Not Everybody Understands…

When I first began my fitness journey (almost two and a half years ago) I was very private about my account. At first I used my Instagram as an online journal to keep myself accountable and also to seek motivation from other Instagrammers. However, nobody who knew me personally knew about my fitness account. Simply because nobody understood my motives. Most people saw my new lifestyle as a phase and that I was simply working out because I was too ‘vain’? I mean, that’s why most people workout right?! Rubbish.

So, because of the backlash I recieved from individuals I decided to keep my Instagram and soon to be blog, private. And I did for almost two years. It wasn’t until earlier this year when people I knew personally started finding my fitness account and blog. At the time, my heart stopped. I knew they wouldn’t understand the lifestyle or being committed to 6am workouts nor would they understand why I was lifting weights – “they make you manly?” Would be the comments I would receive. They also wouldn’t understand the motivation and long captions I give my followers. To them it wouldn’t make sense and I knew it. However, what a lot of people don’t understand about my Instagram is that I use it as another form of blogging. Hence the motivation, the real talk, the fitness updates, the food posts, the honesty etc… It really is just a fitness diary – unlike how other’s use Instagram (using it only for uploading pictures).

Now, the point of this post is because many people I know personally have been asking after my blog (for quite some time, too). I quickly try to brush it off saying that I like to keep it private although it’s far from the truth. The reason I tend to keep my blog and social media accounts hush hush is because the people who don’t have social media or aren’t aware of the massive fitness community online probably will not understand my account and unless you’re a part of that community then it’s quite hard to understand. Think of it being a football account (ok, bare with me)… A football account would be set up to inform it’s audience, to keep them up to date, to entertain and quite simply, talk all things football. Now, turn that into a fitness account and bam, it’s purpose is the same.

So, that’s the problem. People from the outside world simply do not understand. And over these past few months it’s something I’ve been trying to explain to others why I’m shy of my account to the ‘real world’ and what it’s really all about. No, it isn’t about a girl doing cardio. No, it isn’t about pretty food posts. No, it isn’t about just posing for the camera. Every single image I post has a purpose. Let me explain…

Food – I like to show my followers what a realistic diet looks like for somebody whose into their fitness and also what a balanced diet actually looks like. Gone are the days I used to believe in low carb diets and restricting myself from cookies, pizza etc…

‘Selfies’ – After my workouts I will most probably take a post workout picture. Sweaty, energised and real. I talk about the particular workout I done that day, the intensity etc and then I try to provide motivation for others to do the same. The latter part may seem unusual but it’s amazing how many people seek motivation online! The photo itself also acts as a progress photo so I can look back on it in a couple of weeks. Progress photos are so important!

Quotes – I love myself a good quote! Inspirational, motivating and powering. To me, when I see a relevant quote at the beginning of my day (or whenever really) it really does help push me on through. Nobody has easy days – it’s about making it work!

Updates – It’s called a journey for a reason. If you didn’t know already then I’m currently going through a bulk in order to gain some muscle and slightly change my body shape. To me, it’s important to strip the myth that women workout to be ‘skinny’. Women should be any shape they desire and by no means should they workout in a particular style. Anyway, on my media accounts I like to keep my followers up to date with my fitness journey – the highs, the lows… everything. I would like to think that i’m known to be very honest about my journey, something of which I think you guys like (I hope!).

Workouts – I love sharing the workouts I do on my account. I’m probably known for the hideous HIIT sessions but I also post weight lifting workouts too (mainly in the caption). It shows my followers the exact workouts I’m doing and for how long too.

Although I now try to live by the attitude of not caring what other people think… sometimes it’s hard. BUT, i’m just honest. I’m open about why i’m hush hush of people I know personally getting a hold of my account but I’m also honest about my fitness lifestyle if they do. However, the more people find my account the easier it gets. I no longer hide, nor do I get embarrassed. HECK, what’s to be embarrassed about? Own it.

So, next time you have somebody questioning your blog or simply being intrigued by it then just be honest. Be honest about how it makes you feel exposing your blog to others and then explain what your blog is/does. Like I said earlier… some people won’t understand. But at the end of the day, just own it. Be proud, be honest, and be true to yourself. And for those who have anything negative to say… cya.

PS, wearing: Pink Soda Sport

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