Pageantry: Just Strong

We have all been told how important exercise is. At least 3o minutes a day of physical activity.

Ever since becoming a mom, I have far exceeded the 30 minutes a day mark. But, have I been diligently strengthening and working out my body? Have I been feeling great? Strong, healthy, and confident?

Nope. Not so much. I’ve just been getting by.

Like the insurance commercial says, “Just ok is not ok.”

When the Miss America Organization nixed the swimsuit portion of their pageant, I was not sure which side of the debate I was on. I couldn’t back up either side with rational thoughts so I researched. I started listening to interviews with pageant queens who shared their unique views on the topic. Some said removing the swimsuit was a good decision and others said it was a bad decision. To my surprise, more women (out of the ones I heard speak on the topic) thought it was the wrong decision to remove swimsuit from the competition.

At first, I thought I would be on the “good decision” side of the argument. After all, I am a modest mother of four.

But then, after listening to these elegant women talk about what the swimsuit portion did for them, I made up my mind. Yes, I support the swimsuit competition.

If you are competing in swimsuit, “just ok is not ok.” You have to be dedicated to work on your physique. You have to be disciplined to care for yourself physically, nutritionally, and mentally. You have to mute the outside noise. You have to be fully, confidently you, imperfections and all, to walk across a stage in a bathing suit and high heels.

It’s humorous how your own strong opinions can just slip out. The strong opinions you didn’t realize God was working out inside of you. For me, it was at a business Christmas party. I was explaining the International Pageant System to my friend, Katie. “We have the following levels of competition: Interview, Evening Gown, and Fitness Wear. We don’t do swimsuit. We do fitness wear. I am so glad.”

As luck would have it, this wasn’t a run of the mill friend that I was speaking to. This was a friend who knows my heart, my life, and has a knack for pulling truth out of people. When the words, “I am so glad,” popped out of my mouth, I knew I was hiding something. And I knew my friend could tell.

The truth is, with fitness wear I can get away with less discipline. I can eat fairly healthy, exercise a few times a week, get a spray tan, and pull it off. If it were a bathing suit, I would be exercising 6 days a week and never sneak in any of my kids potato chips!

Convicted.

Sure, this is a controversial topic and I could go on about how much I appreciate Mrs. contestants wearing the more modest option of fitness wear. But, I cannot let that be an excuse.

You are worth taking care of. You are worth a disciplined exercise routine. You are worth the energy, the endorphins, and the confidence that an active life will bring you.

I encourage you to find what works for you. For me, I have loved every minute (well, not really, it is stinking hard sometimes!!!) of John Benton’s at-home workouts. Check him out online, you won’t regret it. I know for others it’s running, Orange Theory, Barre. The list goes on and on. The bottom line is: You are Strong and You are Worth It.

PS: Grab some gear that makes you feel extra strong, beautiful, and fearless. Head on over to Just Strong for great fitting gear at a reasonable price! Please use my Ambassador Link here.

Be Strong – Be Fearless – Be Beautiful

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