I had a different post I was going to write but decided to change it at the last minute.. Black women have been having a rough week and I didn’t want to tell ya’ll what happened to me on Saturday. We’ll table that for next week.
It seems that everyone I know (or talk to) is in some stage of fitness “whatever.” Either working out, saying they’re gonna work out, just finished working out. All of the above. I really don’t know anyone that really says “yeah, I’m gonna sit on my behind here and let it grow wide.”
For the women, it’s about being healthy, but really, most of it is about being vain. I know that’s why I work out. I have a bag full of jeans I can’t fit anymore, ranging from size 4-8, one still has the tags on it. I want my tank tops to look a certain way. I want to be svelte and sleek-ish. The messy look I like works if I’m small (er). Having a messy look and being big just makes me look like a “Don’t” that belongs in a magazine.
Honestly, I don’t know why men work out. For some of my friends it’s because they’re coming from a point of reference and can remember when the fibers of their smedium shirts were stretched to their limits.
We all have a mental picture of where we’d like our bodies to be. Could be J-Lo or Sophia Vergara. The Rock or Ryan Gosling (grr) it’s that mental picture that we strive for.
Whether or not we get there is another story entirely.
At my lightest, I was going out dancing (my favorite type of cardio) and engaging in massive amounts of extracurricular activities. Before I knew it, I was -30lbs and didn’t notice it til someone pointed it out.
I remember those days.
- That used to be me.. Yes, past tense.
2 sit down jobs later, I look at the size of my jeans and get angry. My body has shifted. It’s run away on me!! My big stomach staged a coup d’etat and overthrew my flat stomach. I can’t tell you when it happened, I just remember my size 8 jeans not buckling. I used to have that side dimple in my thighs. Now, I couldn’t find that dimple with a magnifying glass.
I know it didn’t happen overnight, but I want it gone! I want it gone now. I want to wave a wand, do 2 min of jump rope and have my old body back. I’m in my 30′s and it’s not bouncing back like it used to. I live in Florida, I’m supposed to be beach ready! What part of the Matrix is THIS?!
*sigh*
All I know is not having a workout partner is killing me. Not having a routine is doubly worse! My whole family carries weight well, so it’s not like we “look” big, but the illusion isn’t enough. I want to be slim. Forgetting to eat is ruining everything. Eating poorly when I do eat is making me want to forget the whole thing. I’m not obese, that should be good enough. Then I look at the jeans sitting on the floor of my closet and I do one more push up.
So I’m asking you. What’s your motivation to work out? What’s your goal? Are you fighting genetics or playing “catch up” with your old body? What secrets do you have for staying consistent?
Cuz this is ridiculous… (and bullcrap)
Peace and Love, Nick
p.s. I lie. I JUST remembered that ethiopianboy is the only person I know that doesn’t/isn’t working out. He ain’t right.
My reasons for working out are 2 Fold. 1 because of vanity, plain and simple. I’ve never been ‘slim’ but I have been In shape and toned and I want that old thing back. I’m in my 30′s as well and the weight comes on and stays on a lot quicker. I have to work harder and my nutrition (portion control/sweet tooth) has to be my biggest struggle. The 2nd reason is because I don’t want to become ill and have to take medication for the rest of my life. My genetics play a part in this, however if I have a hand in staving off any chronic illnesses I’m going to do my best to not fall victim to them.
Good Post
Elle!
your reasons for workin out are just like mine! even worse than not fitting in my clothes, I started experiencing diabetic symptoms.. I’m trying to catch it before it becomes an issue.. you would think that would motivate me enough an ironically out doesn’t.. which stinks..
I need to get myself together… I got too many bathing suits my body can’t slide into..
My motivation is just to feel better. I was a lot more active at 170 than at 200. I also snore with the extra weight so getting kneck punched by Moneypenny is getting old. I’m not fat but I can be better. Overall it’s a terrible mix of vanity (there’s nothing like getting stared at by your woman when you take your shirt off.) and health. A terrible mix.
Why did you toss TDA under the bus?
by certain standards I’m not fat, but I feel it.. doesn’t help that mom will bring me fries just because.. items difficult to resist when I’m staring into my salad bowl..
I didn’t toss that man under the bus, Lol.. he talks about that junk all the time.. and he really is thin.. I’m sure I’m not the first woman that’s been upset with this fact.. Lol
I thought I was fat in college! Three years of graduate school just got me out here looking like Porky the Pig. So first goal, get back to the size I was in college. Then, at least, I can fit back into all the clothes I’ve refused to throw away. Second goal-lose 15 more lbs past that and finally be under 200 lbs. Third goal-MAINTAIN myself from 190 (LOL!)-200lbs as I start toning. Or at least let any poundage past 200 be muscle.
“3 sit-down jobs later”-u never lied. The struggle is real. I can’t wait to get through qualifying exams this summer so I can at least free myself from this desk!
those sit down jobs are the worst. I gained too much weight eating all this haitian food.. I wish I had better control, but I don’t.. since I’ve always had an athletic build, I’m not sure i ever thought it would catchup with me.. my body is now telling me I was wrong in every way..
good luck!! I get the feeling we’re gonna need it..
There is nothing like a desk to kill your drive.
especially when all you feel like doing when you get home is sit on the sofa..
my motivation to work out is to have fun. my workouts usually come in the form of playing basketball or running. two things that i love to do. so i don’t really see it as working out. since moving to new york i haven’t joined a gym so i’ve been severely slacking on weight training. for now its all pushups, sit-ups, etc.
due to my metabolism and gene pool i don’t think i’ll ever be a larger man. but i am vain and things like a six pack and a v-cut are kinda important to me. i like my body to look a certain way.
I hate to make a case for going to the club, but dancing was the most fun I ever had getting in shape.. you’re right, when it doesn’t feel like work is when it’s easy.. which is why I’m trying to find a partner to do outdoor things with.. I know doing my workouts inside is going to take me too long to get the weight off…
I was motivated at one point. I don’t know where it went. But what initially got me to go was that one day I just felt fat. I’ve always been a full sized girl with moments of skinny-ness but I looked in the mirror and was not comfortable with what I saw or how I felt.
My problem is I have moments of tiredness and laziness which comes from the lack of energy and the desk job. If I workout I’m sure to have more energy but I’m tired…and lazy. Its a vicious cycle and one that I really want to change.