7 Reasons For Being Fit | It's Not What You Think
Inspired by fellow blogger, M, and her wonderful blog about her fitness journey, I decided to do the same. Thank you, M from @FitizenOfInsanity , for your inspiration.
I asked myself to dig deep and answer the question, 'Why do I want to be fit?' Is it purely for health reasons? Or vanity? Or setting a role model for my children? Or do I want to be inspiring other women? The deeper I dug, the more uncomfortable I realised I started to feel. Because I did not have a simple & concrete answer!
As I wrestled with the reason, I came to realise it’s a mix of a few things. Some of which I’m not so proud of (but to keep it raw and real, I’ll share openly) and some for valid healthy and longevity living. So, here is my utterly honest list of reasons:
1. VANITY
I care about the way I look. A LOT. And that has started from a young age and whether my mother likes to hear it or not, she heavily shaped me in this regard. "Don't eat chocolate, baby. It's fat." (No, not that there is 'too much sugar'. It is just, 'fat') So, staying fit for me is a means to be able to live up to that social definition of 'beauty'. It’s ugly but it has been a key driver to staying fit.
I need to work on this one, because if this continues to top this list in future, it will constantly just bring more shame than wellbeing to my life. But hey, I want to be honest with myself and my readers so that we can stay accountable in this world driven so largely by ‘perception’ on social media.
2. TO 'FEEL GOOD' PERSONALLY
Driven largely by point 1, over the years, I have conditioned myself to believe that staying fit and healthy is a discipline and a constant achievement. And for those who understand what I mean, you know it requires effort. For me, being able to achieve that and live up to that standard is rewarding. It makes me feel good. And yes, again…these feelings are fleeting and anchored in the wrong place. So, I recognise I need to shift this mindset.
3. FOR WIDER SOCIAL RECOGNITION
Further to point 2, most would have to agree that staying fit requires dedication that, frankly, not every one can (or afford) to do. And yes, when you can do it, it comes with a lot of applause. I enjoy being applauded and the compliments. Sometimes, even taking it so far as to setting myself goals and hanging them out on social media for the world to see so I cannot back down on my commitments; so that I cannot accept defeat.
4. FOR LONGEVITY
Notice how this is not point 1 when, really, it should be? Now you know how messed up my priorities are. I figure, if I fess up to it, it will give me a chance to change my focus. How can you change or improve if you can't self-reflect. Right?
5. FOR STRENGTH
Ok, this is a boring one. But it's true and should definitely sit higher on the list. I exercise and eat well for mental and physical strength. I am a mother of two and being able to carry my baby around and live a busy lifestyle, having strength is like oxygen to your lungs. It is a must. And exercising allows me to challenge my mental strength. Think "Ok, one more burpee...just one more...and I'm done!"
6. FOR THE CHALLENGE
Just to elaborate more on point 5, it is for the mental challenge and discipline.
7. TO BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL TO MY TWO BOYS
The same way my mother heavily shaped and influenced my ideas of what was healthy or not, I want to bring out all the positives of healthy living and fitness, and make a difference to my children's lives for the RIGHT REASONS.
8. Just because...I LOVE IT
Ok, I may not enjoy the actual process of circuit and resistance training as much as I do the results (Kayla, I'm sorry to say this). But hey, yoga? I love it...just because.. I DO. The same way you can't articulate why you love a certain colour no matter how much you justify it. You just do!
So there. I've opened my heart out. There are some priorities I need to shuffle around, I know. And 2015 is the year for it.
As part of achieving my fitness goals this year, here's some motivation from Carrie Green, Founder of Female Entreprenuer Association.