Well, I'm trying. All in the name of "being my best self."
Is your social media timeline full of fitness posts too? Maybe I've joined too many groups in the past, or maybe because I used to go to the gym regularly when we lived in the States, but I see motivation like this a lot:
A. Lot. Usually accompanied by images of my friends sweaty from a workout. Awesome! I love it. I love fitness. On some level, I want to be that dedicated to it, too.
And I want to be my best self. Don't we all?
Recently I had an epiphany. (Bear with me. It's kind of obvious and you probably already know it.) My "best self" depends on my inside, not my outside.
So now I read these motivational posts from my friends - who are trying to encourage others to be physically healthy - as motivation to be spiritually and emotionally healthy. I'm letting go of the focus on my flaws.
I do yoga daily, and I try to eat well, so I will no longer beat myself up about the quantities of pizza and beer I take in! I let it go.
If I don't get all the exercise I usually try for, who cares? I let it go.
I am reading a great book about God's promises and prayer. It helped me realize that focusing on my spiritual life is better for me than focusing on my physical attributes.
I meditate.
I'm working on mindfulness again.
I'm learning to let go of things that used to bother me... Just this morning, I was concerned about 2 work-related issues from 2 different jobs, but realized that I have asked the questions I need to, and it is out of my hands. I let them go.
The thing is, when I don't get emotional about things, I am truly healthier. When stress builds up in me, inevitably I get an ear infection or a nasty cold. Stress weakens the immune system... and a lot of other systems, to be honest! So I am truly healthier - being my best self - by focusing internally.
What I didn't expect? I look better, too. Getting fit - counting calories, weighing in, measuring my physical body - always focused on how far I still need to go. Focusing on my spiritual and emotional well-being? I'm happier with who I see in the mirror. I genuinely think I look better, although I'm sure I haven't changed physically.
It's amazing.
You should try it!
*All images in today's post are from pinterest
And I like when you smile.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying.
DeleteWhoa whoa, your timeline is full of fitness posts? Can we trade timelines? Mine is full of political garbage and fake news from both sides. I'd give anything to switch that out with an inspirational poster about lifting more.
ReplyDeleteDespite our drunken nomenclature, I'm a fitness freak, and I love to work out. But I also meditate and pray, because I believe it's a well rounded thing, and honestly that does a lot more for my well-being than burning calories. So cheers to being on the right path! It's so much more than just moving around and eating less.
Well, I see those, too, but kind of breeze by them. And I unfollow people who post that kind of crap too often.
DeleteI still get exercise, but I don't let that rule me now. It's pretty freeing!