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| To kick off my 365 days of exercise, my girls and I took a class together from my favorite spin instructor Gabe Rios. |
In 2014 I plan to exercise every day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
I’ve challenged myself to
work out for 365 consecutive days before and each time I failed. But I think
the clean slate of a new year will give me the motivation I need. There’s
something about hanging a new calendar that makes me feel as if I can do
anything.
As I mentioned in my list of resolutions, I’m not
exercising daily in hopes of one day being skinny. In fact, I don’t plan
to weigh myself all year. I’m
exercising daily because I want to be strong.
I’ve written here and for See Jane Write Magazine about
how exercise (specifically my Jillian Michaels obsession) helps me as a writer.
But I believe fitness is a feminist issue too.
As Dr. Caroline Heldman says in her TED Talk, “The Sexy Lie”:
We raise our little boys to view their bodies as tools to master their environments…We raise our little girls to view their bodies as projects to constantly be improved. What if women started to view their bodies as tools to master their environment? As tools to get you from one place to the next? As these amazing vehicles for moving through the world in a new way?
I want to work out every day
because I believe doing so will help me see my body in a new way. I believe daily exercise will help me
begin to see my body not as something that needs to be fixed but as an amazing
vehicle for moving through the world. And I wish the same for you.
It’s time for feminists to reclaim fitness.
I’ll be sharing my workouts on Instagram and Twitter using
the hashtags #feministfitness and #everydayfitness. I hope you’ll join me and share your workouts
too.
WOW, this is great Javacia! Exercising every day is daunting to me because I get on a streak for a few days, skip a day, then let it all go. I'm in awe and can't wait to hear all about your workouts!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, girl!! My jaw dropped when I read that you were going to exercise EVERY DAY. That is hard core and very inspiring. While I'm working and in school I don't feel I have the time to do that, but I am definitely inspired to work out way more than I am currently. And I agree -- I'm not interested in exercising to get skinny, either. Love that quote you shared, that's a beautiful attitude.
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK!!! I'm amazed that you would try and I look forward to this time next year when you have suceeded!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the encouragement, ladies! I sure am going to need it! :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I tell you what, I have been empowered by signing up and doing CrossFit. WOW! I didn't think I would like it and I've been avoided it for YEARS (boss has been trying to talk me into it for years) and I finally have given in. I wish I had listened to him back then because I LOVE IT. So empowering. I definitely feel strong and I'm feeling the rewards.
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent, Carol. Go you!
DeleteThat is such an inspiring way to look at fitness. This time of year you are just barraged with images of achieving the perfect body.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to hear about the progress with your fitness goals too!
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