Summer is basically in full swing. Here in the PNW that means sunny and 75 most days, and anything over 80 is a heat wave! My gym is already getting a little warmer too. Sports bra only it is!

I once worked at a gym (that shall remain nameless.) Let me describe it for you. It was a female only facility. Everything was catered to women. From the spa like rolled towels to the complimentary toiletries, the spin classes, and the sauna. It was a lovely, warm and inviting place for women to sweat, make ugly faces, grunt and get stronger without judgement. It was not the type of place you felt like you had to wear makeup to attend a class, or be wearing the latest fitness trends.

Several years into my time there, a new kind of female athlete emerged. Women were telling us they wanted less barre and pilates (no shade, just sayin), and more weightlifting, barbells, and to get their first pull up! They wanted to be able to climb a rope, flip a tire, run with their kids and grandkids. We started a barbell club.

Pump Cover Predicament

Classes packed. Membership peaked, and women were working harder than ever and loving it. Some finally seeing results for the first time after years of just going through the motions. It didn’t matter the age, the size, or the shape. Everyone sweat.

One of my favorite days was looking over at a girl in the class, and seeing her internal struggle. Wiping the sweat from her forehead with her already sweat soaked shirt. And that was it. In one swift motion, the shirt peeled off and she stood in a power pose, hands on her hips in leggings and a sports bra. You would think she had won the olympics. Then the smile across her face had more to do with summoning the courage to say “It’s hot, I’m working hard, and no one cares what my body looks like but me” than the impressive weights she had been lifting.

It seems pretty simple, right? You’re hot ? You’re sweaty? Ditch the pump cover. Right?

Project much?

You cannot imagine my horror when the next day, a rule posted in the all female facility.

“Working out in a sports bra is now prohibited.”

I’ll say it again, this is an all female facility. I asked, why the rule? Apparently, by this young woman removing her sweaty shirt she caused other women to feel badly about their own bodies.

I hesitate to even dignify the argument, but this member is an average woman in her 30’s. No six pack, average body fat. This isn’t standing next to Heidi Klum in a bikini.

This is not a modesty issue.

This is an insecurity issue. And we punished the member who finally felt brave enough to step into confidence and realize what actually mattered more than how her body looked was how it felt.

The message is now don’t feel too good about yourself, or it might make other people uncomfortable. They might be forced to face their own insecurities about their post baby bodies (A struggle I had pre and post babies honestly), they might be forced to stop blaming other people for their food choices, and take responsibility. They might be “uncomfortable.”

Insecurity is uncomfortable.

Practicing What I Preach

Just like when I wanted to get my first pull up, I did a lot of pullups. When I want to improve my squat, I squat. A lot.

It has taken me years to learn that no amount of working out in a sweaty soaked oversized shirt (or anything that I am hiding behind ) is worth being uncomfortable. I would rather learn to be comfortable in my skin, and learn to lift in what I want.

It is a learned skill. If you do not feel comfortable in your skin now, then no amount of fat loss, muscle gain, or recomp will be the thing that makes you feel like you are worthy enough to lift in what you want.

I have been 125 lb and thought I was fat. I am 160 and feel great, work out in shorts, bras, sweats, hats, – whatever I want. But it’s my choice.

I legit practice wearing what I want in my garage when I lift, when I am doing yoga or stretching in my living room, and when I am at the gym. I used to time it so there would be less people there 🤦🏻‍♀️.

It’s a practice. It doesn’t just magically happen because a number appeared on the scale.

Wanna Practice with me?

Part of showing Moxie, is showing a little tenacity, or persistence.

For the next 8 week I am running a challenge as you know from your last email.

I encourage you to join me, for any part of it.

This points based challenge will give you points for daily and weekly activities.

Daily Tasks: 1 pt each

🥩 1 gram of protein per bodyweight (or lean body weight)

💦 100 oz of water

🚶🏻‍♀️ 10K steps

✍🏻 Journal, meditate or pray for 5 min.

Weekly Tasks: 2 Pts each

3, 30 minute workouts (2 pts per weightlifting workout, 1 for other)

Post a sweaty, no shirt (sports bra please) selfie and tag me (2 pt, max 3 per week)

Where will you be 8 weeks from today?

We will be heading back into fall, school routines, and cozy weather. But we can still make a dent in 8 weeks. You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do it everyday. I encourage you to consider if you can accomplish any of these tasks during your days. You are capable of doing something, even if it’s just 1 task.

Because it is a point based system, simply track them each week and let me know how you are doing (honor system people.)

You could also be the recipient of some awesome loot from me! My favorite post workout supplements, and gift cards to 1st Phorm and Lululemon, and one special gift for the winner if they beat my points! I’ll be doing this will you guys. Cheering you on the whole way.

Wanna join? There’s still time!

Join by clicking here.

See you there friends!

xoxo,

Liz