Status

On Lifting and Body Confidence

kettlebells

When I discovered Powerlifting, I started following a bunch of women powerlifters on Instagram (I’ll link to them at the end of the post).  I also discovered two groups dedicated to supporting women in the sport, Girls Who Power Lift and GRRRL.  Both are amazing groups and are all about lifting women up and being positive in all aspects of your life.  Being proud of who you are and what you can do.

One side affect to lifting and surrounding yourself with people who are supportive is that you also become more positive and confident.  About yourself, life, and your body.

Lifting is a very empowering thing, especially for women.  Knowing that, yes you can pick up that heavy thing off the floor with no problem is a freeing feeling.

This was something that I really didn’t give much thought to until lately.  I have found myself being more confident in myself, my body, and my personality.

Body confidence is one of my biggest improvements.  Am I where I need to be weight-wise? Nope, not even close. I’m still a work in progress and have a long way to go.  However, lifting has given me a confidence that running never did. Sure I gained confidence with running, once I lost 60lbs and didn’t have to worry about jeans being tight. But not until that point and even then, I was not fully confident in myself.

With lifting, I’m confident now, even though I still have a ways to go in my journey.  I might still be Chubby Andrea but Chubby Andrea can pick up 100+ lbs off the floor without blinking an eye.  And she can do a lot of things now that she has never done before or been able to do.

I wore a tank top to workout the other day.  I’ve never done this. Ever.  Even after losing 60lbs and running in the midwest summer heat, my most revealing shirt was a sleeveless tee-shirt.  I never ran in a tank or worked out in a tank.  Too self-conscious.

Now? Now I don’t give a fuck.  It’s hot, the gym is hot, screw it, I’m wearing a tank.  The best part, when I was working out, that’s all I was focused on.  I wasn’t worried about the tank top, or my arms, or my belly. My workout and getting through it had my complete focus.

I’m sure that part of it also stems from getting older and not really giving a shit about how others view me.  But lifting and doing Crossfit have ignited that confidence.  I’m happy with where I’m at and that is a freeing and awesome feeling.

Fabulous accounts to follow on Instagram:

Girls Who Power Lift

GRRRL

Spunky Canuk

Confidence1091

 

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