about lindsay

lindsay-beeson

OK, let’s get this out of the way: As of September, 2010, I’m 5-foot-even and 121 lbs June 2011, I’m 5-foot-even and 128 lbs March 2013 I’m 5-foot-even and 133 lbs. I am not terribly overweight. I’m within the acceptable limits provided in NIH health guidelines. The thing is, well. Two things:

1. I spent most of my life (until about three years ago), in the “overweight” category, with a high of 160 lbs. in high school. When I lost the weight, I did it by eating better but without much care to a physical fitness routine.

The 121128133 pounds I carry are what you could call the lazy man’s healthy weight. My body fat percentage is high-ish, my core is weak (when I do ab classes at the gym, I invariably walk away with a sore back … because I’m FINALLY using those muscles properly), I can’t run long before I just want to stop stop stop.

I can feel this little body full of so much potential that I’m finally ready to unlock. Which leads to point, no. 2.

2. I am not athletic, and I want to be. I had this really interesting notion for most of my life that I just wasn’t athletic. As if being athletic was akin to being tall. Like it wasn’t something I could choose to be, or something I could achieve.

Something has clicked, though, and I’ve realized that, not only could I be athletic, but daggum I wanted to be. There are so many reasons to be physically fit, chief among them a healthier, longer life. Other reasons? Personal achievement, improved self-image, increased physical ability, stamina, joy (because of the endorphins, right?).

And a weird reason, maybe a little abstract: I want to be human in the way that nature intended. We are meant to be lean, able-bodied machines. The last century or so has afforded us a lot of comforts (most of which I happily take up), but the whole softening of our middles? That seems like a step back. I just want to be a fine example of a human being, is all.

So that’s me in a nutshell. I’m grateful for the healthy body I have, and I’m interested in treating it well and seeing how far it can take me.

  • http://goodformegirl.com

    Hi Lindsay–just stumbled across your blog, and I really like how you’re writing about changing your idea of being a “non athlete.” Coming from an (ex) athlete, I think everyone feels that way at some point or other! Can’t wait to read more :-)

    • http://foodanddo.lindsaybeeson.com Lindsay Beeson

      I’m glad you stumbled across my blog, so I could discover yours!

      So much of what we do and who we are starts in our brains, right? And our perceptions of what is and what isn’t. I’m totally keen to question my perceptions. This “non athlete” one — I’m getting a lot out of turning it on its head.