’m 31 and it’s already changed so much (I’m pretty sure my knees aren’t supposed to snap, crackle & pop every time I get up out of a chair). Aging is inevitable, but I want to do it in a way that allows me to enjoy every phase of my life.
I see people like J.Lo and Angela Bassett - so fit and so full of energy - and I think that’s how I want to be when I grow up. Yes, these women are celebrities and they have greater resources than the average person, but that doesn’t take away from the effort they put into taking care of themselves.
When people say “oh I don’t want to be skinny” or “I don’t want to have to count calories,” I think they’re missing the point. It’s not about being skinny. It’s not even about looking a certain way. It’s about longevity, and making your time on this Earth as enjoyable as possible. And I don’t care what you say, nobody wants to spend their life sitting on the couch and running out of breath every time they dare stand up.
I owe it to the people I love
My fitness journey started before I became a mother, but after my children were born it took on a whole new meaning. I don’t just eat right and exercise for me, but I do it for them. They need a mother who is happy, energetic, and healthy. My kids shouldn’t have to worry about me, at least not until I’m much older. They should be able to live their lives knowing that I’ll be around whenever they need me.
If you’re reading this and have even the tiniest inclination to do better for yourself, I hope I’ve encouraged you to give it a try.
If you ever need help, or just a little motivation, I literally live for this stuff! Follow me on Instagram or connect with me on Facebook and I’ll do whatever I can to help you reach your goals :)
