Marli & Me: Why I Workout

Okay, so, here is the dealio, I am going into my second round of camp gladiator and my sixth week of consistent workouts, gaining at least five workouts in a week. I have gotten several weird looks when I say, "Oh yeah, I work out about five times a week," they expect me to just be a small person because I workout. I never really understood this mindset, but most people associate size with our exercise and diet. I mean sure, it is ALL a factor, but at the end of the day my biggest, BIGGEST pet peeve is,

"How much are you wanting to lose?"

Well, uhm, that is not my mindset anymore. Numbers, numbers, NUMBERS. Numbers seem to run our health, weight, pants size, and waist size. Numbers do not describe me, how I feel about MYSELF defines me.

You know what, if this is your mindset then more power to you, I just know personally, I do not look like I weigh as much as I do. My weight that I would need to be to not be considered "overweight" is definitely not really attainable, I have not been that size since freshman year of high school. After a baby, depression, and currently breastfeeding, my body is not the same. My hips are a little wider, my waist is not as small, and I have stretch marks like everywhere. I could easily scare you into never having children if I showed my stretch marks, I mean come on, I can't be tall, pretty, and smart right? God had to make it fair. I kid, I kid, maybe.

As a common courtesy, do not ask about a weight loss journey unless they bring it up, I know I reached pre-pregnancy weight and I am working on being a better version of myself.

These weeks have been humbling, tiring, and empowering.

Am I dying? ABSOLUTELY.

Do I doubt myself some days? ABSOLUTELY.

Do I sometimes want to skip my workout and go right back to sleep? Well I mean of course, 4:30 am is not pretty for anyone,

This was actually encouraged by one of my awesome trainers, she is the proof that numbers are just that, numbers.

Why I workout is because I want to be healthier, why I pass on the fries and bread is because I want to be healthier. Not just physically, but mentally I am so much better off than I was a few weeks ago before I knew some amazing people.

Monkey see, Monkey do, besides myself my motivation is Marli. I am hoping she will be able to join me for workouts in a few years and I can be the example she needs as her mom.

Being a single teen mom, I mean obvi I do not get a whole lot of time to myself, but workout is what I look forward to almost every single day. People call me weird, but I mean which is better for you? Negativity? Absolutely not.

Things may not be bright right now, you may be hurting, you may be going through a hard time, but you WILL get through whatever you are going through. It WILL make you stronger and there is ALWAYS a rainbow after the storm.