Soapbox

I don’t know quite what to say about this ad. Yes, I agree that obesity is a growing problem in the USA, however with the speeding descent of female self-image, there is a better way to encourage better lifestyle choices.

I want to know the research group that thought this was a good idea. Being a therapist by day, I read a lot of studies and articles about the dangers of female self-image and the increasing numbers of girls who battle eating disorders. Did these people not see the same article? 

Women are projected in media very differently than men. I will not get on my feminist soapbox, but we all know that the previous is true. There are much better ways to encourage girls (and boys too, but this ad is clearly targeted at girls) to be healthy and active without making them feel less. 

First, I suggest we, as a nation, support and advocate for better school lunches, encourage them to be active, and also let people know that healthy minds equal healthy bodies. 

I was not a heavy kid. I was always “bigger”, but I was tall. Once adolescences hit, I didn’t grow anymore and I started to gain weight. I think what we forget, is that we associate being overweight with an inability to do almost anything. 

This blog was started by girls, like the one in the ad. Just like her, we have a story. Never discount someone because of the body they have, give them a chance and you’ll be surprised. 

Everything I know, I learned in Kickboxing.

I started kickboxing about four years ago. I watched "Million Dollar Baby" with my best friend and decided that's what I was going to do. I had been very serious at that time about my fitness and health, but wanted something different. I went to a gym my friend, Bryan, had been going to and joined on the spot. 

My coach, Eric, is probably the best coach I've ever had in my life. The lessons I learned in the ring in his gym have carried into my day-to-day life.

1) My body can do anything, I am enough.

I have never had the self-esteem that I should. I don't often believe I can do something because of my weight, height, being a woman, etc. In the gym, everyone is the same. You body and your mind can get through whatever you tell it to. Don't believe the voice inside you that says you can't. It's lying, it's not even your voice. Outside the gym is the same. You are enough. You can do whatever you set your mind to do. Find the best, learn from them and work your bum off. 

2) Nothing comes easy, you have to work. 

I didn't get "good" at kickboxing, or considered part of Team Haycraft without putting in hours upon hours of work. Everyday, twice a day, watching what I ate, watching other fights, run before and after workouts. Nothing comes easy. You have to work. You'll earn your ranks, you'll earn respect. All of that comes with work. 

3). Work is hard. Growing hurts.

Going into a fight gym can be intimidating. Going into anything in life can be scary. It takes a lot of growing and trust. Sometimes I had to fake it until I got there. To get anywhere you have to grow, and it's painful. I remember the first horrible bruise I got at the gym. I got it from Eric. It hurt so bad, but I didn't give up. You can't give up when it hurts. The pain will cease, eventually.

4.) There will always be an obstacle. 

Let's face it, my weight has always held me back in life and in the gym. Everything from relationships to stepping into the ring, I hide behind it. Not afraid really of what would happen, more so afraid to fail. Learning all of the ends and outs of kickboxing is daunting. Sparring is hard and frustrating at times. There's always something to overcome, whether it be your confidence or your strength, or your inexperience. 

5) You will fail. Brush it off and learn from it. 

My team has seen it's fair share of failure. Lost titles, bad sparring days, struggles with making weight, all of it. It's okay to fail, really it's okay. You are not defined by the failures in your life, you are defined by what you've done in spite of failing. Yes, I have fallen on my face, or been hit in the face. Several times. You can't live in the failure, or you'll never see success. If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Get up and move on. 

There's tons more, lots of little and BIG lessons in my four years. It has shaped who I am today and how I face everything in my life. I'm approaching 30, making a lot of changes in my life and holding these truths I've learned close. Especially as I punch and kick my way to goal weight and life goals. 

Fitness Q & A: Lindsay Scheer

I admire the integrity and dedication of our next interview, Lindsay Scheer. Lindsay is, now, a professional Muay Thai fighter. We met when I joined Real Fighters back in 2006. She works harder than anyone and motivates everyone.

She's also incredibly talented and such a great person all around. I feel like myself, and the team, are better people and fighters because of her.

Here's what she had to say.

Amos:  Please introduce yourself. what you do, where you're from all that kind of stuff. 


Lindsay:My name is Lindsay Scheer. I have 2 jobs: I am a pediatric physical therapist and a Muay Thai Kickboxer…so that basically means I’m either with my kids or at the gym! I’m originally from Cincinnati, OH, but I’ve been living in Louisville, KY since 2003 when I came to the University of Louisville to play soccer. I transferred to Bellarmine University (a small Division 2 school in Louisville with an excellent PT program) and finished out my last 2 years of soccer eligibility and then continued there for graduate school. 


A:How did you get started as an athlete? How has that evolved into more than just a hobby?


L: I have been an athlete since I can remember. My parents got me started at a very young age just basically enjoying physical activity…I remember doing Gymboree classes with my mom, swim lessons, and of course starting rec soccer at about 4 years old. I also have an older brother and sister who were athletic, so I tried to keep up with them. I’ve done a variety of sports throughout my life, but the main ones have been soccer, gymnastics, and kickboxing. I would have to say that my athletics probably started to evolve into more than just hobbies when I was in eighth grade and I had to decide between pursuing soccer or gymnastics as I entered high school. At this time I had to evaluate which sport I had the most longevity in (I didn’t have the gymnast body type…I was about a foot taller than all of my teammates and I started to hit my feet on the uneven bars!) and came to the realization that I wanted to play soccer in college. In terms of kickboxing, I decided to pursue it more than recreation after I was finished playing soccer and trained for my first fight…I never thought I would have 30 fights and make it to being a professional fighter. 


A:A lot of people look for quick fixes, fad diets and such, what is your outlook on changing and maintaining a healthy diet? 


L:First off, I think that person needs to have a healthy outlook on who he/she is. As a fighter, my weight changes pretty drastically and at first, it was kind of difficult because I would weigh in and then want to stay close to the weigh in weight which is unrealistic, especially now as I’ve gotten denser and older! My actual weight is a lot heavier than what it appears. So I think that instead of focusing on a number, the person needs to focus on being healthy. I think once the concern is to be active and eat right, and not to stand on a scale, that person can relax and the pounds will start to shed. I also think that the person should make activity goals and “eating goals”…not weight goals. That is not to say that he/she should not chart the progress on a scale, but don’t put all the stock into the numbers! 

A:I can speak personally and say that there have been spells of lack of motivation, what keeps you motivated to maintain and progress? 


L:Honestly, I love what I do and that keeps me motivated. That is not to say that there are not days that I want to sit on the couch and eat oreos, but there is a time and place for that also. I think the most important thing to think about is that it gets harder the longer you wait to get started or take a break. Consistency is the most important thing when it comes to working out, and so even on the days I may not feel 100% motivated, I just tell myself to get in there and do something….something is better than nothing, and once you get the ball rolling, you may do more than you planned! Also, it is important to find some type of activity you like to do…that will make you more likely to stick with it!


A:How has being a female in a sports influenced your performance? 


L: I get asked that question a lot…especially considering I am a kickboxer. I have found that a great number of people have a hard time comprehending a female in a combat sport…even though it is 2011! However, I have always given the same answer no matter what sport I am participating in: I try very hard not to think of myself as a female in my sports…I think of myself as an athlete and a teammate – that way I am not holding myself to anyone’s standards but my own!


A:What other words of wisdom can you give our readers to encourage their growth and success in this type of lifestyle change? 


L:That it is just that…a lifestyle change! In order to make it work and achieve your goals, you have to be ready to make changes in your day to day life

Thank you so much, Lindsay for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer questions. It really inspires our readers to hear your story.