The full title is: "The Fit Mom Project, A 465-Day Guide to Overcoming Thigh-Gap Obsessions and the Embarrassment of Peeing Your Pants When Jumping Rope."
I certainly identified with some of the author's feelings about her body, and how people can be so focused on imperfections in their body that they miss "being in the moment". I thought one really poignant example of this was when HRM talked about being focused on the fat rolls in her stomach while she was nursing her child. I could so relate to that. I grew up with a father who was incredibly focused on the aesthetic appeal of people. Most often he commented on people's weights, but he also liked to point out other "imperfections" as well. If these "imperfections" were noticed in his family members, his advice was always to "fix the problem" through plastic surgery or other means, depending on the "problem". I used to think that his lifelong observations didn't affect me, other than my annoyance of them, but I now know that isn't actually true. I, also, can be super focused on my weight - to the point of not enjoying myself if I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror while out, and the glimpse is an unflattering one. I then think about my clothing choice for the day rather than enjoy what I'm doing. Why?? Who cares?? Obviously, I care - and I hate that I do.
I could not identify with HRM's motivation for Cross-Fit however!! I can say with 100% certainty that I would never get up every morning - or every other morning - or even once a week to attend a 5:30am workout!! I absolutely admired her determination though. I was a bit discouraged (as she was) that she didn't lose weight faster, as hard as she was working at it. That goes to show you that the food and drinks you put in your body does indeed make a difference, whether you exercise faithfully or not. I felt her pain with that though too. We only have one life to live, and as much I want to be thinner and lead a healthy lifestyle, I don't want to sacrifice my favorite foods and drinks. I love to eat out and that usually includes at least one alcoholic beverage, if not more. I also like to "wine down" at night by having a glass of wine before bed.
How awesome for HRM that her persistence paid off and she did eventually lose weight and drop down a few sizes in her clothes. But what I liked even better is her coming to the conclusion that we have to feel good about ourselves as women and that we are not all going to look like the No Excuse Fit Mom, no matter how much we exercise. On top of that comes the acknowledgement that many of us don't want to! Yes, I want to be healthy, but I have no desire to post a picture of myself on facebook wearing a bikini with my four children! ;) Most importantly, HRM decided that "[i]t's about choice and honoring accomplishments; it is about supporting other women in their choices and pursuits." One of the reasons that the Kardashians drive me crazy is that they feel the need to share their naked/partially naked bodies on social media constantly! They completely objectify women. Heaven forbid if someone posts a picture of themselves baring a breast/partial breast to feed their child though. What a warped world we live in. :(
HRM comes to the conclusion that "[m]y fitness as a mother is defined by working to be the best version of myself that I can be." Amen to that!
Wendy's Rating: ****
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