Everyone’s body changes over time. These changes can be difficult to accept or very welcome.
As I progress through a fitness challenge that I created for myself in the month of May, I have been reflecting a lot on how my body has changed slowly over time. Most specifically, how I perceive myself.
Seven years ago I was wrapping up my Dietetic Internship and training for my third marathon. I was in the best shape of my life. I was strong, lean and fit. I was (and still am) extremely proud of what my body was capable of doing. In the fall of 2011 I ran my fastest marathon to date – 4:36.26. I was on cloud nine and felt extremely proud of the way my body looked.
Life happened; I didn’t have as much free time to exercise. I started dating my now husband. For five years I traveled 45 minutes each way for work, rewarding work, I might add. I had a baby. My body is not the same. I am still proud of it.
But… for a split second every time I look into the mirror, I expect to see the reflection of that person I was seven years ago. Even though I am SO proud of where my body has carried me and what it has done, I find myself disappointed some days.
I thought this was something that only I felt. I shared this feeling with my husband a couple weeks ago and, without hesitation, he responded, “Yeah, I expect to see a six pack every time I look in the mirror.”
It isn’t just me. I am not alone.
So, as I progress through this new fitness journey, which is completely different than the one I began over a decade ago, I have decided that I need to redefine what my expectation of my reflection is. I mean, my body doesn’t respond the same way it did at 24. But, this will require an exceptional amount of conscious thought.
Every time I feel a twinge of disappointment at my reflection in the mirror, I will actively remind myself:
…Of what my body has done since then. I grew a human for goodness sake.
…Of my fitness goals for the future.
…That I will never see that exact reflection again, but maybe an even better one.
…That my body will continue to change, and that is OK.
…That I am strong no matter what my reflection looks like.
How will you change your inner dialogue with yourself when you look at your reflection? How will you redefine your expectation of your reflection?
