Well, it’s been a while, but I finally have some thoughts to share! Today’s post is about my relation with sports and body over lifetime ๐
As a child, I had health issues and I often missed classes, especially P.E. I’ve never been good at it and always was one of the last chosen for a team when we’ve done group activities ๐ฌ Even my friends didn’t want me in their team, because I was the weaker one, or at least that’s how I remember it ๐ฌ My parents wanted to find something I’d like to train after school, so I tried some dancing and tennis but it was all boring for me. I started playing Tomb Raider back then and I remember I wanted to start learn acrobatics to be like Lara Croft ๐ But I can’t recall why I never did, maybe I didn’t tell my parents it’s what I’d like to learn? Maybe I thought it’s already too late? ๐ (I was 10 at that time) Or maybe I was convinced I’m a loser and I’ll never be able to do such tricks, so what’s the point of trying ๐
When I was a teenager, my health got better. My mom always encouraged me to work out, just for health’s sake. So I tried going to a gym, but I ended up reading books while running on a track, because it was boring for me too ๐ and audiobooks weren’t that popular back then. I also tried dancing and some fitness classes, but always quit after a few months. I regularly trained swimming for half a year or so, but again, quit for the same reason. Health itself wasn’t motivating enough for me, especially when I was young and didn’t have many issues ๐
Later, when I started studying, I wanted to revive my dream of becoming Lara Croft and train acrobatics. I moved out to a big city, but couldn’t find a group for adults ๐ All were aimed at children or teenagers. I could only sign up for individual classes, but it was too expensive. So I tried fitness classes once more, but the story was the same, I got bored after a few months. I thought I just can’t do sports, because there isn’t any activity that wouldn’t be boring for me. I always liked bicycling, but I can’t really do that in winter. I also used to change my apartments every few months of various reasons and in some of them there wasn’t enough space for a bike. There was also the same problem: after some time, I discovered all cycling destinations nearby and I got bored with them too… Currently our basement is filled with cosplays and cardboard boxes, so I don’t have a place to keep my bike ๐
My next sports attempt was around 2019, a few months before pandemic. I tried going to fitness classes for the last time, but again, got bored and quit. I also tried working out at home a few times, but that is the worst for me, I got bored after 2-3 times ๐ I didn’t manage to work out regularly even for a month.
And then, at the end of 2021, when I was slowly bringing my life to a point I’d be SUPER satisfied with it, I joined aerial hoop classes. I thought this might motivate me, because I can see visible progress other than how much I can lift up or how fast I can do push up or squats. And turns out I was right ๐ I only skip classes when I have a fresh tattoo or when I’m super sick (a small cold can’t stop me). I really enjoy it and I see visible progress! And also feel super cool while doing it. Around February 2022 I joined pole dance class and although I don’t like it as much as lyra, it’s also fun to do! I absolutely adore my instructor, which is yet another reason to enjoy classes. Later in the year I decided I want to learn aerial silks too and I found a course which started in September and didn’t interfere with my other workouts. So now I attend lyra, silks and pole dance classes regularly ๐ Which drastically narrows my free time for cosplay, but it’s fine. I really like it, my mind rests when I work out and I feel my body is in way better condition than when I didn’t work out at all. I still want to fulfill my dream about learning cool tricks Lara Croft style though… I’m aware, that probably there are some things I might never be able to achieve, starting training in my 20s, instead of 20 years ago, but I don’t mind. I’ll do the best I can, and enjoy what I’m able to achieve ๐ Which brings me to another thought…
Recently I often read about ways to feel better with your body, when you don’t like how it looks. To focus on its functions and capabilities, instead of the way it looks. For example being grateful for legs, which can take you to beautiful places for a walk. Being grateful for your hands, which allow you to earn money for all the trash you want to buy. And I think working out is a way to recover relation with your body. I’m amazed by what it can achieve. I see myself in the mirror, doing awesome things during training and I can’t believe my body would be ever capable of it!
I’m not the best example on this though, because besides working out, I’m also getting box diet for more than a year, and I eat a bit fewer calories than my body needs, which allowed me to lose weight. And only after I lost more than 10kg and worked out at the same time, I managed to not only love my body by its capabilities, but also by the way it looks ๐ฌ
I believe everyone might find a sport’s activity they’d like. I know it may not be realistic and there are many people and stories. But minds change, possibilities change, if something isn’t achievable now, it might be in the future! I also realize it’s hard to find something for yourself when you live in a small town and can choose only between swimming pool and gym ๐ I’ll keep my fingers crossed for everyone, to find something they enjoy, so they can keep their bodies healthy and flexible!
Anyway, that’s all I wanted to share! I’m perfectly aware that sharing this here instead of social media might lead to no one reading it ๐ But I don’t mind, I usually write to get some thoughts out of my mind instead of fulfilling others reading needs ๐
Outfit: Dehadria
Pictures taken by Sลawek Klejewski Fotografia
Photo shoot organized by Lipka ๐งก
