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Did I Shave My Legs For This?

C’mon, April, lighten up!!

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Yesterday was awesome. Today is raining and 30 degrees colder.

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And I got drenched on my way back from the gym!!

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It was a risk I took because I love biking so much and I’m still glad I went, especially since Body Pump was great today. I have a friend who is in all of my classes. I don’t know her name and have barely spoken to her, but we’re kind of mutual equals in the class because we lift similar weights. She’s got killer arms and I try to match her weight. Today she asked me: “Did you used to be a gymnast? Your upper body is so strong and broad.” Why thank you friend for making my day!

It’s not the first time I’ve gotten the question. Since I was in middle school people have asked me if I am/was a gymnast or swimmer. It’s pretty clear by now that I have that body type and it’s not changing! I think that’s pretty cool. I also apparently look like Clarissa Explains It All since I’ve gotten that comment since middle school as well 🙂

As I mentioned yesterday, I’m 5’2” high. There’s not a lot of room for my self to spread out! I am compact with thick muscles. I also have fair skin and green eyes. They’re not changing either (naturally, at least). The more I remind myself that the things that make me me never change, the happier I am with what I have.

Soup’s on!!

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Actually that’s not soup. It’s a green smoothie in a bowl topped with Danielle’s Taro + Coconut chips!!

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The smoothie had 1 banana, 1 cup of milk, 1 tbsp chia seeds and 2 cups of spinach. It was delicious, and the crunchies were AMAZING on top!!

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On the side: carrot + apple with pumpkin hummus!

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I’ve gotten a head start on dinner – it’s roasting away!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. You do look a little like Clarissa! Growing up, that was one of my favorite shows.

    I think it’s so important to remember that our body types do not generally change, even though we may gain or lose weight and muscle. We are who we are.

    Reply

    • I guess I kind of see the resemblance to MJH, but I wouldn’t ever notice it.

      I have a short torso. I’ve always disliked that about my body because longer torsos look so lean even if they aren’t particularly defined…I won’t ever have a long torso though so there’s really no use in thinking about it anymore!

      Reply

      • My sister has a really long torso but our legs are the same length. It’s where her extra 3-4 inches are

        Reply

  4. I can see how you look similar to Clarissa! I used to LOVE that show! I miss all those old Nickelodeon shows. They were great!

    It’s raining and gross outside here too. I hope the weather gets better! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you are making for dinner!

    Reply

  13. I love making group exercise “friends.” Some of my favorites are people to whom I have never spoken. It makes my day to see familiar faces at my 6am BodyPump (I’ve been going for 6 years and it is still a challenge) and yoga classes!

    Reply

    • Isn’t that weird that we have exercise “friends”. I feel bad because I see the same faces multiple times each week but I’m too shy to start a conversation.

      Reply

  17. Your smoothie looks AWESOME. i’m also north of you in CT and experienced the same fake-out in terms of weather — woke up thinking sunshine, and found myself trapped in a dark sky and getting drizzled on. Boo.

    Reply

  18. Loved your comment about the things that make you YOU!

    I need to do this in my own life! For me, it’s my soccer player thighs….Those bad boys may not be the thinnest, but they brought me a scholarship in college, AND allowed me to run 20 miles! 🙂

    Reply

  20. I love how you embrace your body… Very inspiring Kath. I was both a gymnast and then a swimmer/ waterpolo player and have always felt like I had ‘big’ shoulders… I need to focus on the STONG part, bc I AM strong… that’s def a benefit to my ‘big’ shoulders 🙂

    Reply

  21. Roasted fennel, your house smells awesome by now, Im sure.

    “The more I remind myself that the things that make me me never change, the happier I am with what I have. “–

    AMEN to that!!!

    I am tall, like almost 5’11” and my whole life people say things like, Boy you’re really tall/you’re huge/you’re an amazon…etc. (I would never walk up to a short person and say wow you’re really short/a pintsized human, etc) but I digress. It took me to being a young woman before I embraced my height and since I cant change it, may as well work it. And I wear really tall heels, too 🙂

    Reply

    • awesome! I love that Averie!! way to go. I’m 5’1″ and embracing it just now too! hehe. And I wear heels just b/c they’re purty–not to make me tall. I’m realizing that we all have advantages no matter what height we are! 😀

      Reply

  22. Your “soup” smoothie looks delicious, and your entire lunch looks devine. You made some terrific statements in this post in regards to the appreciation of oneself, and I love what you said! Thanks as always at making my day brighter!!

