Loving Your Body
I recently read this article written by a USC volleyball player named Victoria Garrick, where she discussed how she learned to love her body as an athlete. This has inspired me to share my story on gaining self confidence and loving your body for what it is.
Growing up I was the tall skinny one. Many of my friends were never as skinny as I was and always shared with me how they longed for my body. I would always think to my self why in the world would they want to be as skinny as me. If we take a look at what society has defined as "beautiful", it creates this want for this body that many of us are not. When you think of women as society defines it we don't think of words like strong, competitive or athletic. You think of words more like skinny, sexy, delicate, and soft. We are taught by the media and by the culture of todays society that we as women are supposed to carry this certain persona that as an athlete may contradict it.
I began playing volleyball at the age of 6 and fell in love with the game. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to pursue volleyball at a high level in college. Sharing that with many coaches and mentors I always heard the same thing, "you need to get stronger and build some muscle if you want to get that far". Once I hit middle school my body began to change. The lower half of my body started to get bigger and stronger. I went from a size 00 to a size 5 in a matter of 2 years. Even though I had gotten a little bigger I was still considered skinny. I continued to work towards my goal of making it to a collegiate volleyball program.
As I got to CSUN my body had changed before my very eyes. I met with the athletic nutritionist during the summer before my first fall semester and we set up a nutrition plan for my self that I try to follow till this day. Before our season had started we were lifting four times a week, and were doing many lifts that my body was not used to in high school. Four months into the school year I had taken my weight and found that I had gained over 15 pounds. I was very concerned so I went to the doctors to see if their was something wrong. I was so confused because I had been exercising more and eating better. My doctor came to the conclusion that majority of what i gained was most likely muscle.
Once he had shared that with me, I had one of those moments where I realized I am a Division one athlete. I am supposed to be big and muscular and strong. That is what we as athletes strive for. I have learned to love the process of lifting and gaining that muscle weight, and all the beautiful stretch marks that come with it. No matter what shape or size your body is, I have learned that as long as you are exercising, eating right, and living a healthy life, you shouldn't be concerned with your body. You are Healthy, Happy and Humble, thats all that you can ask for.
Growing up I was the tall skinny one. Many of my friends were never as skinny as I was and always shared with me how they longed for my body. I would always think to my self why in the world would they want to be as skinny as me. If we take a look at what society has defined as "beautiful", it creates this want for this body that many of us are not. When you think of women as society defines it we don't think of words like strong, competitive or athletic. You think of words more like skinny, sexy, delicate, and soft. We are taught by the media and by the culture of todays society that we as women are supposed to carry this certain persona that as an athlete may contradict it.I began playing volleyball at the age of 6 and fell in love with the game. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to pursue volleyball at a high level in college. Sharing that with many coaches and mentors I always heard the same thing, "you need to get stronger and build some muscle if you want to get that far". Once I hit middle school my body began to change. The lower half of my body started to get bigger and stronger. I went from a size 00 to a size 5 in a matter of 2 years. Even though I had gotten a little bigger I was still considered skinny. I continued to work towards my goal of making it to a collegiate volleyball program.
Once he had shared that with me, I had one of those moments where I realized I am a Division one athlete. I am supposed to be big and muscular and strong. That is what we as athletes strive for. I have learned to love the process of lifting and gaining that muscle weight, and all the beautiful stretch marks that come with it. No matter what shape or size your body is, I have learned that as long as you are exercising, eating right, and living a healthy life, you shouldn't be concerned with your body. You are Healthy, Happy and Humble, thats all that you can ask for.
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