Balance is something crystallized for me during the Cathe Road Trip (and is something that runs through my veins, and given I’m a Libra, is no surprise!) this weekend…in a few different areas.
Well, first of all, I crave balance. Not too much, not too little, juuuust right.
It makes me calm.
It makes me feel like life’s right where it should be.
When I don’t have balance, I feel like life’s out of whack and I struggle.
Balance means routine…even though sometimes I need to buck routing and just go with the flow (which means balance, right??)
Balance, to me also means moderation.
In attending this year’s Road Trip, I looked around at the 100+ women (and two men – brave troopers!) and saw some mega-ripped hard bodies, six-pack abs and guns like whoa (which of course, I envy. Good arms are hot!), and almost immediately compared myself.
I’m not *as* ripped. Not nearly.
Yet I work out probably as much as many of them.
I’m not as skinny as some of them.
But I enjoy a glass of wine here and there (okay in moderation, but sometimes quite a bit, though I try to cap it to weekends!) and that’s my choice.
Balance.
But I AM as dedicated – if not more – to my health and happiness. Which also means mental happiness. Which means not depriving myself, but believing in “everything in moderation.”
I think some of these women at the Road Trip could take a page from the book of moderation and balance, because sure, they look ridiculously fit, but isn’t life also about enjoying life, including food and wine? Maybe it’s just me, but I love food (don’t we all?!) and if I tell myself I can “never” have a bagel or “never” have a piece of cake…do I really want to look back at my life when I’m in my 80s and say “wow, I never got to eat cake, did I??” – but for what? To feel like THE best looking, hottest body around? What’s wrong with the way I am now?
I guess I realize that I don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful and love my life. And calling myself beautiful is not something I easily do, because I – like many woman – compare myself to almost everyone I see. On TV. At work. On the street. Among my friends. I can always find some feature in someone else that I want…which I know isn’t the healthiest thing in the world, and a habit I’m trying to break – but the fact that I am writing this out and saying it – is huge (and I hope I now don’t sound egotistical! I think all women are beautiful!!).
So…in going back to balance. It is a choice for me. One I think about every day and sometimes struggle with. I am my own worst enemy, as we know, and I overthink. A lot. All the way down to “did I really need that Skinny Cow ice cream?” <– hello, it’s 140 calories, not 500! See how my mind works?!
And I think balance should be applauded and embraced. Join me, will you? Do you crave balance? Are you really strict in some areas of your life and not in others? What drives your balance factor?
August 2, 2010 at 8:26 pm
balance is SO key, especially with diet/exercise stuff. i am pretty strict with foods that i deem “unnecessary”; if it’s of dubious nutritional value, it’s got to be damn good to be worth the calorie count.
but much beyond that, i don’t do deprivation. i think it’s unnatural. you have to weigh responsibility and joy evenly. sometimes joy wins. that’s cool. that’s the whole point, right?
August 3, 2010 at 8:16 am
You’re right – deprivation isn’t natural whatsoever. In diet and life generally. Joy should win all the time in my book!
August 2, 2010 at 8:31 pm
It’s so hard not to compare ourselves with others isn’t it? I am totally with you on balance (hello wine on Saturday right?!). I do allow some indulgences, but realized this weekend how far and few (other than wine) they are – like having a cookie Sat night. I need more cookies in my life 😉 I love that you recognize that balance is so much more important than an all or nothing attitude. Life is too short not to enjoy. And you should totally be proud of your bod girl!
August 3, 2010 at 8:17 am
Yes Heather, it is SO hard not to compare. I do it way too often for my own good. And yes, I agree, you need more cookies in life 😉 Sometimes allowing a little more give and take puts balance back in where maybe it wasn’t. Life’s too short to always want something! and thanks re body – you’re too sweet, so hard for me to accept compliments.
August 2, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I am definitely a balance woman! Life without cake sounds pretty dull to me. Good for you for keeping things in perspective.
August 3, 2010 at 8:17 am
Life without cake IS dull! you’re right. Balance is something I struggle with at times, but I always feel better when I have it, with my diet, in life, with routine etc.
August 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Your post is reminding me of a card I received once that said something along the lines of … “life isn’t about arriving at your grave in perfectly preserved condition …” So go for the wine.
And I love that you can say you’re beautiful. Thirty years ago I thought I was “too big” – I was forty pounds lighter then. What was I thinking?
