5 Things Every Fit Girl Wants You To Know

 Let's face it...

It's hard being unhealthy.  It's hard being fit.

Unfortunately, in the society we live in now, we are constantly having to explain ourselves.  It's a little unfair to say the least.

When I was overweight... if I complained even for a second that I wanted to be healthier, thinner, more fit... it was met with questions like "well then why don't you just do it?" or "Then why are you eating that cake right now?"  Well... those are all good and well questions (and pretty obviously valid) however, I had to explain myself.

Now.  I'm in the best shape of my life and I am still finding that I have to explain myself, my motives, my reasons for eating a certain way, for turning DOWN that cake, for spending time in my home gym.  And to be honest, I am getting a little tired (exhausted really) of having to explain my lifestyle.

So, I decided to compile a short list of (what I feel) fit girls want you to know.  Enjoy!  And let me know if any of these speak to you or if I missed the mark here.

1.  FOOD IS EVERYTHING

No really.  It is everything.  Back when I was unhealthy, I didn't care what I put in my body as long as it tasted good.  I didn't care that it was full of artificial ingredients, GMOs, excess sugars, and God knows what else.  I just shoveled it in as fast as I could.  Back then, food was the center of everything.  It still is the center of everything, but now in a good way.  I run my day around when I am going to eat and what it is, however, NOW it is fresh healthy food.  It still tastes amazing and what is better is that it is helping me achieve the results that I have always dreamed of!  So just because I am no longer eating the cookies and cake (all the time) doesn't mean that I don't like food just as much as the next person, I just take care and pay attention to what it is that I am eating.  And so should you! 

But for the love of God, please stop telling me that I am "still on that crazy diet" or that I am weird for eating 7 servings of protein a day, because in the end... does it effect you?  No.  I didn't think so.  You don't have to understand my choices for skipping dessert 80% of the time and allowing a cheat every once in a while.  I follow an 80/20 rule for healthy eating (and sometimes 90/10) because that is what works for me.  And for the record... it's not a diet... I just eat whole foods that are minimally processed and I am healthier because of it.  And for that, I shouldn't have to explain myself.

2.  I WILL BE ACTIVE EACH & EVERY DAY

If you show up at my house in the morning, there is a 50/50 chance that I will be in my gym working out.  Though I don't have a set time for my workouts, I usually have it done before going to pick my kids up from school.  My closest friends and my family know that when they call me and I am out of breath, it is because I am doing right by my body. I am pushing hard.  I am sweating (and sometimes swearing).  I am working out, being active.  And they aren't bothered by it.  In fact they tell me encouraging words and say they will call back.  They don't give me guilt because I didn't drop everything.  They don't say that I am weird or to "take it easy, would ya?"  No.  They support me because they know that this is part of my every day life.  And yes, even my rest days have time blocked off for SOMETHING active whether it be yard work or yoga.  I will be active every day... unless I am sick and then I will be curled up in a ball on my couch watching Friends reruns and crying because I am not being active.

3.  I AM IN CONSTANT COMPETITION.....

 ... with myself.  Contrary to what everyone thinks, I am no longer coveting the fitness models or the super fit people on my Pinterest boards.  I don't look at the girl running marathons with jealousy.  I don't wish I looked like Heidi Klum (...wellllllllll maybe). No.  I realized a long time ago how unhealthy it was to compete and long after what other fit women had.  When I changed my mindset to competing with myself, everything changed.  Fit girls look in the mirror and compete with THAT girl.  So to the girls that are still on their Fit-Girl journey, stop trying to compete with the other girls.  Look in the mirror and be better than THAT girl each and every day.  

Make sure you take LOTS of progress pictures that way you can see how far you have come in a day, a week, a month, a year... and so on.  I cannot emphasize this enough!!

So before you go and think that I am putting all this effort in at the gym and the kitchen just to be better than someone else, you are wrong.  I am doing it to be better than the yesterday me.

4.  I EARNED THIS BODY, THESE MUSCLES

This may come as a shocker but, I have worked really hard for these muscles and this physique and I love it.  That doesn't mean you have to.  I'm not asking you to love it... or even like it and I never would expect you to.  But the whispering of criticism or hiding behind posting mean things in the comments of my progress pictures on social media is pathetic.   I earned this body.  I earned these muscles.  I have put TIME, sweat, blood and tears into getting to where I am today and your opinion truly does not matter.  Just think of all the time you wasted talking about my physical appearance, you could have stopped secretly competing with me and looked in the mirror and started working on what you love about YOU.

These muscles, these curves, this body is MINE and mine alone.  So before you open you mouth again about the fit girls in your life, remember that those are THEIR muscles to worry about, not yours.

5.  I'M GOING TO CONTINUE

I'm not even sure why this has to be talked about, but no, I am not going to stop.  I have had so many people ask me when my diet was going to be over, or when I would stop lifting weights, or running, or doing yoga.  Um..... never?  I am going to continue living a fit and healthy lifestyle, hopefully, forever.  I'm not going to give up just because I am finally a "fit girl."  I'm not going to give up because I reached a goal... I will just set another one to strive for.  I'm not going to give up because I have worked too dang hard to get here.

While we are on the topic of continuing... I'm going to continue to share my story, my journey, my advice, my motivation and everything else on my social media and in person because it is something I am truly passionate about.  I am sure that my motivational posts or the clean eating rants I go on or the incessant progress pictures may get old to the majority of my social media followers and Facebook friends but the truth is... if my posts reach that ONE girl out there... the one that gave up... the one that thought there was no possible way for her to be a "fit girl"... then it ALL matters.  I share, not to gloat.  I share, to inspire.  Because it's what got me started and kept me going, seeing OTHER women's fitness posts, their stories, their journeys.  So, I'm going to continue to post and share and encourage because there is just way too much negativity in this world and it is not welcome in my little corner.

---- And for the record, you can find me on Instagram @fitmomjoslin and Facebook www.facebook.com/fitmomjoslin ---- ;-)

So there you have it.  What I feel are 5 things every fit girl wants you to know.  I probably could have come up with 10 more, like having to explain why I am in workout clothes all. the. time.  But I kept it to the top 5 that are the most important to me.  I hope that this spoke to you, I would love to hear your feedback, comment below or email me fitmomjoslin@gmail.com
 
Keep on keeping on ladies!

~Joslin