    Reply

  23. Best.post.title.EVER! 😉 I felt the same way during my run in the *cold* rain.
    I made a green smoothie today too, but I’m jealous of your crunchies. What is Taro?
    And I can’t wait to see what you make for dinner with what I know can’t be ONIONS! 😀

    Reply

  25. Such a healthy outlook – even if you don’t think that way all the time, it’s nice that you’re able to at least some of the time! 😀

    I agree with the “Clarissa Explains It All” comparison – I LOVE Melissa Joan Hart and I wouldn’t mind being compared to her (or a gymnast!) any day 🙂

    Reply

  27. i hear you on the weather, i just shaved my legs too and now i need to wear tights again!
    btw, i gave up coffee a few months ago, you can definitely do it! try making half caf and still having a whole cup. that definitely helped ‘trick’ me a bit. i then weaned myself to all decaf, and then no coffee at all. good luck:)

    Reply

  30. Hayden Panatierre, (I’m sure I butchered her last name,) made a comment once that always stuck with me. She was talking about how she is short and has stocky legs or whatever, and she said something like, “I may not have the ideal body, but I sure ROCK this body.” I loved that. I try to remind myself of that when I beat myself up over my shape.

    Reply

  32. Do you use fresh or frozen spinach in your green smoothies?
    I just finished a green smoothie myself (with frozen spinach). YUM YUM! 🙂

    Reply

  33. Hi Kath,

    I luv your blog and am a fellow Virginian. I’ve been seeing half cups of coffee in your posts and am wondering if it’s b/c you are sensitive to caffeine (sorry, I’m a sometimes-reader due to my crazy work schedule). Anyway, I’m extremely sensitive to caffeine and one cup of regular coffee early in the morning is enough to keep me up all night. I have tried the caffeine-free thing and without it, I’m a hot mess. My solution is to use 2 scoops of decaf coffee grinds for every one 1 scoop of caffeinated grinds in my french press. It seems to work for me and allows me to enjoy my morning joe without suffering the consequences.

    Reply

    • Yes I am very sensitive to it. For a while we were doing 1/3 decaf, but it just doesn’t seem like the solution I’m looking for. I don’t want to be addicted at all!

      Reply

  34. You DO look like Clarissa Explains it All! That was one of my favorite shows growing up 🙂 Remember how her friend used to climb in her window instead of using the door? haha!

    That’s cool that you made a friend in Body Pump 🙂 I’m too shy to talk to people!

    Reply

  35. I never would have thought of the Clarissa thing on my own but I definitely see it! However, you look more like a young Clarissa than Melissa Joan Hart today (if that makes sense). I used to get that all the time when I was younger, but I think it’s only because we have the same last name in real life.

    Reply

  39. “The more I remind myself that the things that make me me never change, the happier I am with what I have.” This is great, and I’m going to think about what this would be for me. Thanks!

    Reply

  44. I am 5′ 2″ and kind of muscly too. I am not as body confident as you though! Still working on that one.

    Reply

  47. That is probably the BRIGHTEST green smoothie I’ve seen in a while! 🙂 So pretty–maybe it should rub off on your weather conditions there!

    Reply

  48. There are a group of regulars who go to my BodyPump class and I always kick myself for not striking up conversation. I always say hi, smile etc but never seem to have the chance to chat properly or introduce myself. Maybe I should next time?

    I remember Clarissa Explains it All. It reminds me of being a kid! That and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (though Clarissa was definitely my favourite).

    Reply

  49. We certainly do have similar bodies, I always get the “are you a swimmer?”. Funny thing is, I like nearly all exercise EXCEPT swimming!

    Reply

  50. I notice that your Asics are wearing in the same locations as mine (in the backs and toes). I have had mine since last August and I think it is time for another pair. The hole has started to get bigger in the toe area on mine. I wish they would use another kind of material for that section of the shoe that actually holds up.

    I <3 Body Pump. Glad you like it. Is your gym having the new 77 release in the morning?

    Reply

      • I wear the same Asics and mine always wear poorly in that same spot, yet they are my favorite running shoes!

        Way to go on the positive self-talk, Kath!

        Now, I can’t get that Deana Carter song out of my head…best title for a country tune ever!

        Reply

  56. I am old enough that I just start talking to people in my group exercise classes. Now I consider many in my Jazzercise class to be friends even though I don’t see them outside of class. And there are only three of us in my yoga class so we all know each other’s stories and situations.

