Everyone started from the bottom...and we all will be saying "now we here"....
...a little motivation from Ms. Amber Kelly
I have dealt with hearing negative connotations ever since I was younger. I started becoming very physically fit once I started gymnastics at 6 years old. Gymnastics requires a lot of strength and incorporates a lot of conditioning and strength training. Therefore, I started developing muscles and I could see my body changing year after year. I developed a very strong core and strong legs, but the biggest change happened with my arms. I always ended up receiving comments, both positive and negative, about how massive my arms were for a female. Between the ages of 9-13, I was very self conscious about my arms. I refused to wear tank tops or any other type of shirt that would show my arms. Other kids would always ask me to show them my muscles or they would say that I could beat up anybody who messed me with me (which was and still is hilarious because I have never been in a fight in my life). Once I entered high school, I started becoming more comfortable with my body. I enjoyed the strength training of every sport I played (gymnastics, track, cross country, basketball, and competitive cheerleading). I became more comfortable with my arms and decided to embrace them more. To this day, I still receive comments about how "masculine" my arms look and that I can come across intimidating, but I also get told that my arms are amazing for a woman. I have received many questions from women inquiring about different exercises they can do for their arms, legs, and core. When women confide in me about what exercises I do for my body, it is very encouraging and makes me feel good about myself.
It has been hard to overcome my self consciousness about my body, especially my arms. However, I have come to love my body, muscles and all. I found inspiration in other women who look like me physically and those aspiring to live a healthy life, Dominique Dawes, Ashley Joi, Angela Bassett, and Jeanette Jenkins to name a few. I encourage other women to find their inspirations as well. Negative connotations can be difficult to handle because they can make you feel insecure and as if something is wrong with you. Nothing is more beautiful, though, than a healthy woman who takes care of her body. In the words of Marianne Willamson, "...Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?" This message has stuck with me for years. If we, as physically fit women, remember that we are all of those things, then we can overcome any negativity because most of the time negative comments from others usually derive from their own insecurities, unhappiness, ignorance, or jealousy. Find your inspirations. Stay dedicated to your goals. Keep a positive mindset. Sí se puede! (Yes we can!)
2014, this is it! This is your year, the only thing holding you back is you!
Love and sweat,
Myah symone
