A great figure or physique is nice, but it’s self-confidence that makes someone really sexy.
Vivica Fox 

Ok fellow thrivers, I told you all I would keep you updated on my progress with the Get Fit Challenge, and that is what I am here to do!  Today was our second weigh in.  The Hubs is down 8 lbs and I am down 4 lbs (to 140) from last week.  I think most of it is primary due to water weight, especially given we both ran for an hour beforehand.  However, I am pretty sure that it’s reflective of some progress.  I have to admit that I have not been particularly focused on losing weight.  I have been focused on eating healthier.  I gave up caffeine (including Diet Coke!… *tear) and have been trying to avoid processed foods and refined sugars.  Instead, I’m getting in more protein and fresh produce.  I have to say it’s a lot easier to eat “clean” with the hubs on the same page.  He bought a juicer and is also on a healthy eating kick.

I certainly don’t feel any different yet. Nor do I think I look any different, but then I was never worried about changing my appearance.  I don’t think a number on a scale is an accurate measure of health for me anyway.  Most people are shocked to hear how much I weigh because I apparently don’t look 140 lbs (not sure exactly what 140 lbs is supposed to look like, but I guess it’s not petite).  What can I say? I’m dense… literally.  I worked hard for all that muscle, so I’m not about to sweat if my BMI doesn’t coincide with my fitness level.  

More importantly that number on the scale does reflective what my body can do.  I ran my first 50 K at my heaviest weight ever, which happens to be my current weight.  At the time, I was working out with a trainer 3 days a week AND running, cycling, and training on my own.  I don’t think my body could have carried me through that kind of terrain and mileage without gaining muscle mass and strength.  Plus, I truly believe all that cross training kept me injury free.  My point is, I can do things with my body now that I couldn’t do when I was “thinner” and lighter.  I can do chin ups, knee tucks while balancing on medicine balls, and workouts my trainer’s other clients can handle.  Why? Because I have MUSCLES and I WORK HARD.  Furthermore, I am proud of what my body can do.  Every achievement is a testament to the amount of effort I’ve put in, from hours at the gym to what I put in my mouth.

I don’t need to be the fittest, hottest, or most attractive girl out there.  I just need to know that I am doing my best.  I am not working out to be sexy.  I already am sexy- whether I’m 120 lbs or 150 lbs!  I am sexy because I am driven, passionate, and know who I am.  To me, self confidence is sexy.  Pushing limits, working up a sweat, and being willing to roll up your sleeves and get dirty is sexy.  

Sexy is like happiness.  It doesn’t come from someone else.  You don’t need anyone else to make you feel sexy.  It doesn’t come from skin baring photos and likes and comments on Facebook.  It’s something that comes from within, and it comes with self love and self acceptance.  People who have it don’t need to flaunt it; rather, it emanates from within them.  It’s in their smile and their walk.  It’s in the way they treat other people.  

Let me tell you all a secret.  While I may be “thin” and able to fit in a zero or size 2 (dress, for sure not pants!) I still have stretch marks, cellulite, love handles, and rolls when I sit.  Want to know another secret? I am ok with it.  Most women do.  Sure, I could concentrate on getting thinner, but that wouldn’t help the stretch marks or cellulite; and frankly, my hip bones stick out enough.  These are not things that detract from beauty.  These “flaws” are part of who I am and a body that has achieved more psychically than I ever thought possible.  What’s more, when I mentioned my stretch marks the other day to my husband he seemed genuinely surprised and said he never even noticed.  So maybe, just maybe, we ladies can be a little too hard on ourselves.

Sure I have days when I feel like “a busted can of biscuits” or just unattractive in general, but then I go for a run or get in a workout.  It never fails that within minutes that feeling vanishes… not because I’m “fixing the problem,” but rather because I’m changing my perspective.  What do I care about waking up bloated if I can still run over 30 miles or dead lift my body weight?  

Today, for example, I ran 7 miles in under an hour, completed the workout of the month at the gym (10 pushups, 20 knee tucks, 30 sec plank, 20 knee tucks, 10 pushups twice through all with feet in the TRX), and did an hour on the bike trainer.  How could I hate my body after all of that?

As someone who started this blog as a way to advocate for and inspire women, I want to do more than just encourage women (and men) to go out and chase after their dreams.  I want to let them know they are beautiful, clever, lovable, and sexy.  I want to demonstrate that these are qualities we need to find and appreciate in ourselves before we expect anyone else to.  Every person has his or her own unique mystique and quirks.  Instead of trying to conform to other peoples’ expectations of how to look and behave, we should all spend our energy on accepting ourselves and celebrating our individuality.  Furthermore, we should love our bodies for what they allow us to do rather than pick apart all the parts we don’t like.  Instead of viewing ourselves as having this or that flaw, let’s all embrace the total package.  

After all, you are a pretty amazing human being. 🙂

Repeat after me: I am sexy!    

Now say it and mean it!

PS. That is my new Tough Chik tank in the photo!  YEA!!!! I got my gear 🙂  Still need to spend that gift card though.  Hang Tough Thrivers!!!!