This was so good, Meagan. I could relate to so much of what you wrote. I love how you are trying to focus more on all of the things your body does for you, and finding ways to appreciate it and nourish it, versus judge and critique it. Like Jennifer said below about getting a pedicure, I find that whenever I get a massage it helps be remember how grateful I am to have an overall healthy body that carries me through this world, and I want to be kind and gentle to it. I agree that it may be the work of a lifetime!
I know I'm late in the game, but in the last 13 years or so, I started getting more into fitness. When I was a teenager and even as a child, my grandmother was a huge influence, and more or less told me that it wasn't "lady-like" to have lots of muscle. Much of this is generational as well as cultural. Having too much muscle means you're not "delicate." I was even advised against taking dance, because I'd have "fat legs." Well, that's how I translated what she said in Cantonese. She said that my legs would look "bay" (and she didn't mean bae as in hot. "Bae" wasn't even a term in my teenage lexicon in the 1990s). Well, muscles are good and as an East Asian, I'm at a higher risk of Type 2 at a lower weight. So off to the gym I went to work with a trainer when I got married in 2010. I've stayed at a good weight, both in terms of mass and fat percentage, though I've been told by healthcare professionals that I needed to improve my muscle mass (even though my body fat percentage is fine). I was basically fat, skin and bones, with less muscle than I could have, I guess. Being small-framed and delicate-boned, I'm also at a higher risk of osteoperosis. So since last year, I've been working with a trainer 2x a week and have also subscribed to an online barre program. Wish me luck at my next checkup! :)
I got a pedicure a few wks ago and for the 1st time, I really appreciated the fact that someone was lavishing attention and care on a part of my body that I typically neglect and just expect to work. My feet literally carry me thru the world, and i barely take care of them, let alone cherish them. Made me think that showing our bodies some love every now and then is probably more healthy than ignoring or neglecting it.
P.S. I'm typing this flat on my back on my couch bc my middle-aged back has decided to act up AGAIN. (I'm interspersing rest w walks and my stretches and exercises)
This was so good, Meagan. I could relate to so much of what you wrote. I love how you are trying to focus more on all of the things your body does for you, and finding ways to appreciate it and nourish it, versus judge and critique it. Like Jennifer said below about getting a pedicure, I find that whenever I get a massage it helps be remember how grateful I am to have an overall healthy body that carries me through this world, and I want to be kind and gentle to it. I agree that it may be the work of a lifetime!
I know I'm late in the game, but in the last 13 years or so, I started getting more into fitness. When I was a teenager and even as a child, my grandmother was a huge influence, and more or less told me that it wasn't "lady-like" to have lots of muscle. Much of this is generational as well as cultural. Having too much muscle means you're not "delicate." I was even advised against taking dance, because I'd have "fat legs." Well, that's how I translated what she said in Cantonese. She said that my legs would look "bay" (and she didn't mean bae as in hot. "Bae" wasn't even a term in my teenage lexicon in the 1990s). Well, muscles are good and as an East Asian, I'm at a higher risk of Type 2 at a lower weight. So off to the gym I went to work with a trainer when I got married in 2010. I've stayed at a good weight, both in terms of mass and fat percentage, though I've been told by healthcare professionals that I needed to improve my muscle mass (even though my body fat percentage is fine). I was basically fat, skin and bones, with less muscle than I could have, I guess. Being small-framed and delicate-boned, I'm also at a higher risk of osteoperosis. So since last year, I've been working with a trainer 2x a week and have also subscribed to an online barre program. Wish me luck at my next checkup! :)
I got a pedicure a few wks ago and for the 1st time, I really appreciated the fact that someone was lavishing attention and care on a part of my body that I typically neglect and just expect to work. My feet literally carry me thru the world, and i barely take care of them, let alone cherish them. Made me think that showing our bodies some love every now and then is probably more healthy than ignoring or neglecting it.
P.S. I'm typing this flat on my back on my couch bc my middle-aged back has decided to act up AGAIN. (I'm interspersing rest w walks and my stretches and exercises)
"My feet literally carry me thru the world..." Girl. I hear you. These bodies do SO MUCH for us! Thanks for sharing.