Overcoming obstacles and loving your body for what it can do

Over the weekend while at dinner, my brother-in-law turned to me and said, "You're a runner, right?" I had to reply "No, I used to be, but not anymore."

Ever since high school, running was something I loved to do.  I enjoyed going on a nice, long run and working through any problems I might have had.  It made me happy and it challenged me.  A complication after having my son left me unable to run.  For me this was, and still is, absolutely devastating.  I spent weeks crying about it, thinking how it wasn't fair and searching message boards for answers.  I started physical therapy and was frustrated with what my body could not do.

After a couple of months of physical therapy I was given the all clear to work out.  I decided to go back to my favorite Beachbody program:  p90x.  At first it was very frustrating.  Not only was I still carrying around a ton of baby weight, but I there was so much I could not do.  I couldn't jump or work my abs.  It was difficult and humbling to realize that my body could not do everything.

As the weeks went by with p90x, I became stronger and I started to appreciate my body for what it could do instead of being angry about what it could not do.  No, I couldn't run or do what I did before, but I could slowly make progress in other areas.  My weights got heavier.  I could do a few more pushups or do a yoga pose that I struggled with before.

To this day I still modify every workout I do.  I still wish I could run.  But I learned that things could always be worse.  I appreciate my body now.  This challenge has totally shifted my mindset about my body.  I am no longer interested in being super skinny and fitting into tiny jeans.  Instead, I want to be strong.  Now, after 16 months of doing the various p90x programs (including x2 & x3), I am stronger than I have ever been in my life!  Even though I am not who I was before, I think I am a better version of myself.  In all areas.

It's not about being a certain size.  It's about being strong, healthy and appreciative of your body.  That was a hard lesson for me to learn, but I am so glad that I did.