To elaborate..Caution: Rant ahead!

"I know I post a lot about fitness, and I have even been told it is 'annoying'.  But when someone tells me I have inspired them to start building a better lifestyle all of the jerky people who are annoyed go out the window.  I will annoy a million people if it means I inspire one person to change their life.  So if you are annoyed, delete me, and go for a  run.  Chances are,  you are mad becauseyou have yet to commit and know you need to."  This is my Facebook status from this morning.  In the last week, I have gotten 3 private messages. The first, someone told me I 'inspired them'. The third was asking for fitness tips.  The second...The second one made me want to scream, and did make me cry.  The person, who I will leave anonymous, told me that my constant fitness posts were annoying.  That they were "tired of hearing about it."  They even went so far as to ask me, "Don't you worry about the impact this obsession will have on your children, most especially your daughter?"  Are. You. Freaking. Kidding. Me?! 
Let me start with the first part, about being annoying.  Have you ever inspired someone to do something?  Because lemme tell you, it is an amazing feeling. It is part of what drives me so hard. Have you ever set a goal, and not only reached it, but CRUSHED it?!  Knocked it out of the park?! DEMOLISHED IT?! Because, my friends, if you haven't..I strongly recommend it as #1 on your bucket list.  Don't just set the goal....Reach it. Then crush it.   THAT has brought me a feeling of power, confidence and self-acceptance that is beyond how I look. (Even though that is a nice side effect). This morning when I did a stiff legged dead lift with 70 pounds on my bar, knowing I could barely do 15 when I started...That makes me feel like a rockstar.  I **WANT EVERYONE** to feel like that!! So, annoy you I will. But if I am annoying you, look at YOUR life, and figure out why.  And if you can't start out with a run. IT may help you get it!
Now onto the part that I am absolutely furious about.  I am not trying to be mean. But obesity is an EPIDEMIC in this country. Fitness is not.  I dare bet it is uncommon to ask a person who struggles with weight if they are worried about the impact that their lifestyle will have on their children. Seriously. It is politically incorrect.   Here is what my daughter sees:  Her mom putting HEALTHY food into her body, CONSTANTLY fueling.  Her mom working hard to acheive a goal. Her mom having confidence.  Her mom having energy. Her mom NEVER using the words "fat" or "thin". (I have in the past, but these words are outlawed in my home). Opting instead to teach about strength, building muscle and endurance.  Using food as a fuel.  Making sure she knows ALL food is not the enemy. But some are, if you can't use moderation. Making sure she knows how to derive pleasure from things other than food.  Do I want my family to be obese? Heck. NO! Because it "looks bad"? Nope. Because it will kill them. In the words of Jamie Eason, (One of my inspirations), "Most diseases are caused by environment, genetics, and/or an unhealthy lifestyle.  You only really have control of one of those things. Take it." 

I am taking control. I am not losing weight or gaining muscle in an unhealthy manner. I have revamped how I view food, to a less common view, as fuel. Not my source of pleasure. (Except my cheat meals.)  But I eat all. the. time. 5 or 6 times a day. Seriously.  Now, because I don't gorge myself on pizza, chips and soda, I must be a fanatic. No. I am just someone who truly views my body as a TEMPLE.  That means taking care of the insde, as well as the outside. I am someone who wants to know that if illness comes along, I have done all I can to help fight it.  Oh, I also don't smoke, drink, and I *usually* get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. (assuming kids cooperate.) Sheesh, I really AM crazy.  How dare I teach my children a healthy lifestyle....