Sunday, August 8, 2010

It Isn't Really Cheating...


As I read about this weeks physical challenge I tried to think of what I would chose to try and improve, push ups? Crunches? The problem was that I can already do quite a few of those and there is no way I would have been able to improve as much as the challenge required (45 push ups... not going to happen. A million crunches... nope) and so I decided on the only thing possible was to pick pull ups (I haven't really done them much... or at all) And I did! By the end of the week I reached the goal and did a total of 1½ pull ups! And I don't even feel bad about it, though I am thinking I might need to start incorporating pull ups into my workout routine...

The emotional challenged I also did, it was an interesting experience. I have had more self confidence lately but it is still difficult to scrutinize your body and try and figure out things you love, instead of seeing things you would like to change. First I started with the things I have always liked about myself but after I did that, I still had 12 more things to come up with. So I tried to see myself as if I had never seen myself before, I realized when I took out my own prejudice there were many things that I didn't even notice that would have normally upset me. I don't judge others looks as harshly as I judge my own and I think that is a mistake I need to work on, of course I have imperfections but why should I dwell on them? I don't dwell on others' imperfections, if I even notice something imperfect about someone else, I don't hold on to it or even really think about it! Why should I make my own imperfections such a big deal? I can notice them, maybe try to change them but hold on to them? Make myself feel bad about them? Why? What is the point of that? It only hurts myself and why should I hurt? Why should any of us do that to ourselves? It is not healthy or productive, so why not give yourself the same courtesy you give to a total stranger? Give yourself permission to not be perfect.

2 comments:

Unknown on August 8, 2010 at 7:23 PM said...

Hey Amber love your blog - makes ours look pretty weak by comparison- but so fun to share the challenge too! I love this post too - it is so true - we are always our own worse critics - it is ok NOT to be perfect...

Helena on August 8, 2010 at 7:31 PM said...

Yes yes yes, this is so true! You just make sense. Also, congrats on your 1 1/2 pull up. I can't even do 1.

And Larissa, thank you so much for inspiring Amber! I really needed this.

z

Annie, age 29

About Annie

With everything I am responsible for at home, my ridiculous work schedule and my health problems, it makes it hard to keep working out on the front burner. But when I heard about this blog, I thought 'why not!'. I'm excited to get started and hopefully I won't die of exhaustion when this is all over!

Heléna, age 26

About Helena

I can't fit into my clothes! After getting married and being forced to eat my own cooking, I started gaining weight. The desk job didn't really help. I gained 30 lbs in the past year, and I can really feel it when I try to get dressed in the morning. I am really good at starting diet and exercise programs; but really bad at finishing them. And that's all about to change...

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