I was walking to the subway the other night, and two girls in workout clothes were moving slowly on the stairs in front of me.
They heard me clacking down the stairs in my Jack Rogers and moved to the side to let me pass.
“Sorry! We just took a really hard workout class. You get it.”
Body image is a funny thing, huh?
When I was 50 pounds overweight, I was blissfully oblivious, most of the time, to how I looked.
Nope, didn’t really realize–or accept, I guess–here that I was overweight. I did realize my hair was really long, though.
When I first lost 50 pounds, I thought I looked HOT. I strutted my stuff like I hadn’t in years.
It’s been three years since I reached my goal weight (although I have gained back a few pounds since) and this body is no longer the new, shiny thing it was a few years ago.
I’ve gotten used to it, and I generally regard myself at being at a fairly healthy weight. I could stand to lose a few pounds, but it’s not a focus. All of this is a long way of saying that I don’t think about my body and how others perceive it a ton any more, though I do still sometimes see more of the above in myself than what I actually look like today.
So it was somewhat surprising to me that these girls said “you get it.” As in, “you work out!” It was a nice feeling. Much like this a few years ago.
By the way, I asked them what workout had them ridiculously sore. It was the Fhitting Room, if you’re curious.
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I admire your accomplishments! I have struggled to accomplish weight loss over the years. Your blog keeps me motivated to keep going! I totally understand what you are saying about body image. I look back at certain pictures and I wonder how I could not have seen how big I was! Its so easy to ignore. For me I didn't realize until I started really focusing on being healthy. Keep up the great work!
Loved this -->"All of this is a long way of saying that I don’t think about my body and how others perceive it a ton any more"
I actually think that's awesome. I always find it difficult to live in that happy medium of focusing on health and body, but not making it an obsession or idol. Way to go.
P.S. New classes are ALWAYS popping up in the city. Love it!
It is interesting the things we don't see in ourselves. A few years ago I was about 40 pounds heavier than I am now and I had no idea how big I was. Personally, I think it's a good thing I didn't realize it then because I wasn't confident enough to deal with it. It probably would have made it worse for me. It is so cool now when people ask for my opinion or advice on health related things. It is a much better place to be. Great job with your weight loss and overall health!
I think even if it's a stranger everyone wants to hear that their hard work has paid off. That someone other than yourself notices your accomplishment.
What a lovely compliment. You have done so well, you should be proud!
My body image is a hot mess since I started the repairing of my metabolism business. Holy wow. But I am working on it. Amazing that I can fit into a size 6-8 US dress but still beat myself over the head constantly right now.....
Great post. I find it so hard to get to a happy medium where I am confident with my own body image, but I know I can get there :)
I bet that was an amazing feeling! It is so nice to get complimented on your physical fitness level - your hard work is obviously paying off :)
I love this post as I can completely relate. I gained 30lbs after college (what I get for no longer being a college athlete) and was in denial about it for years. I'm only 5'1 so 30lbs is really noticeable. I was double the dress size that I am now. Either way, it's awesome to have people notice your hard work. Coworkers in the office always talk to me now about their runs and working out.
get it girl! :) proud of ya