Face it ladies, working out is not the number one thing on everyone’s to do list during the day. However, there are ways that you can learn to be more confident when it comes to working out. I was inspired to do this blog post because of my personal weight loss journey. I started my weight loss journey and felt awful about the way my body looked and was constantly looking at the women around me, thinking, ”I want to look like them” or “My body is never going to look that way. However, one of main reasons why I wanted to lose weight was because I didn’t want my mom pointing out how my stomach stuck out in every shirt that I wore. I know she wasn’t trying to be condemning towards me, but it kind of hurt my feelings. After I shed a few pounds, I was happy because she wasn’t saying it, but at the same time I started gaining some confidence of my own. 

~Jessica Kopena

Here are a few tips about how to gain confidence while trying to get in shape:

• It’s all about your mentality.

 

Jacqueline Harris is a stay at home mom and working out for her has always been a lifestyle. Harris’ dad was a runner growing up and even ran marathons with her and her sister Jen in the racing stroller. This lifestyle growing up helped with her mentality while getting in shape.

 

“You should work out because you want to take care of your body. I’ve seen so many women and men that work out because they hate their bodies or are embarrassed of where they are physically,” she said.

 

To the people who work out because they hate their bodies, it becomes more of a chore. Women should not become a slave to the process and worry about what everyone thinks around them.

 

“Working out cam be so much more freeing and rewarding if you’re doing it for the right reasons,” said Harris.

 

• Compound Effect

 

 

Julie Froelich, preschool tumbling instructor and dance team coach, first got into working out 10 years ago when she was trying to lose weight. She was out of shape and began to get passionate about her health. Working out helped her to keep her mind off of the food addiction that she had and helped her to relive stress. As she began playing other sports, she continued running to stay in shape and ran her first half marathon in 2009. Since she ran her race, she hasn’t done many races but she does her best to run three times a week or more, dance, light weight training and body weight training on alternating days. This journey is how she has come up with the “Compound Effect.”

 

The “Compound Effect” is being proud of yourself for every little bit of progress that you make.

 

“This means if I only run one mile instead of two, it’s better than nothing! Or if I do 10 sit-ups instead of 50, it’s still 10 sit ups that I accomplished. That helps me to not give up on myself,” said Julie Froelich.

 

• Don’t compare yourself to other women.

 

Lydia Bibb, teacher at Pleasant Ridge Elementary, started getting in shape because of sports, which she played in high school and college. Since she is not involved I organized sports anymore, she wanted to make sure she didn’t gain any unwanted weight. While she has been working out, she has made sure to not compare herself to other women.

This is a basic one but it truly helps in the process of getting in shape. Create the goals that are the best for you. According to Lydia Bibb, take measurements or get a starting weight and make weight loss goals that are realistic for your body.

 

“My goal isn’t a certain weight or to look a certain way but to just stay active,” said Bibb.

 

• Think about the satisfaction when it’s done

 

“After a good workout, it’s like I’m on a mini high. I have more energy, I feel good about myself for having pushed through something challenging,” said Harris. “I feel like I sweat out toxins and stress that was built up in my body.”

 

Froelich also likes the feel when endorphins are released from your body when you put in extra work. It’s about pushing your limits and seeing how far you go, she said.