Wellness Wednesday: Do You Let Others Define Your Health?

I have a confession to make...although I've shared with you all how my change in diet, removal of chemicals from my life, and extended breastfeeding have gotten me down to the lowest weight of my adult life...I'm still fat.

To illustrate what I mean, let me tell you first what I DON'T mean.

I don't mean that I treat my body badly by overloading it with processed garbage. I don't mean I'm fat because I can't fit into a size 2 or don't have the frame of a 12 year old boy. I certainly don't think I'm fat because I believe the cultural bullshit story that tells us if you don't like your nose, stretchmarks, or cellulite you can and SHOULD have it fixed. Nor do I think I look like a beluga whale in my clothing ( I think I look pretty damn good, most of the time).

Over the last few months I've heard from friends, family members and even perfect strangers, "OMG you are SO skinny." The weird thing is when they say that I think they expect me to blush with confidence, smile and say, "Oh THANK you." As if being skinny is the best compliment you can pay someone.

Here's my issue....my body is lying to the world. On the outside I may fit into what society views as in shape, but the truth is I have the stamina of someone who IS overweight.

Like I said, I try my best to put good things into my body and removed 99% of the chemicals from foods, hair care and skin care products. I do run around after a 2 year old and clean up the never-ending messes of four male humanoids. But ask me to run for more than two minutes or hold myself up in plank position for more than 15 seconds and you'll see how weak I really am.

The point of me sharing this is not to come off as a fraud---creating physical, mental, and spiritual wellness is a top priority for me. But I also recognize that I have to live my life according to MY standards, not by those who don't know me, or even those who love me very much.

As the Daily Love founder Mastin Kipp says, "We are here to live a self-approved life." Only THAT can create true happiness and health.

The trouble is society doesn't support this idea. Instead they pit us against each other (hello tabloid magazines I'm talking to YOU!). They shoot down our confidence with phrases like "She has such a pretty face" or "She would be SO hot if she lost 50lbs".

We've been fed this garbage for so long about how the world views "beauty" that we not only believe it, but we pass it down to the next generation of women, and even men.

Check out this disturbing infographic.

Ladies we need to stop letting other people dictate how we feel about ourselves. If YOU feel like you want to incorporate more exercise into your life to create strong and healthy body, then do it. If YOU feel like you need to change they way you eat food to live your HIGHEST potential, then do it. If you want cosmetic surgery to change the outside, still understanding that what is within is the most beautiful part of yourself, then do it.

You know your body better than anyone else. You know what makes it feel alive and vibrant on the inside, no matter what it looks like on the outside. Don't base your wellness around how others define it. The only approval you need is your own.

Do you let outside pressures dictate how you feel about yourself? Share your thoughts below, I know we all can relate.

Living MY Best life in Granolaville, 

Wellness Wednesday: Put Down the Exercise Excuses. Your Ass Will Thank You.

Last night I ran. I know. Big deal right? Well I should have said, I ran farther than I have EVER run, in at least 10 years...without stopping.

Am I proud? Hellz yea I'm proud.

I don't have a trainer like buff celebrity Jessica Biel (and I don't have Justin Timberlake either, but that's a rant for another day). I don't have extra funds to splurge on fitness classes, although when I do, I hit up this place. As I've said before, I don't even have much enthusiasm for working out.

And running...well let's just say it's my LEAST favorite way to exercise.

You see I have a LONG list of reasons why I USED to say running just isn't for me. Would you like to hear them? I thought you'd never ask ....

1. I hate the way my thighs slap together. As if a tiny elf, with LARGE hands, was sitting on my leg, cheering me on.
2. My butt is so big and jiggles as if in slooooowww mooootion. 
3. I have asthma. No really I do. And it only really flares up to the point where my lungs feel like they are under water AFTER running.
4. I have a bum ankle. I fractured my growth plate in the 7th grade so now if I step out of bed the wrong way it rolls over like an obedient dog.
5. It's boring. I mean really, who wants to do the SAME motion, over and over again for an hour....1/2 hr....okay okay 15 minutes, but its STILL freakin boring.
6. I look funny doing it. (see above picture) I always feel like my form is wrong and I somehow look like a bird getting a running start before taking off.
7. I trip easily when distracted. For reallz! On my first date, with my husband, I tripped over my own feet and awkwardly bumped into the restaurant door, dropping my doggy bag on the ground. That sweet man still married me.
8. I can't sing and run at the same time. I HAVE to have music with a sick beat if I want to get a good jog going. BUT as soon as I try to sing along I lose my breath and need to slow down. (refer to reason  #3)
9. I don't have time. 3 kids, a husband, a loyal group of readers who expect me to post EVERYDAY (I love you all by the way) laundry, cooking, cleaning, wiping up spills, poop, melted ice pops, and leaky juice cups. This crunchy mama is F-IN TIRED. The last thing I want to do before the sun rises or sets is throw on some shorts and bounce up in down. 
10. Those GODDAMN SHORTS! Is it just me, or do they ride higher on one thigh (probably the fatter one) with each step so that you are constantly picking out a wedgie or a camel toe?

As you can see I have extremely valid reasons why running ANYWHERE should be out of the question.

Here's the thing...I have 3 kids, a husband, a loyal group of readers who expect me to post EVERYDAY (again, I love you all) laundry, cooking, cleaning, wiping up spills, poop, melted ice pops, and leaky juice cups. Mama NEEDS a break!

So for the last week or two, whenever the requests like "Mom can I have (fill in the most inconvenient or sugary thing)" have reached my quota for the day, or I've called each of my boys the wrong name 10 times in a row....I run.

I don't run far or fast, but I do it. I lace up my sneakers, pull on those stupid shorts, grab my phone for music, and go.

Here's the funny thing---on last night's run I was able to go farther than I've ever gone. I began with the usual slow jog from my driveway, down my country road. Pumping One Direction's "One Thing" ( my apologies, I have a thing for British boybands), I began my usual pace, anticipating that I would be hacking up a lung before their sweet young voices had finished the song.

The view during my jog

Then something strange happened. The song ended, but I KEPT RUNNING. I couldn't believe it. The next song came on and I was still hustling.

Next came a distraction (refer to #7). I saw my college-aged neighbor and sometimes babysitter taking her daily walk, right towards me. Do I stop and say hi? NO I can't, I'll lose my flow. Thankfully the sweet girl took off her headphones and said, "Oh hey.....No no, don't stop your run."

Sweetness. It's like she read my mind. I chugged along until I had gone about a 1/2 a mile, at which point my body finally realized what the hell it was doing and demanded I walk.

So, I turned around and power walked my proud, and hopefully smaller ass, back toward my house.

I came across these friends on my way back

Half way there I busted out another short sprint and made it back to my door super sweaty and glowing with pride.

I don't hate running so much anymore. I realized it's like a lot of things in life --- it's the small steps that lead to greatness. You can't have a healthy, well toned, strong body in one quick and easy step. It takes time, dedication, and yes, lots of SWEAT, to accomplish anything really important. But you know what, we're worth EVERY minute.

If you do one thing, just one thing each day that takes you out of your comfort zone and moves you towards a happy and healthier life, you'll be grateful you let go of whatever was holding you back from being your best, kick-ass self.

So while I may not have any marathons in my future, I'm glad I got rid of the excuses and pushed through.

Now if I could only put down these damn potato chips....baby steps.

What is the most common excuse you tell yourself when you "can't" do something?

"I was run-ning" (with my best Forrest Gump voice) in Granolaville,