Hi Lovelies!
In less than one weeks time I will be running my very first half marathon. I am so nervous, but so excited. I ran 10 miles yesterday so I know I can do it, I just have this huge fear that I’m going to fall and break my leg or pass out right before the finish line. Yeah, yeah….I’m irrational, it’s what I do:) In order to celebrate being one week out, today’s post is about running/fitness/and that stupid thigh gap that people keep talking about.
To be honest with you, my legs have always been one of the things I have been the most self conscious about. I have never been one to wear shorts, even when it’s really hot out. When I do I constantly worry about the judgement of others. I posted a pair a few weeks ago and pushing that ‘Publish’ button was beyond hard for me. I wouldn’t say that my legs have ever been ‘fat’, but they’ve never been ‘thin’ either. Basically, my legs are not perfect, and I have never been okay with this. Even with all of my insecurities about my legs, it makes me really sad to see things like the “thigh gap” become a fad. Unless that “thigh gap” is there naturally for you (which for some people it is and that’s fine too) it probably isn’ a healthy achievement. I wish more women would get focused on being healthy than being “skinny” and having a thigh gap.
I got a comment on one of my posts a few weeks ago telling me that my legs were looking strong. Now, coming from the person it did, I KNOW it was a compliment, and I TOOK it as a compliment because I have worked hard on my legs. The thing that makes me sad, is that coming from someone else it might have been a snarky remark. I have seen it all too much in real life, women making fun of others for being muscular. Women being strong has not always been as “ok” as it is today, and it’s still not as “ok” as it should be. Having muscles or wanting to gain muscle as a woman has almost always been looked down upon. No one wants to look like a man after all, right? Wrong! You are never going to look like a man from lifting weights…you just aren’t! There isn’t enough testosterone in your body to make you look “like a man” (unless you put it there which is a whole different story). There are plenty of women out there who do bikini contests and pageants. Most of these ladies have a very low percentage of body fat and usually bigger muscles than most women. In my personal opinion they don’t “look like men”. Do you know how much work and dedication it takes to look like those people? Ummmm more than I will ever have for sure, and more than most women I know. So, trust me, if these ladies who work their butts off 3-4 hours or more per day don’t look like men, you’re not going to!
Lifting weights and working hard is going to help you gain muscles, or as most women like to call it “get definition”. It’s the same thing, different wording. Why? Because women are afraid of gaining anything. I have been running for a few months now, and you know what? I haven’t lost a pound. I didn’t weigh myself for 3 months and I did it on purpose. I knew that if I didn’t see that number heading downwards I would be discouraged and I would more than likely give up. But you know what? I am so glad I didn’t! I can tell a difference in my body without the scale. My legs don’t jiggle like they used to, my arms have muscles I had never seen before, and my stomach is shrinking before my eyes. I haven’t lost a pound because I have been GAINING muscle to replace the fat.
I’m not saying I’m muscular. I’m not saying I’m in great shape. I’m not saying I look perfect, I’m far from it. I’m just saying that I work hard to be healthy and I wish that more women would stop listening to the people who say you need a “thigh gap” and realize that they are beautiful anyways. My legs are strong. My legs can run 10 miles. My legs can lift weight, and heavy weight. My legs are not skinny. My thighs touch, but my legs are beautiful.
I read an article about women and muscle gain a few weeks ago, and if I could find it I would share with you. Alas, it has gotten lost in the abyss of the internet….If I find it I will be sure to come back and link it up!
How do you work to stay healthy?
**I want to say that this is my opinion. I am not a fitness expert, doctor, lawyer, or anything else. I am a blogger. These are my opinions and if you don’t agree that’s totally fine. On that note, please do not write snarky comments, they will be deleted. This is a friendly place and you may state your differing opinion, but if it is rude it will be deleted.**
Thank you for this post, Megan! I am so tired of the unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards we have in this society. Even at my skinniest (and I was tiny, I realize now when I look back at pictures–really too skinny) I didn’t have a thigh gap. My body just isn’t built that way. Now I’m heavier, but I’m also healthier, because I’m a lot more active. I was disappointed when I started running, too, that I wasn’t losing weight, but you’re right, your body gains muscle and definition. It’s just so hard to let go of the “skinny = healthy” mindset. So thanks for sharing your message, and good luck on your half marathon! You’re gonna rock it!
Thank you, Amber! I really wish we could single handedly change everyone’s mindset on the issue!
Great work and good for you! I’m about to start running as I told myself I would run the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot this year, if only to prove to myself that I could.
I really wish people would just focus on being healthy and feeling good instead of how that makes them look, or what number that gives them on the scale. Being healthy and how you feel is so much more important than those things.
I agree, Helen! It’s so hard to put all of your negative feelings aside and I struggle with it every single day, but at some point you just have to try for healthy:)
Great post! I so agree with you. I HATE the idea of thigh gap being an ideal to aspire to. Women should aspire to be healthy, not skinny.
I’m so happy to read that you understand the difference and are proud of your STRONG legs. That is a huge compliment.
Good luck on your upcoming half marathon, you will rock it!
Thanks, Jen! I hope I do!
Well, I think you’re stinking gorgeous! 😉
And I definitely understand. There’s a ridiculous standard being set every few years – and it would just be so nice to see women’s health being celebrated, instead of some random “perfected” part.
We’re more than our thighs.
I’m working hard to get in shape and lost weight, but I never have had, nor will I ever have, the oh-so-celebrated thigh gap. I’m a curvy gal. I like me that way.
Haha, well thank you, Amanda! Unfortunately, most women don’t realize that you can’t just pick your thighs and lose weight there. Your body will loose weight where it wants to….you could be the skinniest girl everywhere else and still have thighs that touch.
Great post Megan! I keep seeing suggested posts about how to achieve thigh gap and i feel slightly insulted by Facebook. I used to have thigh gap naturally and the more I worked out and built muscle the smaller it got til the point I don’t have it anymore. It doesn’t upset me that I don’t because I’m stronger and healthier now. Keep up the good work, no idea how you run in Texas!
Thank you, Kelsie! If the thigh gap is natural that’s fine, but striving to have one is usually not healthy for the person. It’s getting harder and harder to run here the hotter it gets…lol!
THANK YOU for this post. And congratulations on your hard work, you’re going to do great in your half marathon.
Thank you, Skye! I am so excited! And, I am glad you liked it! I have apparently acquired a few enemies in this post…not really sure why…
I am SO glad you mentioned that it is okay to have a “thigh gap” if it is natural. I see so many women who bash anyone and everyone with a gap in their thighs, and although I do not have one, I can imagine it is very hurtful to be called “too skinny” when you are naturally very thin. Telling a lady that she is not womanly or curvy enough can be just as damaging as telling her she is not thin enough. So thank you for recognizing that!
Thank you for your comment! I agree, I can’t stand the skinny bashing anymore than fat shaming. I just want everyone to stop pressuring each other to be a certain size or look a certain way!
Great post! It’s such a freeing realization when you decide that healthy is more important than skinny/a certain size/wt, etc. We shouldn’t shame anyone’s body if you are bigger or naturally skinny. Focusing on health is SO much better!
Thank you! I agree, it takes a huge weight off of your shoulder when you just realize you need to be healthy and love yourself:)