fitnessandsoul:

Beauty

(Source: watchhisjawdrop)

I think tumblr has the potential to be a fantastic support network and community group for the fitness-healthy living world. However, it’s very easy to cross the line into something that could do more harm than good. I’ve been wanting to do a post like this for a while, but it’s taken me a bit of time to gather my ideas (and gain enough confidence to write it).
So, here they are: When I’m scrolling through my dashboard, deciding what to post or reblog, these are the principles I am trying to stick to:

No Negativity
Under no circumstances will I ever reblog ANYTHING that puts a negative spin on fitness or weight loss. This should go without saying. Negative reinforcement doesn’t work, and I would say that is the main factor in disordered eating and exercise habits.

No Numbers
This is a personal preference, but I don’t use scales. I think it’s way too easy to focus on (read: become obsessed with) how many pounds you weigh instead of how you look or feel. Body composition can change drastically while your weight stays relatively constant. This goes for calorie-counting too: It’s way too easy to become obsessed. As such, I try not to post/reblog anything that focuses on pounds, goal weights, starting weights, calorie counting, et cetera.

Bodies
try to only post pictures of bodies in motion. I’m not going to reblog photos of girls with fantastic bodies just standing in front of their mirror flexing, because that’s not the message I want to send. I think we should be striving to PERFORM, not only striving to look good (Although that is a sweet benefit). I’m not sure I will ever have 6-pack abs, I don’t think that’s a realistic goal for me. I will be disappointed with myself and my body. But running a marathon? Feasible. Mastering a cool yoga position? Definitely. Lifting heavy weights? For sure. I try to only post pictures of fit people DOING things, not just standing there. Because what’s the point in that?

No Bullshit
There is so much dietary bullshit that goes on around this website. Don’t believe everything you read, do your own research. It’s very rare that foods or food groups are inherently bad for you. Gluten-free, for example: Absolutely necessary for people with Celiac Disease. No real benefits for everyone else. Dietetics is a science, not something that changes with what is trendy. Eat a well-balanced healthy diet, with junk foods in moderation and you will be absolutely fine.

Original Forms of Exercise
This is my favourite one. So, maybe you all love the gym, and could spend 6 days a week working out there, pounding that treadmill, pumping that iron. I don’t love the gym, it’s just okay. Kind of boring. So as much as possible I try to post pictures of people doing really cool things to stay in shape. Hiking, trail-running, rock climbing, skiing, parkour, cycling… the list can go on and on (This may also be fuelled by my love for all things outdoors).

There you go! It’s quite long, but these are all things that are important to me and things that are constantly on my mind when posting to a fitspo blog.
Cheers!
Michelle

Just got back from the climbing gym; I climbed two new 5.8’s with relative ease! I was so surprised, so far I’ve only sent 5.8s if I fall at least 3 times on the way up. I think the bouldering practice really helped. Aaahh I’m just so pleased! Plus this morning I went to the regular gym and did 30 min of intervals and 20 min abs/ legs circuit, so I’ve been very active!

Now to ruin this high by studying for my midterm….
Don’t even care!

Life just got too busy to maintain this blog for a while there with work, university, job applications, et cetera.

I’ve still been working out and eating well, I’m kind of excited that the snow is melting so that I can run and bike outdoors, finally (I say “kind of” because my passion is alpine skiing, and I don’t want that season to end).

My most recent fitness venture has been taking up rock climbing! I joined an indoor rock climbing gym in January, got my belay certification and have been going once or twice a week ever since. It’s a GREAT exercise and its so fun and challenging that I don’t even think about it as work. I love seeing improvements in my top-rope climbing, and I love the short bursts of exertion and brute strength required for bouldering (or “bloc”, as we call it in Quebec). My arms, back, and core have gotten so much stronger.

I recently made a new friend, a fellow ski instructor, who works as a personal trainer, has a nutrition certification and trains in crossfit. We talk a lot about working out, exercise, nutrition and the importance of public education in doing all these things in a balanced way. That’s what has inspired me to get back on tumbr and keep up advocating a healthy lifestyle on this blog.

Sorry-not-sorry for the novel!

Cheers,

Miche.