I'm Shocked To Discover It's Not About That.

Lately as I peruse Pinterest looking at CrossFit and fitness stuff, I see a lot of pictures of women's bodies in short shorts, with pithy phrases like "Get that Mali Booty" or "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" or "Motivation". 

Saw these gems too:

I get more reps in stilettos. 

 Yeah, because I always go do double unders with no bra, my shorts pulled up into my butt, and heels.  My fitness is not about looking sexy, and I find myself getting irritated lately about the emphasis on exercise for the purpose of looking hot. Strong is the New Sexy, hey? That's not really cool with me anymore. How about strong is strong.  For once I'd like to do something for me, instead of for some guy that wants to ogle me at LA Fitness, or for the douche-bag boyfriend who just wishes I were a little thinner. 

I am thin. I also happen to find myself sexy. I just don't understand why promoting women doing real workouts instead of playing on the elliptical has to include models in full makeup, with artfully aranged hair (see below), who have also been strategically spritzed with "sweat"? Isn't it impressive enough that this woman is (allegedly) doing a weighted back squat? Does she really  have to look sexy for a man while she's at it? 

The push-up bra helps counter-balance the weight.

The worst part of it all is that I took a picture of myself last night after finishing a quick workout in my office. (100 Single Unders, 20 Kettlebell Swings [20lb], 50 Sit Ups, 25 Mountain Climbers, 25 Jack Knives.) 

I had intended to send the picture to my cardio partner, A., as proof that I was rocking out and all sweaty. I took the picture at a downward angle as I lay sprawled on my yoga mat, trying to look attractive. Why on earth would I try to look attractive after a workout?! Why would I send a picture that looks down my sports bra and makes my thighs look smaller? Why should it matter?

That's when it occurred to me that I Don't work out to look sexy for other people. I caught myself explaining to my brother the other day that life is more manageable on days that I work out, and that I'm happier and less stressed. I talked about how good it is to think "I can't do that" at the beginning of the WOD and then feel my body be like "F* that noise, I've got this." I told him how when I'm taking care of my body by working out, it spreads into other parts of my life as well-- I keep my apartment cleaner, I cook myself real food instead of eating out, I take the time to get dolled up and take myself out for a nice night. NEVER did I say, "I work out so that way I look sexy and can meet a man." 

Today's Reason: Because "F* Them All", this is personal, and it's for me. 


PS: I know that probably the majority of women work out in order to look good. That's fine. It is just blatant sexualization of us working out that bothers me. It almost feels like women lifting weights and doing "men's" workouts is a fetish for someone. Gross.