Active-wear on my mind

The year before my wedding, I trained for and ran a half-marathon. I had never run more than half a mile before, so it was a huge physical and mental accomplishment. I was in the best shape of my life, and I felt so great about my health. But just a week after my wedding, my physical health changed rapidly when my herniated disc in my lower back ruptured, compressing my nerve cavity on my right lower body for almost two months before I had surgery to repair it. Following surgery, I was intimidated and afraid to work out the way I had before, so I mostly avoided it altogether, until one of my best friends agreed to go with me to try Orangetheory. And I was hooked- I loved that they accommodated my physical needs, but also pushed me. I was in such a good place with my workout routine, both physically and mentally.

When we first started working from home mid-March, Chris had the genius idea of purchasing a Peloton bike, before the real wait-list even began. Not only was I devastated that I wouldn’t be able to work out in a group setting anymore, but I also hated spin classes. My best friend in high school told me I couldn’t say I hated anything until I tried it three times, so I did just that. And I still hated it. All that to say, I assumed that Chris would use the bike, and I would be watching from the sidelines.

I used that bike every day for three months, April, May and June. And I loved it. I was just as surprised, but it was so engaging, and I just loved the emotional release it gave me every day before I sat down and sat at a desk all day- the complete opposite from my pre-WFH lifestyle.

But when summer hit and I moved down to the shore, I let exercise slip out of my routine. I was throwing in some workouts here or there, but I pretty much decided I was okay with not working out. I had headaches almost daily, emotionally I wasn’t doing well, and I couldn’t figure out why either one was happening. It certainly isn’t the only reason, but I think not exercising was a huge reason I felt so far from myself.

So I recommitted to getting back into an exercise routine. And it has really helped. Incorporating morning walks on the beach has helped to buffer my anxiety because the beach is mostly empty then, and I really just have time to kind of sift through my emotions. I didn’t realize how much I needed that.

One of the ways I stay motivated to workout is new active wear. I really love active wear because it is comfortable, but I also feel super confident when I wear it. I am not sure what is, but it just makes me feel comfortable in my body.

Nicolette Mason was talking on stories about how she loves active wear content because it is one of the few spaces where we see diversity of bodies represented, and that really resonated with me. I totally agree that a lot of the bloggers with bodies that look like mine share a lot of content in active wear, which is one of the reasons I was initially drawn to them. They actually showed their bodies in form-fitting clothes with confidence. In fact, one of my favorite follows just created her own size inclusive active wear line, and I am here for it.

I think that there is also such a misconception about plus-size or curvy models that their bodies aren’t “thin” or “skinny” because they are unhealthy, or that they do not exercise. And that is so far from the truth. Even if everyone worked out and ate the same, bodies would still look different. I trained for a half marathon, while eating paleo, and my body never looked incredibly different. Maybe a bit more muscular, but never different. And I need to learn to love all of the versions of me- the soft, the muscular, the whatever. But seeing people of all shapes and sizes wearing active wear and disproving those stereotypes also feels that much more positive and celebratory. It really makes me feel great about my own body, and makes me feel like I’m not alone in feeling good in active wear.

Working out for me is something that I enjoy- I always feel better after I do it, it prevents some of the chronic headaches and back pain I deal with, and ultimately, it just improves my mood. So if it also means that my self-esteem improves, then I’m going to keep my mind on active wear, where it is right now.

In that positive spirit (and who couldn’t use more positive energy these days?), here are a couple of picks for active wear that I have and love, or are currently on my own active wear wish list. And if you’re wondering where the shirts are, the truth is, I rarely wear a shirt when I work out. Layers make me a bit…sweaty, and it’s an extra fashion choice I never want to make. Plus, who wants to cover up that gorgeous body?