When I first entered a fitness center, contemplating a new me because I was unhappy with the current one, I tried to make new friends. After an exhausting boot camp class I casually asked a buff, energetic woman how long she had been coming there. I don't really remember her response. I remember her showing me her picture. I remember that look of disgust on her face and her tone of voice as she pulled her picture from the wall and handed it to me. I wasn't impressed. I was sad for her. Yes, she was overweight when she started and yes, she looked fit and healthy when I was talking to her, but the way she viewed her before picture left me with a feeling I'll never forget.
I wanted to take that fat lady out of the picture and just hug her. I wasn't so sure about the real life after picture that stood in front of me. She was intense, angry and a little scary. It was at this time I contemplated the value of before and after pictures. If we are that disgusted with our fat selves, do we transfer that disgust on to others?
Here is my belief on the value of before and after pictures: They are great for comparing your progress and showing muscle definition but never stop loving yourself. Love your fat self, your skinny self, your sick self, your healthy self, your strong self, your sad self, your happy self, your silly self. Our bodies are only communication devices. When we are healthy and strong we can communicate at a higher level. When we are happy and loving we communicate at our highest level. It's easier to be happy and loving when we are healthy and strong. Also, being strong is fun!
So, yes! Get healthy, get strong, go out and spread that love and happiness to everyone around you but remember to love that person from your past. It's because of them you are who you are today. <3
