workin' on my fitness

So I'll be honest, I've been slipping off the bandwagon. The first week I was working out and feeling great, but it was also spring break. Now that I'm back into the swing of school and work I get to the gym maybe once or twice a week, and I'm starting to get frustrated with myself for being so lax about my body like this.

Hence why my last two posts have been about something other than my weight. (honestly, I haven't even touched the scale because I feel I won't like the number. oops.)

I'm going to keep going on my posts about other fitness related posts and this one is something that I am very passionate about: Thinspiration.

Yes, last week, my post was titled Thinspiration, but I've always viewed it as something very different from what it is becoming, which is a monster that is feeding into the eating disorder culture. 

Recently it was pointed out to me that Pinterest is starting to do something about it, and hopefully other websites will follow. 

this same message pops up with other searches such as "thigh gap"

When you search "thinspiration" on pinterest, its no longer just a bunch of work outs and obscene thigh gaps, there's a message: "Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, they are mental disorders that if left untreated can cause serious health problems or could even be life-threatening." THANK YOU PINTEREST! 

In my first Tough it out Tuesday, I emphasized that my drive for this was for the love of every bit of my body including my thunder-thighs and back fat. And although I want to make my body healthier, there is a line between healthy and sick. 

I strongly believe that the purest form of "sexy" is confidence. I don't care if you are thin or chunky, short or tall, if you love every part of you and rock it, you've got sexy down. Now, with that said, I will always strongly believe that Queen got it right and Fat Bottom Girls do indeed make the world go 'round. 

One final bit of social commentary for the day:

1. What is the obsession with a thigh gap? you have little chicken legs and a gap that resembles two hot dogs on a double pronged roaster to cook em over the fire.

The ultimate question: Hot Dog or Legs? 

There's only one thigh gap that anyone should ever be after:

2. Just look at this ad from the 50s:

Alright, I'll hop off my soap box now. I guess my message to all of you: you're beautiful and f*** thigh gaps and the acceptance of eating disorders in our society. As for me, I'm going to the gym to get healthy, not to get skinny. 

Make Over

So I recently discovered a blog that I absolutely love! It's the amazing Allie at Tales of a Twenty Something. I was super inspired by her newest post about her lifestyle changes and becoming a healthier and better version of herself. I decided that it was time for me to do the same! I've been living in a cycle of gym freak to Netflix obsessed and back and forth for the past few years, and now is the time for me to go full force. 
With just a few months of college left, I want to take advantage of a free gym and the financial ability to eat better. So I want to create a weekly segment to keep track of my workouts and the meals I'm eating. 

Before I get into my starting measurements and all that jazz, I just want to say something: I am not doing this because I hate the body I have now, I'm doing this because I love my body, and I need to start treating it like it has treated me. This body is an epic machine. It has survived everything: sickness, health, scraped knees, broken hearts, awful haircuts, knicks from shitty razors, burns, bruises, broken bones, and even the intentional manipulations like tattoos and piercings. This body has withstood so many things, and it deserves to be in the best condition it can be. I am not doing this because I am ashamed of all 226 lbs of me, I am not ashamed of my size 16 jeans or my large t-shirts. I love it, every last cell in my body, I love it. But it is time for me to start taking better care of it. 
With that, my plan is to go to the gym 5-6 times a week and go meatless at least 1 meal a day and spend at least 2 days a week without red meat. I also am going to start eating full meals instead of snacking all day (which is really hard with a job and a full course load) but I know I can do it. With that, these posts are going to track my lifestyle changes and the changes in my body, and I can't wait to take on this adventure!

Today is my starting day, so I've got my start pictures and my measurements. I can't wait to take this adventure, and really change my life around.

The numbers: 

Starting Weight: 226.2 lbs
Waist: 44.25"
Hips: 48.75"
Chest: 46"
Thigh: 30.5"
Arm: 14.5"

I am so excited to start seeing and feeling the changes! And while I'm going on this adventure, be sure to check out everyone else that is part of this link-up at Tales of a Twenty Something.