Am I really doing this?
A lot of the time, we are our own worst enemies. A combination of self-doubt, societal pressures, and life balance can be an obstacle when it comes to reaching our goals. That said, it is our resilience, positive mind, and determination that gives us the strength we need to overcome. This dichotomy presents a struggle that I have faced for most of my life. Pretty sure many of you can relate to that.
Writing this first blog post is a big accomplishment for me (and a little scary). I wanted to share my thoughts to the world about inclusivity and joyful movement for people from all walks of life. I want us to celebrate our accomplishments. Here are ten of my personal accomplishments. These are victories that I thought I could not realize; hurdles I thought I would never overcome. I would like to share them with you.
1. Join a gym
Joining a gym in my 30’s was really daunting. I was not much of a gym person in high school and had pretty much made it my mission to avoid exercise at all costs. My doctor said if I didn’t do something, I would be diabetic by the end of the year. So, off to the gym I went. Elliptical, treadmill, circuit training, boot camp. I did it all. I hated it all. I did meet a great yoga instructor.
2. Run a 5K
Never did I think I would ever run a mile again after that painful Presidential Fitness Test in high school. I know that my disturbingly slow time is still gathering dust in a stack of collected data at the Department of Health and Human Services. But I did run a 5k. Several of them. Using the Couch to 5k program, I slowly built up to it. To be honest, I hate running.
3. Bike 20 miles
Got the bike and trained for Tour de Cure. I liked it. Upstate New York is not really suited for year-round biking. I lost interest. Next!
4. CrossFit
Are you kidding me? I was 50 when this challenge was sent my way. I really have no idea how I gathered the guts to walk into “the box”. I loved it. I hated it. I made friends. I had great coaches that encouraged me but kept me safe. I was part of a community. I got strong. I was sad when I left it. Damn COVID.
5. Enjoy time with small children
Ask anyone. Not for me. I often joke that I barely liked my own! Truthfully, I love my son. He is awesome. Then I became a grandmother. Woah. That was a game-changer. My grandson is my heart. I am his YaYa. That is all that matters.
6. Yoga
I came to yoga about 25 years ago. It was chair yoga. It was what I could manage at the time. I liked it. As the years passed, I found my way back to yoga several times. There were times when I thought I wasn’t allowed to do yoga. I didn’t look like anyone in my class. I didn’t fit the mold. I could not bend my body into those poses. I knew nothing of props or variations. I did not realize the benefits until I was doing a regular practice.
Even during my CrossFit days, I did yoga. Even Aerial Yoga! The combination of the two felt good in my body. I have been doing a regular practice for a few years now and have realized that yoga is for all people of all body types.
7. Become a Yoga Instructor
I had been doing a regular practice for a while (Thanks COVID!) and was presented with a challenge. 7 weeks, 6:30 AM, Outside. Challenge accepted. I saw my practice change, my body listen, my awareness deepen, and it came to me – I want others to know this. Other people like me – older, fatter, wiser – need to know that they can do yoga (and a lot of other things too!). And the benefits! As an older adult, I want to live independently for as long as possible. Joyful movement will do that for me.
8. Stop Dieting (and Binge Eating)
I was a teenager in the ’80s. Diet Culture was running rampant. I did all the diets. All of them. I developed an eating disorder. I had bariatric surgery. Never, ever could I get my body to look like society said it was supposed to look. Now I am in recovery. I call myself a Diet Culture Dropout. I eat what I want; when I want and as much as I want. Food has no morality (most of the time). It’s just food and I love it.
9. Accept My Body
This one was hard. It’s still hard sometimes. I don’t have to love my body but must respect it. My body allows me to do all the things. I accept it and thank it every day for continuing to do what I ask. I ask a lot!
10. Have a web page
Here I am. This is me. Curvy Body in Motion. Or just Cheryl if you prefer. Welcome. I hope that you find something here that resonates with you.
What Are Some Things That You Thought You Would Never Do?
I hope you enjoyed this list of some of my favorite accomplishments. What achievements in your own life make you feel pride? Let me know on Instagram!