Two and a half years ago, “getting fit”  simply meant loosing weight to look and feel better. Vague and lacking direction were my goals, although earnest.  The thought of kicking and punching and trying something new to “get fit” was exciting.  I enrolled in taekwondo.

Taekwondo was  definitely the impetus I needed!  I experienced a dramatic change in perspective, a shift in goals, not just limited to health and fitness.   I wanted to be stronger, have more endurance, increase agility and flexibility.  Goals became more specific and not tied, simply, to aesthetics.   It makes for way better motivation at the gym, no doubt.

Also, and this may sound “far-out,” but hang with me here-  this entire “journey” has really helped me to accept that MY body can be fit and beautiful,  even if it is not 5″5 and ballerina-ish.  I see beauty in myself when I eat healthy and exercise so that I can push this body to it’s limits- that is beauty.  Beauty is not abusing the body to extremes in order to make it fit society’s ideal.

“Beauty is in purpose.  Your body was designed for a purpose.”  A friend recently pointed this out to me. His words were absolutely spot-on!  Indeed, my body enabled me to bring forth 2 healthy children.  It gives me freedom to walk, climb, run, jump, squat, kick, hug, laugh, punch….well, you get the picture.  When we attempt to completely alter, rather than enhance, the innate design, it is not healthy.  But when we accept ourselves and strive to make the body we have more fit, well, that is health.  That is beautiful.