August 3, 2010 at 8:18 am
LOVE that quote Mandy, that’s exactly what I was trying to get at. And saying I am beautiful is very hard – I think I rewrote that sentence about 5 times and still felt awkward posting it…I mean inside and out and all of us are and need to embrace that. And Mandy, too big is just not how I define you at all!
August 3, 2010 at 12:23 am
Practicing balance can be hard. I read this post just after eating about 10 almond chocolate chip cookies (at least they were small). They were delicious, but to balance, I won’t indulge tomorrow. Moderation is a good thing.
August 3, 2010 at 8:19 am
mmm cookies 😉 But you are right – so you had a few too many cookies but today you’ll balance that out. All good, right??
August 3, 2010 at 5:47 am
Balance is everything. It keeps me sane. We’re finally there. Only took how long? Yeah, I know. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that we achieved it at all…
So happy for you!
August 3, 2010 at 8:19 am
It keeps me sane too – it’s hard to keep balance sometimes, but I always come back to it and feel centered.
August 3, 2010 at 5:55 am
I’m all about balance, too. It’s difficult not only to find it, but then to maintain it as well. Sometimes just being aware and making the effort is half the battle. 🙂
August 3, 2010 at 8:20 am
Exactly – being aware of it and making the effort towards it are huge. I struggle with it like everyone does, but it’s a huge priority for me, so it’s worth it.
August 3, 2010 at 9:13 am
Just in case you were wondering? You are very beautiful. As pretty as the bitches on tv.
Balance. I crave it too. Unfortunately, my application of balance in my life seems to be hoping that the time I spend at the extreme ends of the spectrum average out to moderation…
😉
August 3, 2010 at 9:37 am
verybadcat – you are the sweetest and even though of course I didn’t post that to solicit such wonderful compliments, it made me smile..you too are a beaut – never forget that 🙂
August 3, 2010 at 10:38 am
I’m totally with you on the “everything in moderation” plan.
I’ve noticed the last couple years it’s been a lot harder to have the body I want (or am at least okay with) and I think it’s mostly due to stress and lack of sleep because I do still exercise regularly and eat well. So yes, if I could just find a way to balance the stress in my life the rest would surely fall in to place, right?
August 3, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Well Mindy, from your pics, I think you look fantastic, for what it’s worth 🙂 And it is a moderation thing – and I agree with you on the body thing – I don’t have the body I completely want, but everyone has problem areas, right??
August 3, 2010 at 11:34 am
Yes. YES. Exactly.
Balance is good!! Eat that cake! 🙂
August 3, 2010 at 12:36 pm
mmmmm cake 😉
August 3, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I’m balancing my life right now, chocolate chip cookies in one hand and a glass of milk in the other. hey it’s 2% not as bad as whole milk! hehe 🙂 I’m not sure what balance I have in my life… I need to think about that one. Maybe that’s my problem? But I’m a Gemini, we are very versatile. 🙂
August 3, 2010 at 2:08 pm
mmmm cookies 😉 you need some balance my friend but I know you are getting there, one day (and bite?) at a time! I could borrow some versatility…need that!
August 3, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I am always complaining about my weight. Not out load (or else BB would get sick of it) but in my head, when I try on clothes, there’s always those pesky ten pounds I could lose. But when I was rockin my bikini, I felt pretty damn hott. And there have been many, MANY times, in high school or college where I consistently compared myseld to other girls who were always skinner and hotter than me, and I look back at those pictures and think–what the FUCK was I thinking? I was sooo HOTT!!! So now, I try and remind myself that yeah, I could always lose 10 pounds, but I’m still pretty sexy and in 40 years I want to look back and remember it that way.
August 3, 2010 at 2:34 pm
LOVE this Erika – because let’s face it, you ARE HOT! 😉 But I totally agree – sometimes the skinniest look isn’t even a good look anyway, I’d rather have a few curves myself. Love it.
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August 5, 2010 at 12:42 pm
You are beautiful!
I wish I had balance, but I am the complete opposite of you in that sense. I have no self control when it comes to indulging myself (vacations, pizza, WINE!). I wish I could be a bit more balanced.
Then again… I did say this morning that Cali won’t work out this year but we can plan for next year! That was being “balanced”, no?
I’m crazy.
August 5, 2010 at 12:55 pm
And YOU are beautiful too my dear! Thank you, you’re the sweetest! Well I think IDing the need for more balance in either direction is a step in the right direction. And yes, choosing Cali next year (or Oregon!) IS a step towards balance, I’m with ya! woo!
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