You know how other moms will look me up and down and ask, “Are you a runner?” My usual response is, “Well, I run sometimes.” But let’s be real: that answer never satisfies them, especially when they see my toned arms. Thank you, genetics!
For a while, I jumped on the latest fitness trends—kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, Zumba—you name it! I thought I had to join the cool kids at CrossFit to get those “Today at the gym…” intros. I’ve even felt guilty for skipping hot yoga, wondering if I should try the Barre method.
But then reality hits me. Hot yoga? No thanks! I feel like a sardine in heat. Is there such a thing as cold yoga? Asking for a friend. And that Barre method, which I think involves ballet bars, is not for me either. My only experience with ballet was a disaster back in sixth grade. Dancing? Yeah, not my forte. Yoga is fine, but I doubt I’ll ever establish a routine. Still, I feel a bit self-conscious when people fixate on my workout choices.
“Do you compete in triathlons?” they ask. Nope. “Were you a competitive swimmer?” Another no.
I want to shout, “I don’t do anything specialized! I just like to move and, you know, work up a sweat.” Their puzzled looks make me stammer, because the only verb that truly fits is “Jenna-ing.” That’s right; I’m Jenna-ing all day long! I skip down hallways when no one’s watching, balance on curbs, and park my car a mile away just for the extra steps (or skips). I enjoy moving—not for competition, but for that delightful feeling of being a little out of breath.
When did fitness morph into another topic for comparison, like childbirth or intimate escapades? Haven’t we figured out by now that what works for one person isn’t guaranteed to work for another?
There will never be a bumper sticker for my kind of workouts—honestly, I’m not even a fan of bumper stickers. What I really care about is feeling good, and I wish that for everyone else too. Can’t we just celebrate whatever we do that makes us feel good and high-five each other for it?
This article was originally published on July 7, 2015.
For more on this topic, check out this post on home insemination. And if you’re looking for expert info, Kindbody’s blog is a great resource for pregnancy and home insemination. You can also find a reliable artificial insemination kit to support your journey.
In summary, fitness is personal. It’s not about numbers or comparisons, but about how we feel and move in our own unique ways. So let’s embrace our individual journeys and cheer each other on!