Transformation Tuesday
When I walked into the studio in the gym this morning, to stretch and get my mind right prior to my workout, I took notice of my appearance in the mirror. Honestly, I’d been feeling a little guilty about my dietary choices over the holiday, feeling a little ‘fat,’ to put it bluntly, and kicking myself for gaining a few measly pounds. I’m not big on excuses, but I experienced a death in the family just prior to Christmas, and where I come from food is the cure for everything, including people who are in mourning. And boy did my family get fed with fried chicken, homemade mac and cheese, pasta, scalloped potatoes, red velvet cake, and many other goodies. In fact, I can’t even remember if there was anything resembling vegetables. I’m sorry, I’m getting a little off track.
Anyway, after my workout, I went back into the studio to stretch and I decided to take these pics. My face is missing by design. I typically hate taking pics, especially selfies, but today I felt it was important.
The purpose wasn’t to document my colorful wardrobe choice. For the record, I don’t get ‘booted and suited’ to workout (or whatever the female version of ‘booted and suited’ is), I’m not there to make a fashion statement. I go to the gym to put in work. I do, however, usually make better semi-color coordinated choices though. 😉
The reason I felt the need to document this moment was because I can remember when the shirt I’m wearing would bunch up around my waist because my hips were so big. But today, I was swimming in it. I mean, swimming in it. It kind of looks like I’ve got a gut in the second picture, on the right, but I don’t. Trust me, there’s no six-pack under there (yet) but it’s starting to look aiight! It may be the poor lighting, or the angle, but I promise you there’s a lot of room under that shirt! It’s almost as if there’s a ghost impression of the me that used to be still imprinted within the shape.
This post isn’t about a “New Year, New Me.” (**And I’m not knocking or discouraging anybody who’s on that kick. Just stick with it and don’t give up by February!) I’ve been on this lifelong journey to getting fit again, and living a healthier lifestyle, for almost three years now. This post is more about pausing to recognize that even though I’ve been mentally beating myself up for temporarily slipping back into old, bad habits, I’ve still made incredible progress. I’m not even going to say I’m not where I want to be yet, because that would take away from where I am, right now, in this moment. And I’m trying to learn how to enjoy and live in the moment, without thinking about the past, or worrying about the future. It takes lots of practice, for me anyway, but I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.
Although it is a new year, I’m still the same old (awesome) me. I’m just feeling a little healthier and looking a little smaller these days.
Allow me a minute to brag on myself and bask in my accomplishments.
Continuing to work on being a better me (no matter what time of year),
Angela