Well, that was nearly 3 years ago now and I’ve hit a few speed bumps since then including two injuries and a few illnesses along with a recent relapse of depression and anxiety. I few years back I wrote about giving up on my perfectionist tendencies. I was concerned that my “slip” in my fitness focus would make me less credible. But, now I am proud to be out of the closet with my fitness failures, sharing them with my readers in addition to my successes.

Besides, PERFECT SUCKS! Don’t strive for it. It does not exist. I was doing a Jillian Michaels workout today and she said it herself. It really rang true with me. She also said something like “Trasformation is not an end result. It is something you do with your actions each and every day.” This is so true. While I agree that setting a goals are good, don’t see it as an ending “transformation.” Work toward transforming yourself each and every day in different ways.

THIS is the new me. THIS is what I am aiming for. I am not striving to be perfect, but to better myself, even if just a little, each and every day. We’ll keep working together to be stronger, more fit, flexible, health and happy. I’m here for you and so many of you are here for me as well. On with the journey! SCREW PERFECT! It’s a myth, a legend of air-brushed models. We are REAL people and real people work hard, fail, succeed and help one another. Let’s do this!

Fast forward about 10 years. I moved across the country and considered joining the local YMCA. This is after I was actually in pretty great shape. But, I felt like a piece of meat in that environment and I did notice the stares and snickers toward people who were overweight. I never went back.

Luckily, I have found another gym that has been extremely helpful as I’ve struggled coming back from an injury and more weight gain than I’ve had in many years. It is for women only of all shapes and sizes and everyone is so welcoming and encouraging of one another. I wish that all women (and men) could belong to a gym like this. Everyone needs to feel like they are part of supportive community no matter what size they are.

As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety, this is the one area where I KNOW most trainers and health club professionals are clueless. So many people who are overweight have emotional issues to deal with. Trainers need to get to know clients as people and not just as numbers on the scale and a measuring tape. I have worked with clients of all shapes and sizes. We work on creating small successes and never try to jump into too many changes at once. I had one client who could barely walk up and down a flight of stairs when we first met. Weeks later, she could walk up and down 5 times and we celebrated that success.

I don’t have all the answers. Stereotypes in society SUCK, but health club owners and trainers can do a lot to help create an atmosphere where they work that is welcoming for all. Spend some true time getting to know clients as people. All gyms should have a quiet “chat” room for this type of thing.

Well, that’s all I have time for this week, but I am really excited to be part of this initiative. I could not agree more that we can work together to create a better FIT for all.

This post is part of a Blogging Carnival. If you would like to create your own post, or check out others, link up HERE! If you join in or have some ideas, use the hashtag #CREATINGABETTERFIT to share your ideas on Twitter too.

This is serving double duty as My Mamavation Monday post too. For info on Mamavation Monday, go HERE.

About Missy in her own words:

I made the decision to begin my weight loss journey after I became “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of feeling bad about my weight. My energy level was low and I wanted to have a healthier, happier lifestyle. There were a lot of personal struggles in my every day life because I was overweight. I hated having my picture taken, finding the right guy to date was like finding a needle in a haystack, and I just felt older than my years. Refusing to continue in my old ways, I started working out at the local YMCA and started to see the pounds dropping.

I have since lost over 60 pounds and have built a lot of muscle and pretty much changed my body composition. While working out I felt my body changing, I had more energy and soon was able to buy clothes that I wanted to wear—not just what fit or was comfortable for my size. Seeing these results motivated me to keep working hard to continue to my body transformation success. I lost over 4 clothing sizes and have given over a dozen huge garbage bags full of clothes to charity.

My initial fitness goals have come and gone long ago but I still continue to strive to the be the best I can be. I am constantly trying new challenges and pushing myself harder to reach new fitness. Greatest challenge/struggle: Breaking plateaus. What has been most positive about my weight loss journey: Being told by others that I have inspired and motivated them to begin their own journey into a healthier lifestyle. Top tips for readers and favorite exercises: Variety, variety, variety. Don’t let yourself get bored with your workouts. Step outside of the box, push yourself and try something new and fun. I did this by adding dance into my fitness routine.

Stop by Missy’s blog at http://mistransformation.wordpress.com to say hi and read some of her great posts and fitness program reviews.

When I am not working out, depression and anxiety tend to creep back into my life. I tend to keep this part of my life “in the closet” somewhat, but I want this wonderful community to know that I struggle just like so many of you. As one of the Mamavation Cheerleaders, I get caught up with being the perfect role model and always providing healthy tips and advice. I need to remember to reach out for support sometimes too. So, if you get a chance, send a virtual hug my way. I’ll really appreciate it and gladly return the favor.

Now, onto the topic at hand. This week’s Mamavation question is:

Where are you planning for your feet to take you before 2011 ends? Any races or training plans?

I don’t have any race plans, but I do want to focus on moving my lower as much as possible since I need to rest my upper body. I’m going to dust off the old pedometer to measure my steps and movement. Being on prescribed “rest” and meds has me reaching for the wrong foods for comfort and the numbers on the scale are moving in the wrong direction. I have not belonged to a gym in ages, but I’m also thinking of giving one a try to be able to take advantage of all the equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, etc., that I don’t have at home.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Omron Fitness. Two blogging carnival participants will receive an Omron pedometer. Answer the question above in your blog post and link back to the Omron Fitness Facebook page. Link up your post here.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over twitter. (Or later if I get swamped).

Mamavation is a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women