southernbbn
New member
@anylene I can relate to this. I was also not an "athletic" child, suffered from body image issues (grew up in the 90's), and was often teased about my body proportions (because I was an overweight child, I got very very skinny in HS- like weak skinny and I have very long arms/ legs and a short torso that was often pointed out as "looking weird"). This does a toll on your self perception and you start to pair fitness as something that isn't for you, that "isn't you" and you often feel inferior and insecure in those environments.
It is more than a fitness journey at this point. Learning to love your body and feel good on the inside is more than just having a fit body. I would even argue that my relationship with my body and self changed first, and then I started to see visible progress. I am 35 now, and quite literally in the best shape of my life. I am about 20lbs heavier than I was 10-15 years ago, but I am stronger than ever. I lift, climb, backpack and teach a cardio kickboxing class in the evenings. No one would ever know that I was bullied for "not being athletic" when I was younger, but I was.
What shifted my progress was a few things: 1. Fuck what people used to say about me not being "athletic"- I am an adult now and can decide who I want to be. 2. I am already deserving to be in any fitness space, I do not have to earn it/ be worthy of it, 3. Stop caring about what your body looks like, and start caring more about what your body can do. 4. Therapy.
It is more than a fitness journey at this point. Learning to love your body and feel good on the inside is more than just having a fit body. I would even argue that my relationship with my body and self changed first, and then I started to see visible progress. I am 35 now, and quite literally in the best shape of my life. I am about 20lbs heavier than I was 10-15 years ago, but I am stronger than ever. I lift, climb, backpack and teach a cardio kickboxing class in the evenings. No one would ever know that I was bullied for "not being athletic" when I was younger, but I was.
What shifted my progress was a few things: 1. Fuck what people used to say about me not being "athletic"- I am an adult now and can decide who I want to be. 2. I am already deserving to be in any fitness space, I do not have to earn it/ be worthy of it, 3. Stop caring about what your body looks like, and start caring more about what your body can do. 4. Therapy.