STRONG is the new beautiful, and I mean that! When I look at myself in the mirror what do I see? I see a strong and beautiful woman. As I share almost daily, I am on a lifelong quest to lose body fat and to be healthy. People may look at me and think “man she’s big” but you know what, I am big but I can also bench press your mother! I am a strong woman and I am proud of who I am!
In high school I was a competitive power lifter. I benched 200 pounds, squatted 400 pounds, and dead lifted 395 pounds. I was big and I was STRONG! In college I was a Division I discus and hammer thrower. I practiced 4 hours a day and competed with some of the best throwers in the country. I was big and I was STRONG!
I am in the middle of my 5th week of Jillian Michaels Body Revolution and guess what, I am big and I am STRONG! In my first month I only lost 1 pound but I lost 10.5 inches! This week I feel incredibly strong and can see my body changing. When people look at me they may think, that girl is big, but you know what? I AM “BIG” AND I AM STRONG!
Last night was my first time doing Cardio 2 and boy did it kick my tail. The workout was high intensity and fast pace… I loved every moment of it, even the painful ones.
I mean, I was sweating so much my upper lip was sweating! Now you know it’s a good workout when your LIP is sweating. I am loving Body Revolution and am excited to do workout 5 again tonight on top of my spin class this morning.
After cardio 2 last night I went over to Neal’s to watch some hockey (go CAPS) and baseball (go NATS) and whipped up a yummy, protein filled salad. The salad included a Trader Joe’s goat cheese medallion…
two diced grilled chicken tenders…
a lot of lettuce (spring mix)…
and two diced eggs.
It was perfect and refueled me after a hard workout. Aside from my uber yummy strawberry rhubarb crumble, my goal of eating less simple carbs has been going well. Breakfasts this week have included oatmeal and a banana. Lunches have varied from pasta zero to salads to soup. Dinners have been pretty diverse but again as close to whole foods as possible.
I hope y’all are having a wonderful week. Happy Thursday!
Tagged with: Beautiful • body revolution • Strong
Filed under: Body Revolution • Deep Thoughts • Favorite Posts • My Weight Loss • Personal • Weight Loss
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coffeecakeandcardio
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THIS! This times a MILLION! Great post and I love that tee. I often think people think that about me “Gosh, she’s big”. Yes, I’m big, but I’m strong and I’m FIT! I have worked up to my fitness where I am not completely on the floor after a step class and I can swim 1km and not be out of breath after it! Of course I can be fitter, and stronger. But I’m a damn sight fitter and strong than some people out there who are a half my size, and I’m sure you’re the same. Keep that strength up – and keep up the great blog
I love the shirt!
I know what you mean about upper lip sweat. I know it’s a good workout when my forearms sweat lol. I always think it’s such an odd spot to sweat.
Bailey recently posted..Overweight doesn’t always mean unhealthy
That’s right girl. OWN IT.
I’d rather be “bigger” and strong than skinny and weak any day.
I love those Goat cheese medallions from TJs but completely forget that they exist! I’ll be picking some up this weekend…
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted..Quick Low-Carb/High-Protein “Pancakes”
You go girl!!!
I’ll take STRONG any day! The goat cheese is good in omlets too. Love the shirt!
That salad looks perfect. I think I’m going to go make the same thing for lunch!
Emily recently posted..A Birthday to Remember
That shirt is perfect! Keep sweating, keep getting stronger!
Colleen recently posted..New Shoes!
Sweet! That is some serious sweat!!! Love your shirt too!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Married: Month 10 + Our Big Fat Anticlimactic Secret
This is a perfect example when not losing weight doesn’t mean actually that you don’t make progress, 10.5 inches is a lot, I am very happy for you and I agree that being strong is beautiful! And you are very beautiful!!
Catalina @ Cake with Love recently posted..Cherry Buttermilk Crumb Cake
you are beautiful for sure, lady! nice work on the body revolution. i’m so bad at sticking to long-term workout routines like that, but you’re doing such an amazing job!
p.s. LOVE those goat cheese medallions.

sarah @ sarah learns recently posted..lock-tops for the win [+ giveaway!]
Girl, I think your awesome and this post is amazing! I’d rather be big and strong than skinny and wimpy. I’m 5 foot 10 and I always feel big when I’m in a group of girls, and I’m athletic so I’m no skinny mini either. This post really resonates with me. Thanks for posting it.
Maren recently posted..Oodles of birthday noodles
I love this post! I have always been the “big” girl towering over all of my girlfriends at 6’1″, but I am strong! Probably stronger and fitter than a lot of the skinny, smaller girls out there and that’s what makes me happy! Keep up the awesome workouts! Big girls rock!

Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..On The Go Lunch