The dreaded F word
I’ve never hidden the fact that I never want Isabelle to follow in my footsteps and get involved in the bodybuilding world, whether it be as a bikini, figure or physique competitor.
In Issy’s world no one is the dreaded “F” word she didn’t even have a concept of the word fat until she saw snippets of the Biggest Loser Australia that her Dad was watching last night.
James audibly gasped at one of the contestants as they stood on the scale and when Issy queried why he was making that noise I heard him explain to her that the person on the TV was 3 of your Mummy.
This morning when she came into my work she told me about the big person she saw on the TV and matter of factly said to me and that is what happens when you eat too much junk food and don’t do any exercise. She then continued, I’m glad I do lot’s of exercise because I like junk food. (It must be genetic)
When talking with our kids James and I use terms such as healthy, strong, fit and fast. We very rarely use the “F” word in our house. Well I use the F word ending in K quite often, but not the “F” word that describes the after effect on the body after eating too much dessert for too long. 😉
James and I have always stressed to the kids how amazing they are when they climb, run or jump and how being strong is super cool (and super useful) and these ideals are being constantly reinforced by their schools and most recently for Issy the crossfit juniors program she is attending during her school holidays.
I on the other hand spent years training to look good in a bikini and at certain times of the year I looked O for Awesome but my body was akin to a designer pair of shoes. Good looking but not very functional to walk around in on a daily basis.
It’s taken me a HECK of a long time but I’m finally at the point where I’m not constantly preoccupied with how I look and the underlying reason for that is because I’ve become more excited about what my body can do.
Socrates said “It’s a shame for a woman to grow old without ever seeing the strength and beauty of which her body is capable”.
Thankfully I’m finally beginning to see it.
Till next time
