The Perfect Body

Many people begin their fitness journey searching for the “perfect” body.

 

What is perfect? Having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics.The problem with this is that each person has an individualized idea of perfect.

 

In the past, I have shown up to races and envied the girls with the “perfect” bodies.  They are tall, thin, and move with a certain grace about them.  It seems like they are the ones with the nicest shoes and the most coveted workout apparel.  We stand together at the starting line, and for a moment, I wish that were me.

 

At the finish line I realize, that looks can be deceiving. I have crossed the finish line before them. Me, 5’2”, 120 lbs, snarled hair, wearing my raggedy lucky sports bra that smells like mud no matter how many times I wash it, with the shoes that are tearing at the seams between the sole and the toe, because we have been through too much to just throw them away. Suddenly, I am not envious, I am proud.

 

My legs will never be long or lanky. They are covered in scars, which remind me of good times gone slightly awry, and accomplishment that cannot be taken away. Despite running daily, my thighs still touch. Sometimes I have bags under my eyes from getting up early to get in a workout. My feet often have blisters in some stage of repair. When I have 10 toenails, it’s a rarity. One of my toes are broken, and at this point, so what.

 

The perfect body for me has become the body I built. The one that can withstand miles of running, one that can navigate obstacles, one that can work hard and never gives up, one that  is willing to withstand pain, and endure punishment, because that is what I have trained it to do. Throughout this journey of building MY perfect body, there have been sacrifices. Just as important, I had to give up the image of perfection that I once had.

 

I used to love to shop for clothes. It is now more of a chore than a hobby. Clothes don’t fit like they used to. My body has transformed to a shape that stores don’t typically cater to.

 

It is hard to shop for a bathing suit when your figure is more like that of a 12 year old boy, than a Victoria secret model. There were moments I wanted to cry, and days that I gave up. After about 15 stores and 50+ try-ons, I found a suit that I feel flatters the assets I do have. 

 

Earlier this year, I went to the Buckle and was willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money for one pair of jeans that fit like a glove. The sales associate called me “tiny and petite”. What she didn’t know is that most jeans won’t fit over my calves, and if they fit around the waist, they don’t leave room for my butt. At one point, I “walked” out of the dressing room (more like limped, so I wouldn’t split the seams) in a pair and she laughed out loud and in frustration, so did I. After about 20 pairs I was labeled as “hard to fit” and left empty-handed.

 

This weekend I bought my first pair of jeans in at least a year. They were on clearance at Macy’s for $12 which makes me think they must have been faulty by design and that’s why they were on sale, and maybe that is why they fit. I was so excited; I have been tempted to post a backside selfie to show them off! Despite the difficulty in finding figure flattering clothing, I wouldn't change a thing about my body. 

 

Why do I share this story of my “perfect” body? I think it is important to know that the perfect body is the body that works for you. It is the body you were born with. It doesn’t have to be flawless or easy to clothe. The perfect body is the one that gets you though the day and lives up to the demand of what you have trained it to do. Your expectations of your body should be fair. You can only expect to get out of your body what you are willing to put in.