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You know those people who can get away with eating anything they want? The ones who order Fettucini Alfredo with a side of ooey-gooey-garlic bread while showcasing their designer skinny jeans? Those are not my people… not even close. The women in my family wear heels just so their jeans don’t dust the floor, and every holiday get-together consists of discussions on calorie counting and exercise. We are lovely in many ways, but being tall and thin is not one of them.
Let’s face it, genetics matter. We have all looked in the mirror and seen Daddy’s calves or Momma’s hips. No amount of cardio will change our height. Eating grapefruit for weeks on end will not transform our bone structure. We are the perfect combination of the generations that have come before us.
So, what does this mean when it comes to diet and exercise? Like I tell my kids… you get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit! It may not be fair, but some people have to work a little harder to keep their weight in check. They must be more diligent in their eating habits and exercise means more than a stroll after dinner. It may not be fair, but we do the best with what we have.
The question is have you ever stopped complaining long enough to count your blessings? When we quit fighting to be something we are not, we have the opportunity to be the best at who we are. Maybe you have legs that were made for running, or the flexibility of a dancer. Whatever it is, find your strength! We must take the bodies we have been given and make them the bodies we want. It’s true that you can’t change your genetics, but you can change how your treat your body.
What are your goals? Do you want to run a marathon? Bench your body weight? Learn to twist into a pretzel? You may not grace the cover of a magazine or win the race, but so what! Our definitions of perfection have become skewed. Comparing ourselves to others, whether it is Heidi Klum or the girl next to us on the treadmill, is foolish. I have learned that perfection does not mean being tall and thin; instead it is being strong and healthy. It is the ability to hike the amazing mountains that surround me and lifting my four year old into the air. Genetics do matter, and so do our choices. There are amazing feats your body and mind are capable of achieving no matter what your DNA says. It is our choice to either focus on our weaknesses or our strengths. So where is your focus today?
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