::The two most important days of your life are the day you are born, and the reason you find out why::
Hello Everyone-
Happy
Saturday to you!! I hope that you are all doing well. I wanted to
thank you for your support and encouragement. It means a lot to me that
you read my blog, and take an interest in my passion.
I only have
five school days left with my second graders, and I am very sad that my
time in this school and in this classroom is coming to an end. I have
learned so much, not just as an educator, but about myself as well.
Before
you read on with my current realization, I want all of my fitness
family and friends to know that I am by no means bashing their dreams. I
am not taking away what you have achieved in this industry, but I have
simply learned from it…and know that God has a different plan for me.
The
past (almost) 3 years of my life have been wrapped around the
inaccurate idea of what “healthy” “beautiful” and “success” are. I had
the fire inside me that earning my IFBB pro card was the most important
part of being the best version of me. I made incredible sacrifices, and
put my body in more danger than I thought at the time. I was constantly
trying to make changes to meet the criteria of others. “Sara, your legs
are too big. Your upper body is too small. You aren’t lean enough. You
aren’t pretty enough. You didn’t work hard enough. You have no
symmetry…and the list goes on…” Those are the words I heard every time I
looked in the mirror, every time I was in the gym, every time I opened
up the refrigerator. I pushed loved ones away, and was in my own,
lonely little world trying to change myself to meet the needs of others.
Looking at that now…I think to myself…are you kidding me? Since
when do I care about what others think about me?
There is more to life
than being “stage ready”. It it NOT healthy to do 3 hours of cardio a day, plus lifting, and only eat 500 calories. I am going to be completely honest; I have no
desire to compete on stage any time soon anymore. My priorities have
changed, and my outlook. I want to love my body, and accept myself for
who I am right now. Just because it does not meet the criteria of the
NPC, does not determine my self worth or value.
Progress. Progress
was a term that I was driven by in fitness…to the point where it made me
sick. Every day I was so concerned on the progress I was making in my
body and self image. Am I lean enough? Can you see my abs enough? Are my
legs getting smaller? What kind of attitude is that? Definitely not one
that I want to live by anymore.
I am not going to stop working
out, or stop eating clean, because it is my lifestyle, but there is a
new kind of progress I am concerned about. I care about the progress of
whether or not Johnny is meeting benchmark and meeting his reading
level. I care about the progress of whether or not Susie can subtract
from one hundred. I care about the progress of my level of teaching and
ability to meet the needs of the diverse learners in my classroom.
I
truly know my purpose in life, and that is to make a difference in the
lives of my students, and to inspire others with my passion for helping
others.
Take it or leave it....but this is me...and I am not changing for anyone.
MAKE EACH DAY COUNT
<3 SJ xo
Hey Girl - Proud of you, more than you know!!!!!! You are going to inspire people wherever you go and I agree with all you have written above. You got lives to change - and you don't need that silly type of body feedback holding you back. So so proud of you.
ReplyDeleteSara Lynn
Thank you very much for your kind words. TEAM SARA!!! <3
ReplyDeleteBe proud, you pushed limits even I didn't believe could be obtained. You have become a well rounded person and glad to see that you know who you are. Congrats on what you've done, you will always continue to inspire people young and old in your life!
ReplyDeleteThank you, MKO
ReplyDeleteVery proud of you as to where you have been and to where you have come to in your attitude on life. Continue to fulfill your calling, and continue to be yourself. Your smile always brightens a room, and your concern for others is a characteristic that makes you special.
ReplyDelete