Showing Up for You

Finally, my order arrived! I was so excited to try them on. Huh, this is strange and not quite right. They come up, but they’re… tight?!
Matter of fact everything seems to be a bit snug these days. The leggings are stretching to the point of no return. The jeans are comfortable as long as I don’t sit down. The cute bodysuit shirts don’t look the way I imagined when I bought them.

Here’s the thing: I saw it. I noticed the changes. But it didn’t quite resonate until I stepped onto the scale at my doctor’s appointment. This scale has got to be broken! I know she’s lying. She didn’t even seem surprised. I’m standing in shock. I’m recalculating her moves to reach my weight’s verdict. Reality begins to sink in. I felt an ounce of confidence drop to the pit of my stomach. Had I really gained that much weight?

I don’t know why I felt sideswiped. It should’ve seemed obvious. I wasn’t working out. I was sleeping in. I was taking naps. I seemed to live in a state of fatigue. And even when I worked out I was lacking. Frustration built as my efforts collapsed. I told myself to go harder. But my body had reached its peak performance. What do you do when you’re burned out, exhausted, depressed, and lost your motivation, but know you should be taking better care of yourself?

You show up.

We’re now in spring. Summer is around the corner. There’s pressure to be in top shape. Beach vacations and cruise getaways are daunting. But with all the reasons to work out, most of them don’t truly matter when we’ve been renewing our mind on a healing journey.

We’re past performing for others.
We’re not doing it for validation.

Our mental is greater than looking good.

Our pent-up anger was released in therapy.
We’re over the hustle of constantly pushing ourselves to the brink.

Whatever you do in the gym this year, do it for you and no one else. Show up for you.

Intensity will increase.
Minutes will increase.
Weights will increase.

All these things will gradually grow in time. But first, you just need to learn to show up for yourself.

Show up for you.

Show up to discipline you.

Show up when you don’t feel like it. 

Show up when they think you won’t.

Because this time around you are doing it for you. The person that you’ve ignored for far too long. You actually matter this time. Your opinion is heard this season. Your well-being is now in high regard. After all you have been through you deserve it. Show up for you and show up proud. Besides, that new confidence you’re wearing looks better than any new pair of pants ever would.