The Weight of Expectations
As someone who promotes health and fitness, I always tell women to stop obsessing over the scale and focus on how their clothes fit. Well, now I find myself in that exact same boat, and let me tell you, it’s tough.
After my third pregnancy, I gained almost 20 kilograms, even though I swore I’d do things differently this time. It didn’t happen the way I planned, and the weight gain crept up on me. Now, I’m in the middle of the journey to regain my fitness, and it feels like progress is crawling at a snail’s pace.
Frustration with Fitness Goals
I can’t do a pull-up, and I’m not lifting anywhere near what I could before. It’s frustrating—so frustrating.
We’re so impatient, aren’t we? Always looking for quick fixes or expecting results overnight. But the truth is, sometimes we need to just be where we are, trust the process, and give ourselves grace. Easier said than done, right?
The Trap of “When I Get There” Thinking
This past weekend, we had lunch with friends, and the conversation turned to goals. When asked about mine, I said, “I just want to drop my body weight back down to 51 kilograms—then I’ll be happy.”
But will I?
Even when I’ve been 51 kilograms before, I wanted to lose another three kilograms to fit into my weightlifting category. And when I was 49 kilograms, I still hated the way my arms looked—too muscular, too much like a man’s, I thought.
But now, with flabby arms, I find myself wishing for those toned, tight muscles I used to critique so harshly.
Are We Ever Truly Happy?
It makes me wonder: are we ever truly happy with how we look?
Especially as women, it seems like there’s always something to fix, something we’d change. I don’t know if men think like we do, but for women, body image is such a tangled web of expectations and self-criticism.
Choosing to Celebrate Progress
For now, I’m choosing to celebrate small victories. I may not be able to do a pull-up yet, but I’m fitting into my old jeans again. Progress is progress, no matter how slow.
And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to stop chasing perfection and start appreciating the journey.
Let’s Be Kinder to Ourselves
Let’s be kinder to ourselves, shall we?
If you’re struggling with the same thing, hit me up—I’d love to help.
Coach Angie