    You reminded me of this quote which I find more and more true as I get older.
    We do not change as we grow older, we just become more clearly ourselves.

    Reply

  58. Hi Kath! I have a really muscly lower body (thighs, calves and, ahem, the backside :D) which I believe to have come about from all the running I do, as well as my dad’s gene pool! I self-deprecatingly refer to my legs as “small saplings”, but I’m learning to appreciate and love them for the way they are. They allow me to climb long flights of stairs and trot up steep hills with minimal effort, and walk for hours on end without soreness.

    Thank you for reminding me of the importance of celebrating our unique body types!

    Reply

  64. Nice of her to compliment you like that!! But it’s true, you have such a nice figure! I mean it’s weird to think about, but you know how women used to wear shoulder pads to make their shoulders more broad? Kinda like you naturally have that. 🙂 It makes you look so confident in your normal stance.

    Reply

  65. I had the same response when I woke up this morning!
    To clarify, I’m a fellow Cville resident who just discovered your blog. It’s wonderful, and I’ll definitely be dropping by the bakery when you open! I’ve been meaning to comment for awhile and thought this was a good time- you helped me reflect on how I might learn to embrace the aspects of my own body that just won’t change.

    Reply

  66. i know what ya mean about the weather! i need it to warm up up here too! roasting fennel is one of my favorite ways to eat it! it so good on salads! of and we were totally lunch twins today….i had a SIAB too!

    Reply

  67. This is the very first time I’ve commented on your blog. I’ve been reading for the last year or so. I just wanted to say thanks for writing, “The more I remind myself that the things that make me me never change, the happier I am with what I have…” My biggest insecurity is my legs. I think they look like tree trunks. Don’t know why because I get the most compliments on them. People say they are ‘muscular and lean’. I hear ‘big calves that will never fit into tall boots properly’. I guess I just have an athletic build. I always have. I just need to own it. 🙂

    Reply

  68. I’m definitely feeling the same about the weather here in Sonoma county.

    I’ve never heard of pumpkin hummus, sounds delicious!

    Reply

  70. I got to the last picture, looked at the clock, and gasped, realizing I need to get my dinner in the oven (dinner includes roast fennel!!)

    Reply

  71. So random but I have Asics as well and have noticed that my big toe pokes through and I have little holes on each shoe and yours have the same thing! Must be how they wear but I was glad to see yours did the same thing because I worried they fit me wrong.

    Reply

  72. You TOTALLY look like Clarissa! I never realized that until you said it! Nothing wrong with being broad! And you’re right, the more I learn that I’m stuck with what I got, the more I love the way I’m built!

    Reply

  76. I’ve got beautiful gymnast/swimmer broad shoulders too (and 5′ 2.25″!!). I used to hate them…and sometimes still do but the older I get, the happier I am with them. If it were the 80s, we wouldn’t have to wear shoulder pads :). Thanks for being proud of your shoulders so I can be proud of mine too.

    Reply

  78. I used to always get asked if I was I runner…about 7 years before I ever ran…I was a fortunate kid/teen who always looked like an athlete was actually as clumsy as they come.

    I joke that’s why I took up running 🙂 Still clumsy, which is why I still run AND do Body Pump…and now Body Flow, done it? BP 77 is released at my gym on Monday.

    Reply

  79. It so funny because I am also short and i took yoga with a new teacher on Tuesday and she asked me if I was a swimmer or a gymnast. I said, “No, but I’ll take it as a compliment that you asked!”.

    Reply

  81. It’s so wonderful to hear of women being comfortable in their own skin. It’s always wonderful for me to remember that smoothies with banana are delicious. I haven’t been able to have a proper creamy banana smoothies in weeks because they’re so expensive here right now – $5 for two, which I can’t justify. One day…

    Reply

  83. It’s amazing how a simple comment from someone can make you feel as awesome as you should! I was a swimmer back in high school and I have the same muscle building structure- I can bulk up pretty quick- I was always upset that I wasn’t a petite little girl, and it’s just so much better to embrace what we are! We are strong, and healthy and that’s what counts in the long run 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

  86. I am a fellow 5’2″ gal with a compact build, thick muscles, fair skin, (no blonde hair, but curly light brown), and I just LOVED this post! As I gotten older I’ve learned to love the characteristics that make me ME! I’ve grown to love my body for what it does AND for how it looks. My build helped me to be a competitive swimmer, soccer player and volleyball player in high school and means I’m pretty good (not necessarily great) at almost any sport or physical activity I try.

    Thanks for the post! 🙂

    Reply

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