I am back for the second part of this series to discuss the current label I am dealing with; being out of shape.

I have two older siblings who both were incredible athletes in high school. I was not. All through high school I remained in that awkward stage of growth where I was uncoordinated and not in shape.

My siblings ran track, I painted.

I dealt with a really difficult ideology of being less than because I was not in the same place as they were at my age. I saw athletic girls all around me and I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t get there. It should be easy for me to just go for a run at 17 right? I’m young, it’s what my body was made to do. But each time, I tried to run, I was left with the stinging reminder that I was not in shape for that.

I struggled with this for some time. I knew part of the reason I struggled was because I failed to implement the training to get to that place to start. I realized it was time to make a change. I needed to take care of my body more intentionally. I implemented a wellness system and began the journey to better fitness. Since that time I have completed two fitness challenges and lost several pounds.But I realized I still held to that label of not being in shape, not being a runner, not being fit.

Even though I had changed myself physically, I needed a mindset shift. So I tackled those labels head on. I started running. I realized the only thing that made you a runner, was running.

I am on week six of a couch to 5K program. I have never challenged myself more than running three times a week. But I am beginning to feel the shift. My goal is not to run marathons and get ripped, but to understand that my identity is not found in who I am not but not who I am. My identity is in the positive changes I am making for myself.

I am still not a runner. It is not my thing. The point of this was not to make myself into something I am not. I will use running as a tool to further my fitness level and keep after the goals I set forth, not as a measure of my own success and failure. I am proud of the mindset shift I have made.

I no longer feel trapped by labels given in fear and insecurity. Instead, I choose to see myself as whole.

I hope you feel inspired to make a change, not because you need to be something else, but because you deserve to be the best version of yourself. Not hung up on labels or where you think you should be, but authentically where you are.

XOXO, Madison