First off, happy 2021, everyone! At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll spare you the typical “2020 was awful” speech and get right to the main event.
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is something along the lines of exercise more, lose weight, stick to a diet, etc. For the past few years, I had always started off the New Year with the intention of exercising more. I started off really strong, working out 3-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. But after about a month or so, like most people, my motivation began to fade, and my goal became nothing more than a numbered bullet-point on a list.
I wanted this year to be different, but I didn’t know
where to begin. Around December 2020, I discovered a woman on Instagram named
Mik Zazon. Her motto is “normalize normal bodies,” and on her Instagram, she
posts photos of herself, emphasizing and embracing what society would consider
flaws. She praises her curves, rolls, cellulite, acne, etc. I am amazed at her
ability to not only be so open about these imperfections but also that she sees
them as beautiful. I wanted to be able to think like that too.
Towards the end of December, I saw on her Instagram story
that she was having a sale on her HIIT 30 workout program (HIIT stands for
high-intensity interval training), so I checked it out. The whole goal of the
program is not to lose weight or tone your muscles or cut all unhealthy foods
out of your diet. Although those things may inevitably happen along the way,
what Mik suggests we focus on is feeling confident and strong in our body. We
should exercise because we want to,
not because we feel like we should or
we have to. She encourages you to
listen to your body, rest when it needs it, eat that cheeseburger and fries,
and not to pressure yourself into having a perfectly regimented and scheduled
exercise routine.
I am shocked at how well this new mindset has worked for
me so far. My schedule can change day-to-day, so it’s always been hard for me
to make a set schedule for working out. Now, I work out when I have time and
when I feel excited to. On the days that I don’t do a full workout, I try to do
something small like dance around in my room for a few songs, do a few squats
or crunches, or go for a walk.
Sure, I’d like to lose a couple of pounds, get some abs,
strengthen my legs, and get a booty, but even more than that, I just want to feel
comfortable in my own skin. When I step into my dream dress on my wedding day
this fall, I want to feel nothing less than a confident, sexy, and beautiful
goddess. Exercising can be a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. Mindset is
everything.
(This is not an ad for Mik Zazon’s HIIT 30 program, but I
highly recommend it. The workouts are fun, challenging, and customizable. Plus,
she has a big Facebook group for those in the program, and the ladies in the
group are so incredibly supportive and lovely.)
