A few months ago, Aaron and I decided to work on getting a bit more fit, mainly in preparation for our trip to Cancun over Christmas Break (see more about that
here). I've always loved exercising, mostly because it allows for the perfect combination of competitiveness and stress relief. I've consistently relied on it for these reasons, as well as to allow me to eat whatever I wanted. Essentially, I worked out so that I could eat what I wanted, not in order to truly lose weight. I've always believed that it wasn't worth starving myself to weigh a few pounds less, and I still stick to that.
Being fit was pretty effortless in high school. I played softball, basketball, and ran track for my high school, so I had a two hour practice built into my day and I always pushed myself. College was a bit of another story. Though I was a dedicated Mizzou Rec visitor who attended Tiger X classes and played every intramural sport, I still wasn't getting the same amount of exercise that I had in the past. That being said, I probably didn't need to be eating as much as I was. Scratch that, I definitely didn't need to be eating as much as I was. What can I say, college dining halls, pokey sticks from Gumby's, and dessert at every meal in my sorority house can kind of catch up to you. Not to mention what a few stressful calculus tests (back when I thought I would teach Math!), living without a roommate, and going through the majority of college without a boyfriend can do to you. That's a story for another day though. As most kids usually do (except for those lucky eternally skinny ones), I packed on some pounds.
I was never huge, but I didn't feel super good about myself. It was something that brought me shame and frustration, and caused my self-esteem to drop. Even though I was running at least two or three miles every day, and never missed a work out, I felt like my body was just staying the same. I felt like nothing I did made a difference, and it made me want to give up or just eat a bunch because it didn't matter anyways. Only when Aaron popped the question a few years later (in November of 2012) did I decide it was time for a change. I started lifting weights again, and changing up my work out regimen. It's all about change. I was able to drop about 6 pounds or so and what I felt like was a few inches before we walked down the aisle!
Anyways, rather than pack on a few pounds once we tied the knot, I continued to get motivated to do a little better. I wanted to feel fit and eat healthier, so that my body would hold up and I could enjoy a long life without health issues. Last year I started doing after school workouts with my friends at school so that I wasn't working out solo. This helped me stay motivated without having to create my own workouts. Exercising with friends while unwinding from the school day has really been a blessing.
Over Thanksgiving Break, the local
9Round boxing club was running a special. Aaron and I did a two week free trial last summer, and a new club had just opened literally two minutes away from our house, so we decided to splurge and join for 6 months. I. Love. It. I go every day except Sundays, when they're closed. You get in, get out, and get fit while sweating a ton and feeling a difference. Plus you get to punch things- so there's that. No class times and a planned workout that changes daily (and is fun) really makes me feel like I'm getting the challenge that I want without having to go out of my way. Each round is easy enough to follow, but intellectually stimulating enough to distract my brain from how hard I'm working. And we do things I would NEVER make myself do if I worked out on my own. (Did I mention I'm incredibly competitive? See Round 5 below).
I've tried Title Boxing too, but I like the 30 minute workout here better, and I feel like it's just as hard. The first visit is always free, and they have locations all around Kansas City, so hit me up if you want to come workout with me!
With the help of 9 Round's workouts and a visit from the flu on the day after Christmas, I've dropped another 5 pounds or so since the end of November.
More importantly, I feel a difference in the way my clothes fit, and I feel better about myself. Beautiful comes in all shapes and sizes, and I totally splurge on yummy food without holding onto dreams of dropping to my high school size, but I do like the way that healthy feels. Fitness is something you have to fight for and truly make a priority in the busy world we live in, but I believe it is good for me physically, emotionally, and mentally. It's a fight worth fighting.
Our health and weight are not something to be ashamed of, or hide, but rather something to support and build up each other in.
Are you struggling with these same issues? Contact me here, or comment below and I'd love to talk more about it and pray for you. If you'd like to get newsletters twice a month, sign up here. I hope you'll stick around and explore more, and connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Currently,
Kelsie
I'm linking up with
A Fresh Start.
