Thirtyfor30: Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do

It started as "I'm too fat I probably should do something to please the weighing scale!" I weighed 76kgs+ when I realized my health was going down the drain. I should start moving or else I'd die young from a heart disease just like many of my relatives. So in 2016, I tried and unsurprisingly, failed. The new year kicked in and I was excited to start my fitness journey all over again. But guess what, I failed for second time around. Giving up was the easiest part. I work in the food industry where bosses would casually buy us monster pizza, tin cans of ice cream, and bubbling sodas. My mantra used to be "Never say no to food!" You can only imagine how hard it was to implement the minutest change. But in April 2018, I spun my life around and started an endless journey of self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-care.

Years later, I no longer obsess with what the scale tells me. I'm more obsessed with how featherlight and rejuvenated I feel after every run or walk. How strong I feel whenever I refill the water dispenser without needing and looking like I need help from anyone. I'm obsessed with the energy that transcends my body whenever a guy at the gym tells me "That's too heavy for you!" but proceeds to lift the weights anyway. How peaceful I am deep within after a mindfulness practice.

This mindset taught me that I don't have to be the skinniest, leanest girl in town for me to stay on top of my health. Every opportunity to move actively is a celebration of the many things my body went through just to be where and what it is today. And I couldn't wait to celebrate for a lifetime! ❤