Sheer Madness

This is the time of year that Personal Trainer's and Wellness Coaches are usually the busiest. Why? Because this is the season for dieting and people being disappointed by their dieting so then they need a Wellness Coach! I am writing this blog a little concerned, once again, over our obsession with weight, and the lack of concern over health. As I watch people scramble around for the "easy fix", the magic ring, the one piece of equipment that will take fat off quickly! going to be hypnotized, injected, tapeworms inserted! ( I am NOT making that up!) fat sucked out, fat inserted, purging, or just not eating, I feel outright sad. This is not just a female issue, there are men out here doing the same things and the crowd is growing. Why? Wouldn't it be so easy to blame the media? And yes, they are culpable in this, but they are not the only one's to blame. I see it this way: If you are under the age of 18 years old, it is your parents that are responsible for helping you have a positive body image. If you are older and look to all of the models/actors, whom by the way have been digitized to look like ageless elves, to boost your self-esteem and give you guidance; get ready to always fail. No one looks like that. THEY don't even look like that! I know I am coming from the perspective of a Black American Woman and you are wondering why I brought up ethnicity? Because depending on your culture; the image you have in your head regarding your body will be totally different from someone else's.  In my culture a big booty is KEY! You know the song "Brick house?" When the singer says: "36-24-36, what a winning hand!" That is a Black Woman's dream shape( or used to be) small in the waist and pretty in the face, but with that big butt. :) When people call me skinny, I have to make myself not be offended. Now on the other hand, my Caucasian friends work to be a size 0( I didn't even know that existed years ago!) some of them, not all. In my opinion unless you are 5'0 and petite, you should not be a size 0, but that is just me. I, as a woman and Personal Trainer don't understand why anyone wouldn't want their breasts, butt or hips! I am a woman, not a ten year old boy. Now I see a trend going on, almost like a 'Class War' between the too thin people calling themselves fit and the overweight people calling themselves curvy, and both are two polar extremes that are BOTH unhealthy. Then you have people like me that have been both. I have been too thin, I have binged and purged, I have been an exercise bulimic, yes.. Me. This ain't my first time at the rodeo folks, this is just the first time I have kept the weight off for years. I have, as some of you may know, been really big. We are talking six rolls on the back big! So my point is? Balance is key and knowing boundaries is essential! Look, this really doesn't have to be hard and I am not talking from a place of not knowing or arrogance. Losing or gaining weight is a life changer, no doubt, but it doesn't have to be a health risk. Do we really need that type of drama? The lies, the madness, the obsession and the procrastination stop with YOU.  Wishing you Peace and Love, but mostly Peace. 

Zumba Up and Down( warm it UP!) :)

You Know You Have Messed Up When.....

Life is funny, and I am not being sarcastic here either. Like I was saying; Life is funny, just when you think you are in love, and you probably are by the way, The one that your love was intended for turns out to be the brother from another mother of the last rectum that you dated. Funny, huh? It wasn't anything big or dramatic that cued me, it was a series of things and my reaction to those things; DANG SELF-AWARENESS! But once you know who you are, there is no turning back, all bets and lies to yourself are off.  Now the mess happens when you start telling yourself that you can ignore things, make excuses for yourself and the person you are involved with. I don't expect perfection, no one does( at least the people that I know) because I'm not perfect( I know, I know, this is all new to you!) but I do have standards. Even in a world that tells you that standards are not realistic(really?) That hoe-ing (new word for you) it up is okay and trying to save yourself for someone that just might love you is dumb.  That choosing to want someone in your life that has a modicum of respect for you and his/herself is too much to ask. You know what I say to that? You live your life expecting nothing, and nothing is what you will receive. You know where I learned that? From my ex-husband, go figure! But is it the Truth? Yes! Expect nothing, get nothing. I am going to say something totally radical here, ready? Have expectations and standards! WHEW! It is okay and don't allow others to tell you any different. You know why it is okay? Because you hold yourself to a certain standard, you have expectations of yourself and this is not a bad thing. Messing up every once in awhile is okay, I try not to make it a pattern and it keeps me honest. I took a love hit for the team(you being the Team) my skin might be a little tender right now, but I am standing a lot taller. I know my worth and I hope you know yours. Wishing you peace and love... but mostly Peace.