(Source: glitteronmyway)
This is a picture of me and my two gorgeous best friends. Clearly, we all have very different body types, and you know what? None of us is healthier, prettier or happier than the others because of it.
That’s me on the left. I’m short, super petite, and have about as much muscle mass as a blob of gelatin. Despite being naturally thin, I have always been far from in shape. Not even a month ago, running two minutes at a time was a struggle—now I can run without stopping for more than a half hour.
Felicia, in the center, is probably the most active girl I know. The opposite of me, she’s one of those people that can build muscle just by looking in the direction of a dumbbell. She loves running like I do, and we’ve discussed running a 5k. She’s a big yoga enthusiast and has tried all sorts of different forms that I can’t pronounce, and she’s found free community yoga classes for us to attend together. Also, she has abs of steel, seriously. She’s helping me with my ab workouts. She’s also recently lost over 60 lbs through her active lifestyle and healthy diet.
That’s my friend Maddy on the right. She’s curvy and feminine, but she’s a beast in the gym. Strength training is her thing. She could probably bench press two of me. Not only is she incredibly strong, she’s insanely flexible and an avid pole dancer. We’re taking classes together even though she can spin circles around me on that damn pole, and look gorgeous while she does it.
My friends inspire me so much, and remind me that diversity is lovely. You don’t have to be skinny to be beautiful and confident, nor do you have to look like girls in Nike ads to be strong and fit. You don’t need to weigh a certain number, fit into a certain size, or have a certain appearance to be confident, healthy, or happy. I think that my friends prove that to me.
I’ll never be long and willowy like a supermodel, or well-built like all those fitspo girls. I’ll never look like either of my friends, and they’ll never look like me. And that’s ok, because fitness is about being the best you can be, not comparing yourself to others.
Embrace what you have, and help others embrace what they have. Fitness is funner with friends. Get them involved. Take a class, go for a walk, make a healthy dinner together. You’ll always have support and a fun activity to bond over.this is one of the best things i’ve read on tumblr. Friends come in all different shapes, colors and sizes. May your friendships be everlasting
(Source: fivetwoandyou)
if you ever need support, please don’t hesitate to come on over to me and say hi. i’m always happy to lend advice, or even just a friendly ear.
x.
i second the comment above. i’m always here for you or anyone, for that matter, who’s in need of a fitblr buddy. hugs
(Source: good-fortheheart)
(Source: cravesexxx)
~Dont Be Intimadated By The Weights~
- You Can Lose Fat: As your lean muscle increases so does your resting metabolism, and you burn more calories all day long. Generally speaking, for each pound of muscle you gain, you burn 35 to 50 more calories each day. That can really add up. As your lean muscle increases so does your resting metabolism, and your BURN calories all day long.
- You Will Gain Strength Without Bulk: Women typically don’t gain size from strength training, because compared to men, women have 10 to 30 times less of the hormons that cause muscle hypertrophy. You will, however, develop muscle tone and definition. This is a bonus.
- You Will Improve Your Athletic Performance: Strength training has been shown to improve overall performance as well as decrease the risk of injury.
- You Will Be Physically Stronger: Increasing your strength will make you far less dependent upon others for assistance in daily living.
If your maximum strength is increased, daily tasks and routine exercise will be far less likely to cause injury. Women can develop their strength at the same rate as men.
- You Will Improve your attitude and fight depression: Strength training reduced clinical depression symptoms more successfully than standard counseling did. Women who strength train commonly report feeling more confident and capable as a result of their program, all important factors in fighting depression.
- Size and Age doesnt matter: To start Strength training it does not require for you to already be strong or fit. It is something that all sizes can start and work there way up. Women in their 70’s and 80’s have built up significant strength through weight training and studies show that strength improvements are possible at any age.
Hope this was helpful!!! If you want to learn more about strength training here is a website to get you started! http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/franco7.htm
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(Source: live--love--fitness)
