"STRONG IS BEAUTIFUL!"

This week's post comes to us from a new follower / reader Chelsea W. in Pennsylvania.

I'm not sure I can say it any better than she has in her letter (email) below.

And I'm not sure that I can say it to WOMEN better than a WOMAN as evidenced below.

The neverending myths and misconceptions from women are "I don't want to weigh more" (even though weighing "more" after losing body fat and adding muscle is better than weighing the same or less and still carrying too much body fat) and "I don't want to get muscles like a man" as an illogical response to using free-weights of at least a moderate weight to then add muscle that will sculpt and tone and burn calories even while not active and increase the attractiveness-factor.

IT'S NOT THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE, IT'S THE COMPOSITION OF THE BODY.

Listen to Chelsea:

Your Name: Chelsea

Subject: Strong is beautiful!

Message: I was browsing "weightlifting" on cafepress.com when I came across "haveastrongday.com". I was so inspired and encouraged by your words and your thoughts.

I am a twenty-year old female. I did a lot of moving while growing up and at the end of my freshman year of high school was introduced to the gym scene. I had never played/grown up around sports, and the most activity I got was walking. My aunt took me to the gym two times with her, and introduced me to weightlifting (machines). I went to the gym every day from that day on for 300 days straight.

As a beginner, progress happened quickly and kept me motivated. Five and a half years later, I have become absolutely enveloped in building, sculpting, toning and taking care of my body. I grew up with a beautiful older sister with an incredible body (that's never been worked for, just natural), who never had a problem with guys. I am bigger boned and built nothing like my sister, or my thin brother. I struggled internally with self-image and finding beauty in myself.

I found my niche, my home, and my comfort at the gym. No matter what gym it was, I felt so powerful and beautiful. A few years ago I achieved a lot, and was able to bench press 105% of my body weight. My first day of college freshman year I was in that gym the day it opened. No intimidation, no questions. It's just where I belong.

I took up teaching aerobics for three semesters while at college, and found that quite fulfilling, too.

Since then, I have gone through a lot of life changes (relationships, family, education).

With my love of the gym and my body has come a complete attitude makeover, as I live my life by two things:

1) Each day is a chance to start over
2) Strong is beautiful!

I ran across your site and have just been absolutely inspired knowing that somebody out there shares my PASSION! I also am a huge fan of Thoreau/Emerson/Transcendentalism and had to smile when I saw a quote in one of your posts.

Just wanted to let you know that I am across the country in PA but you inspire me and keep me strong. I know there are people out there that understand my "obsession" and my power of positive thinking.

Keep it going. Stay strong!

Chelsea

Thank you Chelsea for following, contributing and being a great example.

Others are watching you and they WILL be impacted by your commitment even if not right away.  Sooner or later they will.  They won't have a choice otherwise.  Just simply doing what you say you will do sets you apart from 90% of the people out there who don't follow through.

We will keep it going. 

And we will stay strong.

That's it for now.

Carpe diem.

Have a strong day.

Bravo out.