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I, like everyone else,
have gone through self-esteem issues. I used to think I’m
not pretty enough, I’m not smart enough, I’m not thin
enough, I’m just not enough! But after realizing God gifted
me with the seasoning that created me – I knew I was enough,
I was more than enough. I made a change. I introduced my
former self to Me! I opened my heart and eyes to things new
and different. So today, let go of yesterday’s self-image.
Today - are you growing old or are you aging with some
seasoning…preferably hot sauce?
Take a nice long look at yourself in the mirror. Take a good
look - head to toe. What do you see? Do you get that uh-oh:
I’m really getting old feeling? Do you look in the mirror
and ask: Is that really me or is that my Mom looking back at
me? Well today, change that conversation – cease the moment.
You are younger today than you will be tomorrow – so stop
wasting today with reflections of yesterday.
One of my biggest pet
peeves are women who come to my fitness classes filled with
old age excuses: I’m overweight because I’m (insert age)……,
I’m not able to do pushups because I’m (insert age)…..I used
to look like that, but now that I’m…. (insert age)… I look
like this. I quickly reply with: “None of us is perfect! We
are who we are for whatever reason! So lets focus on the
perfect temple we’ve been blessed with....now put down the
excuses and pick up those weights.
Another one of my pet
peeves is that as we age, some of us let go or shall I say
GIVE UP on our former self-image. The good news is:
We’ll never look like
we used to! The better news is:
We can look and feel
even better than we used to! the most important step
to ageless beauty is to not get stuck in the way we used to
look – but to make room for what’s next.
Women who feel good about
themselves CREATE TIME TO EXERCISE because it helps boost
self-esteem and confidence. They wear fashionable clothes
that enhance their body type without showing all their body
parts, they look fresh and up to date! They get their hair
done – maybe even highlighted and if they decide to let
their hair go gray, they do it with “style”…. Madea’s
hairstyle is NOT a style.
A woman who walks into the
room, who puts some effort into looking her best, who is
overflowing with confidence – isn’t comparing herself to
the 25-year-old across the room – she’s thinking: I feel and
look good for my age, and if that’s what 40, 50 or 60+ looks
like, then I look and feel fabulous!
No matter the age – we women just want to be happy and
healthy – inside and out. We take great joy in sliding into
a pair of jeans that fit - whether size eight or 22. We look
forward to getting our hair done, getting manicures and
pedicures, and we all just want to feel like a room without
a roof (in my Pharrell voice). I love that song!!
Just because we’re aging doesn’t mean we’re stuck in life,
it’s our ticket to movement, to freedom. The freedom to do
all the things we’ve always wanted to do but didn’t or
couldn’t do because we were too busy taking care of everyone
else. So grab your freedom ticket and do something for you -
GO!
I grabbed one of my freedom tickets a few years ago. I have
always been afraid of heights, but I always wanted to
zip-line. Whenever my husband and I would go on vacation we
would always talk about it but I never had the guts to do
it.
One day while on vacation, I told him: “I think I’m going to
do it – I’m gonna zip line.” He, being his usual supportive
self, said, “Go ahead, but just because you’re doing it
doesn’t mean I’m going to, so you’re on your own.”
So, me being my normal feisty self, purchased my zip line
ticket. My husband helped me put on my vest and helmet and
looked at me as if it was our last goodbye – while laughing
hysterically. I must admit I was terrified, and as my place
in line grew closer to the jump off ledge – I thought over
and over, why am I doing this? What if something happens?
Our lives have been great so far, why am I so excited about
risking my life? Why am I standing above these trees on the
top of a mountain? Is this three-inch line of wire going to
hold me? Where is Jim – I don’t see him??
As I moved closer and closer to the ledge trying to talk
myself out of jumping, a voice said – “You are so much more
today than you were yesterday” – and I JUMPED! When I tell
you I screamed from the top of that mountain going 85 miles
per hour all the way to the sandy beach – I’m not kidding!
When I reached the bottom my husband was waiting for me -
roaring with laughter. He said he heard my mouth from the
top of the mountain all the way to the shore. We still laugh
about it today! It was one of the most exciting mind
blowing experiences of my life. But guess what? I ceased the
moment –I took control of my fear and I jumped.
So cease your moment - grab your freedom ticket. No matter
what age you are - accept it. There’s no one on this earth
like you. Let go of yesterday and make room for tomorrow.
Fifty is not the new 30 or even the new 40 – its 50! Accept
that we’re all aging – it’s called seasoning. You just need
to decide if you want to add a little dab of hot sauce!
SMOKIN!!
Your Fitness Sista!
Angela R. Steward
Creator of Fabulously Fittm
Certified Group Fitness Trainer & Healthy Living Motivator
Certified Weight Loss & Nutrition Consultant
Fabulously Fit Studio (aka Studio Fitness)
1413 Bernath Pkwy (off Airport Hwy.)
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Email: Fabfitu@yahoo.com
Cell: (419) 699-9399
Website: Fabfitu.com
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