Brandelyn: Lyrical Contradiction

1.      Skinny people ARE evil! As long as I keep in mind that people who have never had to deal with a weight issue, and by weight issue I mean something more than four or five vanity pounds, have absolutely no idea what it is like to be a big girl. Therefore it is okay for me to roll in there with my oversized t-shirt and sweatpants and feel like I have just as much right to be there as any of the beautiful people who frequent my gym. The looks and prolonged stares need to be my motivation to keep it moving.  And while yes I do struggle with using the little skinny people machines in the gym, I have to give myself credit for even being in there and trying to make a change. They say getting to the gym is the hardest part, I disagree! I can always make it to the gym just fine, its all the working out once I get there that’s the problem. But I’m there. I’m sweating, I’m complaining, I’m hurting and having to be carried away by an ambulance after every session, but I’m there! Take that take that, bad boy baby…So all of those sympathetic looks and cocky smiles after you just finished running for 45 minutes, in your little shorts and bras, do not phase me. You do you, and I’ll do me and we will just keep it at that!

2.      Pacing yourself.  Now listen, I used to be an athlete back in the day. Back in the day. I haven’t picked up a volleyball or any type of athletic equipment in about 9 years, so I had to get over the mind set that I used to be an athlete. Those days are far behind me. And I’m getting older, so I can’t be partying like I used to! All things I need to keep in mind. I am slowly learning my limitations, and learning ways to psyche myself out and challenge myself without killing myself. Although I have the spirit of a young volleyball star (AKA “Shotgun” for those in the know about my ridiculous serve), I have the body of an overweight, out of shape almost 27 year old. So, I have to adapt my life to accommodate that fact. And there is nothing wrong with that. I still leave the gym dog tired and starving, but at least I know that I got a good work out!

3.      Reading is fundamental! Lord have mercy! My workout yesterday started out with a nice 45 minutes on the treadmill. Um…the spirit was telling me that the treadmill was the devil!!! But while it is painfully hard to do anything that demanding for that long, I have learned to fill my mind with mindless reading material that does not cause me to get stressed out or concerned about anything. My favorite right now is Cosmo. Any magazine that interviews female soldiers in Iraq asking them for their favorite beauty tips during combat and ways of getting around the military’s rules for getting it on is fine reading material while I sweat away on the treadmill.

4.      Endorphins are the BUSINESS!!!  Man, that feeling when your body gives up any hope that you are going to just stop all of this torment and just go back to its regular routine of laying on the couch and eating ice cream is awesome. Some people call them endorphins, I call it acceptance. Your body accepts the fact that you are actually crazy and are not going to stop all of this moving and sweating, so rather than continuing to be in pain, it simply lets go and you start to feel good. The body is not really into pain. Its not really into all of that hurting and stretching and bending stuff, it just wants to feel good. So if YOU are not going to facilitate that feeling good, then the body will take over for you…it is a great feeling and it is always something I strive to reach in my workout…everyone needs goals!

5.      Eating is ACTUALLY good for you!! I know that as a big girl, I have always thought that the less I eat the more like I am to lose weight! Well, let me just tell you that that is a lie from the pit of hell!!  I actually eat a lot less, a lot more often, if that makes sense. Instead of only eating once a day, which honestly is the norm for me, I eat little things all during the day. And breakfast?! Man!! I’m all about breakfast now. Smoothies from Jamba Juice and the little oat bran muffin thing! A great way to start the day off right!!! So don’t be afraid of food! Food is not the enemy!!! Eat on!!! Starvation = weight gain! Remember that!!

So in conclusion, the gym is not such a bad place to be. If you can find your own way of ignoring everything around you, then anyone can go to the gym and have a good time. Project get my life together continues…

This is Brandelyn Nicole Castine, signing off…