i have been going to the gym since i was 13, i’m 32 now. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ for 15 of those 19 years i was going because i hated myself and i wanted to make myself smaller so i was more attractive, loveable and desirable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ i placed so much of my value on being the smallest version of myself possible. it distorted my relationship with food, with movement and with my own purpose/heart. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ reclaiming a love for movement is difficult for a lot of people who has had a disordered relationship with it. focusing on goals like wanting to be able to walk faster, run longer, lift heavier are POSITIVE and NON appearance based goals that allow you to measure progress in a healthier way. not saying that some folks didn’t end up disordered this way too, it’s just one way of goal setting. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ reclaim getting sweaty with yourself. reclaim these parts of you that have been taken away by a thin obsessed world. going to the gym/movement classes are great to manage stress, keep mobility, for your cardiovascular system, to help regulate hormones and so much more. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ i go for me, not for you or for those who think i will look better if i do this more. i go for me. #gym #gymmotivation #fitness