Recently I have decided that it is time for me to start working out again. I have noticed that upon doing this I have got a lot of dare I say criticism about my choice. Of course that doesn’t ever stop me from doing anything productive so I continue to do what I do, but it is weird. It seems if you begin a regimen to help better yourself and others haven’t (and think that maybe they should) you get a bit of grief about it. Here are the three things people have said to me in particular:

1. You’re thin! Why are you working out?! Ummm when did people get this idea that if you are thin that you do not need to work out?! That’s one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. How about I want to be in shape. In my teens and EARLY 20′s I noticed how I could do so much without getting tired. I could run at least a mile and I had great upper body strength. This was partially due to high school athletics. But once I got to college I worked out less and less. And when I did I could barely get through it which discouraged me from even trying. Recently, I saw some of the closest people to me were working out and how much it was doing for them, therefore, I knew it was time for me to get consistent and make some lifestyle changes. Even though I can eat whatever I want now and stay the same weight without exercise doesn’t mean it won’t eventually catch up to me later in life.

2. You are only working out because your boyfriend does! Granted my man was the person who urged me to workout the most. It is an active part of his daily life. However, Best Bup also works out, and so does The Close Confidant. I do spend a lot of time with my man so some of his habits rub off on me. However, I am a photographer therefore his interest in photography has increased. No one is frowning upon that. I can see if I picked up a bad habit from him. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with him being an influence on my decision to workout.

3. I can’t be sweating my hair out everyday! YUCK Honestly, ladies this was a HUGE reason why I hadn’t worked out in a while. I hated the thought of sweating my hair out everyday. And even when I would work out I would be so pissed because my hair would be ruined. And it is even WORSE because I have natural hair. However, one day the Close Confidant says to me, “Well at least your hair will look nice in your casket since you want to sacrifice your health to keep your hair looking nice.” That did it and I finally realized how stupid I sounded. I have now got a routine as far as how to care for my hair since I am working out. It is A TASK but it is well worth a healthy lifestyle. And Buppie women out there that work out any suggestions on how you maintain your hair are MORE THAN welcome in the comments section!

Bups, working out is essential to your future health. You may be in alright shape now but what shape is your body going to be in when you are 50? Your body is like a car. You can run it and put miles on it without the necessary maintenance. But as that car gets older you are going to see what all that wear and tear did to it plus the fact that you didn’t do a good job maintaining it.

Just something to think about.