No F-15 For Me!

            I learned something of some importance this past week. An epiphany or sorts I guess you could say. Health and Fitness is always a touchy subject, especially if you’re an 18 year old woman, who lives in a society where it’s wrong to be any larger that a size 2, and has the “freshman 15” hanging over her head like an ax. Being a size 14 and having real curves, not the curves that they talk about in the new Levi commercials, but actual curves, hasn’t been easy to handle. When I was in 7^th grade, I started going to the gym, I was putting my foot down against being the “big girl” the one that no one wanted to talk to, the girl that was the butt of every fat joke in the book. So, I did something about it; and I know that I’m in better physical health now than I would have been if I didn’t start to exercise regularly. However, that doesn’t change the fact that my self-esteem probably isn’t in the best shape it could be, and I still struggle with my body image.

            Since coming to WSU, I have taken full advantage of their Integrated Wellness Complex; they strongly endorse a healthy mind and a healthy body. The complex houses counseling services, medical assistance, and the gym is gigantic. The first floor holds the weight room, with at least 20 benches and 8 weight stations; the guys almost always occupy this floor. Head up two flights of stairs and you’ll find the 2 full basketball courts and approximately; 13 ellipticals, 15 treadmills, 6 stair steppers, 3 bikes, 2 rowing machines, a set of free weights, and 8 different weight machines. Lastly, up another 2 flights of stairs and you find the track. In addition to the equipment, they also offer fitness classes from Zumba, to yoga and all these services, as well as the class, are free to students. So, needless to say, the excuse “I have nowhere to work out” is no longer valid. I utilize the 2^nd floor as well as yoga, palliates and Butt and Gut; and I work out 11 hours a week, with four 2 hour work outs.

            Well, about that epiphany, I was in my palliates class last week and while we were doing some side work, I realized something. Lying on our sides, with our hips stacked, and legs straight out in at a 45 degree angle, we were moving our leg in a bicycle motion. Bending the leg and pulling the leg all the way to the chest, you then extend your leg out so the your thigh is at your nose, then pointing the toe, move the leg all the way behind you where you bend your leg there and bring it back to your chest. It kills your butt like no other. But I happened to notice that some of the other girls in the class were having trouble keeping their hips motionless, and extending their leg completely. What caught me by surprise was that they were at least 4 sizes smaller than I was and I had no issues whatsoever staying still and extending my leg. I began to think; maybe size really doesn’t matter. Here I was, bigger than these petite girls and I had more control over my larger framed body as well as more flexibility. That led to thinking that it was more important to be healthy and have a strong center and flexibility than being a size 2. I have noticed than since starting yoga and palliates, I have a stronger core, my balance is a little bit sturdier and I am significantly more flexible. I’ve also noticed that my overall body (aside from my tummy which I’m still trying to work on) is in better shape, I may not have lost weight, but possibly inches from toning my body. I don’t mean to brag but this is by far the best my legs have ever looked.

            Most of my inspiration comes from the sheer determination of not gaining that pesky Freshman 15, but also from knowing that I am only bettering my body and the harder I work, the happier and more comfortable I will be in my own skin. (And even though it seems shallow, and goes against all Feminist beliefs, having a boyfriend acts as a little fire under my butt too.)

            So there you have it, all in all, I have now found that size indeed does not matter and being healthy is what is important. Maybe this isn’t new to the world, but it definitely is for me, and I’m glad to have noticed it now. I was pleased to find that earlier today, I slipped easily into my jeans even after they had been washed AND dried. All things are possible through Him who gives me strength <><