Transformation From the Inside Out

Recently I decided to participate in a transformation challenge. So here I am 4 days in to shredding season. Although the focus of this is physical transformation, over the last 4 days I have experienced much more change on the inside than outside and I can’t wait to see what the next 108 days hold. The decision to become the best version of me possible, has invoked questions about what that looks like. And not only for me. I started looking at others through a different set of lenses as well. Compassion.

Let me preface by saying, I wasn’t a total asshole prior to beginning this challenge, I just always viewed diet and lifestyle strictly as a choice to be made. Black and white. Not only did I have incredibly high expectations of myself, but I held others to the same standards. However, yesterday afternoon as I watched my neighbor getting home from work, I let go of my expectations and allowed myself to actual see him. I felt as though he (and I) deserved some understanding and gentleness rather then the harsh expectations I held.

I’ve seen him pull into his driveway before, but had never given it a second look much less a thought. He is an older gentleman, possibly mid- late 60s and getting out of his car was a struggle. After he parked in the driveway, I watched the driver’s side door swing completely open. He used his arm to help him pull his left leg out the door, then his right. A few moments later, with both feet planted on the concrete drive, he shifted himself to the edge of the seat. Using the steering wheel and door frame to brace himself, he maneuvered his body out of the seat to a standing position. Once out of the car he looked exhausted. He did a few menial tasks in the front yard before he headed toward his front door, briefcase in hand.

As I watched I was consumed with compassion for this man. Even basic human movement looked to be difficult. Walking, bending down, moving the trash cans, every move required thought and preparation. I have no idea what his health, diet or lifestyle looks like, but based on his weight and mobility I would guess he falls under the “typical American” standard. I began to ask questions about this person and wonder about his idea of the best version of himself. I wondered what his life was like when he was younger and what happened over the course of his life that lead him to this point. Has he always struggled with weight? How does he feel? Is he happy? Does he realize that movement can be easier? Is he trying to correct his course? Does he feel like its too late for him? Has he ever achieved what he would consider “the best version” of himself?

In that moment I not only felt compassion for this man, but also an immense amount of gratitude for my own life. I’ve felt defeated on my own journey of health and fitness before. I know the strength required, both mentally and physically, to make changes to your lifestyle, but I also see the importance of overcoming the challenges and defeat. All in the name of caring for your body so that it can continue to serve you in its full capacity. I felt extremely grateful for the support in my life and my own mental fortitude to get me where I am today. I am grateful for what I have learned about nutrition and fitness in my early thirties and I look forward, not only to the next 16 weeks of my transformation challenge, but also to the future when I can put my knowledge to good use. Not only to help myself, but also to help others.

My neighbor, though he doesn’t know it, helped me feel compassion for those on a journey much more challenging than my own. I thought about my very own parents and their health. My husband, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, in-laws, cousins. I thought about how thankful I am to know the possibilities available when you give your body what it needs and deserves. If all the world knew what I know, which is really just the tip of the nutrition and fitness knowledge iceberg, how much happier and healthier would the world be? Would it help people to find and live as the best version of themselves?

This 16 week challenge has sparked so much more in me than just getting shredded, though I will relish in that accomplishment when this 112 days comes to a close, it has helped me see that the information I have is valuable and that people all around me deserve to know it. I am happy to be able to move forward with compassion for myself and others over the course of this challenge and in life and have a whole new level of gratitude for those who have helped me and those I may help along the way. I still haven’t decided what the best version of myself looks like just yet, but I figure even if I did, I wouldn’t want to remain that same version forever. In the end if compassion and gratitude is what I take away from the next 16 weeks, I will consider this transformation a success. But I won’t be sad if I also have 2 more abs.

We all deserve to find, experience and live as the best version of our selves. So what’s holding you back?