Tuesday 4 September 2012

A letter to the Fat girls


I read this on the 12WBT forums and it just resonates with me. We all know and can relate to the feelings of being inadequate, overwhelmed and scared. But We are powerful beyond measure.  We never know what we are capable of until we push our barriers of comfort, even if it’s just a little bit each day.

A letter to the Fat Girl
Hey, Fat Girl.
 Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.
 You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.
 You are awesome. If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in motion, in front of others.
 You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.
 You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back again.
You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a true inspiration.
 I bow to you.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Casey, I saw this on a completely different blog by an American girl I follow - it must b doing the rounds. I must admit I didn't really resonate with it all, because I am out there and proud and I don't care if i wobble and puff and look a bit dumb!! But i do love the saying about the start being the hardest bit. I honestly believe that and I am trying never to start over again - to just keep going!! Lovely to meet you at the World Vision fun run too! x

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    1. Hey Jane, Was great to met you too :)
      I'm of the thinking by the end of this round that this wont resonate with me too.
      I still care a little bit too much what people think but ill get past it and its not stopping me from getting out there

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